Israeli men's basketball team in limbo as worried foreign players stay abroad

04.12.2023 - 21:25 channelnewsasia.com

JERUSALEM :Its season delayed by war for two months, Israel's professional basketball league tips off on Monday but Hapoel Jerusalem was scrambling to field a team after its seven foreign players chose not to return because of the security situation.The season began on Oct.

6 but was delayed when the next day Palestinian Hamas gunmen attacked Israel, triggering a war in the Gaza Strip. Security officials gave the OK to resume play in arenas with no more than 1,000 people - players, fans and media.

Hapoel's November "home" games in the European Basketball Champions League (BCL) were held behind closed doors in Belgrade, where rival Maccabi Tel Aviv plays its EuroLeague contests.

Hapoel has posted a 3-1 record in BCL play and needs one more victory to move to the next stage.With its Israeli season due to begin on Tuesday, all of Hapoel's players planned to fly back last week.

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