Real Madrid takes 2-0 EuroLeague playoff lead over Hapoel Tel Aviv; Itoudis vows to avoid sweep

Key facts

• Real Madrid leads the best-of-five series 2-0 after a 102-75 home win.
• Hapoel Tel Aviv's coach Dimitris Itoudis said his team was competitive for only 20 minutes.
• Real Madrid's second unit scored 60 points.
• Real Madrid is the only team in EuroLeague Playoffs history to overcome a 0-2 deficit.
• Real Madrid played without center Edy Tavares, who was absent but sent a message of support.
• Game 3 and potential Game 4 will be played in Botevgrad, Bulgaria.
• Real Madrid has won 11 EuroLeague titles; Hapoel Tel Aviv has none.
• All four EuroLeague playoff series are currently 2-0.

Real Madrid dominates second half to take commanding series lead

Real Madrid secured a 102-75 victory over Hapoel Tel Aviv in Game 2 of their EuroLeague playoff series, taking a 2-0 lead as the action shifts to Botevgrad for the next two games. The Spanish side, playing without star center Edy Tavares, used a dominant second half to pull away after a tightly contested first half. Hapoel Tel Aviv led early and stayed close through the first two quarters, but Real Madrid's depth and pressure proved decisive after the break. The hosts' second unit alone contributed 60 points, overwhelming the Israeli visitors.

Itoudis laments 20-minute performance, vows to fight on

Hapoel head coach Dimitris Itoudis acknowledged his team's inconsistency after the loss. “We have witnessed two different teams in the first and second half. In the first, we were composed, focused on the game plan, and managed to take the lead in such a close game. The third quarter cost us a lot,” he said. Itoudis pointed to Real Madrid's defensive pressure on Hapoel's ball handlers and denied entry passes as key factors. “They put a lot of pressure on our ball creators, denied entry passes, and we couldn’t sustain that, offensively and defensively,” he added. Despite the 0-2 deficit, Itoudis insisted his team would not surrender. “We don’t want to be swept. We have proved in many cases that we can compete. We need to extend those 20 minutes to 40 minutes and stay competitive.”

Scariolo praises team's response without Tavares, warns against complacency

Real Madrid coach Sergio Scariolo expressed satisfaction with the win but stressed the need for focus. “We are in a good position, but we still need one more win. In the playoffs, winning by a little or a lot doesn't change much,” he said. Scariolo sent a message of support to Tavares, who was absent from the game. “He has been present, even in his absence. His teammates made an extra effort to make up for the great void he leaves.” Scariolo noted that his team's defensive intensity improved in the second half. “In the first half, our defensive intensity was a bit inconsistent. We had good moments and bad moments. In the second half, we were more consistent and constant, and we were also able to utilize the good physical condition we came in with.” He cautioned that the series is not over: “We are up 2-0, but here 3-0 is what counts. Stranger things have been seen, so we need to keep our heads fully in this playoff.”

Historic context: Real Madrid's comeback pedigree and Hapoel's uphill battle

Real Madrid is the only team in EuroLeague Playoffs history to come back from a 0-2 deficit in a series, a fact that underscores the difficulty Hapoel faces. The Spanish club boasts 11 EuroLeague trophies and decades of experience at the highest level, while Hapoel Tel Aviv is a relative newcomer to this stage. Itoudis acknowledged the disparity in pedigree. “Real Madrid has 11 EuroLeague trophies and dozens of other trophies, playing at home, while we are moving here and there,” he said, referencing the series' relocation to Botevgrad due to security concerns. “We are coming from different standpoints — not an excuse, but it’s different to have this kind of experience.”

Series shifts to neutral venue; Hapoel seeks home-court advantage

The best-of-five series now moves to Botevgrad, Bulgaria, for Game 3 and, if necessary, Game 4. Hapoel Tel Aviv will effectively play on a neutral court, but the change of scenery offers a chance to reset. Itoudis expressed hope that his team can extend its competitive stretches. “I cannot describe exactly what we need to do, but we need to extend those 20 minutes — if you want to beat Real Madrid, it’s not enough,” he said. Real Madrid, meanwhile, aims to close out the series as quickly as possible. Scariolo emphasized the importance of maintaining focus: “We know they have a lot of talent and scoring ability. We need to keep our heads fully in this playoff.”

EuroLeague playoff landscape: all series at 2-0

Across the EuroLeague playoffs, all four series stand at 2-0. Fenerbahce leads Zalgiris, Olympiacos leads Monaco, Panathinaikos leads Valencia, and Real Madrid leads Hapoel Tel Aviv. No team has yet secured a spot in the Final Four, but the commanding leads suggest a potential sweep in some matchups. For Hapoel Tel Aviv, avoiding a sweep would require a historic turnaround. Real Madrid's depth and experience, even without Tavares, pose a formidable challenge. The series continues in Botevgrad, where Hapoel will look to force a Game 4 and keep its season alive.

The bottom line

• Real Madrid leads 2-0 after a 102-75 win; Game 3 is in Botevgrad.
• Hapoel coach Itoudis says his team was only competitive for 20 minutes and must extend that to 40.
• Real Madrid played without Edy Tavares; his teammates compensated with extra effort.
• Real Madrid is the only EuroLeague team to rally from 0-2 down in a playoff series.
• All four EuroLeague playoff series are currently 2-0, with no team yet advancing.
• Hapoel Tel Aviv aims to avoid a sweep and force a Game 4 on neutral ground.