Oz Blazer arrived just in time

Winner League Basket 20-21

Moshe Barda 12/02/2021 07:00

Oz Blazer and Maccabi players in a frenzy (Itzik Blanitzky)

Shouts of joy were with Maccabi Tel Aviv last night (Thursday) after the huge comeback against Hapoel Holon on the way to 85:87 after extra time on the way to the state cup final. Yannis Sapropoulos’ side are already 17 points behind in the quarter to fourth, but thanks to the great ability of Oz Blazer, who shouted to team manager Ami Bitton after the game “this is why I am here”, the double champion’s double dream is still alive and well.

At Maccabi, Maoz Blazer rejoiced and noted his plus-minus index, which stood at +16 in a game that ended with a difference of two points. Maccabi Tel Aviv started the game better and even managed to complete an 11: 0 run in the first quarter, which showed that the third meeting this season between the parties will be completely different from its predecessors.

The national champion’s good start was met with a response from the Purple Yellows, which led Yannis to shout at John Dibertolomao during a timeout “You are not here”, the guard who at the end of the game actually received compliments for his defensive work, was not the only one to receive criticism. Time Yannis asked his players to be more patient, and in addition commented to them on their extensions as well.

“On a bad day we managed to beat a good team,” Maccabi said after the game. In the aforementioned team, Blazer was complimented, in addition to which Scotty Wilbkin also won praise: “He did not force anything”, and concluded regarding the guard who scored all his points in the second half and in overtime that beyond his responsibility in keeping himself from committing his fifth offense, he is one of the factors The main three-pointers of Yuval Sussman since Wilbkin who moved the ball great received a lot of attention from the defense of Hapoel Holon which helped Yuval.

Maccabi players in a frenzy (Itzik Belnitsky)

Sussman has been in a great period recently, and he seems to have completely removed the (expected and legitimate) rust that has accumulated in him after a long absence from the pitches. “Zus”, just like Scotty, Oz and John was there for Yannis Sapropoulos in the critical moments of the game which he finished with 13 points, 8 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals and the second-minus plus index in the team (9+).

After the game he said Oz laser: “It could be that on the outside we looked broken, no matter what the difference we keep trying, we lowered the pressure level, played our basketball, went into a frenzy and the baskets went in. We made the turnaround and took the game. I always believe, my goal is to take degrees, no matter what I come to do it. I came here for degrees and I will do anything for it. This is not our usual style, should give credit to the team that made a match, what was on the field less worked. We made an adjustment to Holon and it worked out better for us. We are used to this load, we were not tired. “

Oz Blazer and Maccabi players in a frenzy (Itzik Blanitzky)

He added: “Our goal was to stop them in any way possible, everyone knows what an offensive group they are. We were not sharp enough on offense and that affected our defense. For me I do not have to prove anything to anyone. I know what I’m worth and what I can do. I have full faith in myself, the team has faith in me, I do not have to prove anything to anyone. We have a task in the final, it will be no easy game, I hope there will be an audience there. I only have one goal in front of my eyes. “