Hapoel Jerusalem Faces San Pablo Burgos in Crucial EuroCup Away Clash
Hapoel Jerusalem visits San Pablo Burgos in the EuroCup on Wednesday seeking to maintain its perfect group record. The Reds face a tough away test without injured players Jared Harper and Gabi Chachashvili.
Hapoel Jerusalem's European campaign continues on Wednesday at 21:30 when the Reds face San Pablo Burgos at the Coliseum in Burgos. Jerusalem currently leads its group with two wins from two games, while the Spanish side holds a 1-1 record.
The team flew to Madrid on Monday afternoon before taking a bus to Burgos. They will hold their final training session tonight, accompanied by video sessions focusing on correcting recent mistakes and preparing for the Spanish opponent.
Preparing for a Tough Away Clash
Having gained valuable experience over two strong seasons in the EuroCup, the Reds know that an away game in Spain is always a difficult hurdle. Jerusalem's primary goal will be to control the tempo and shut down Burgos's star guard and leading scorer, DJ Steward.
In terms of roster availability, Jerusalem is dealing with two significant absences. Jared Harper will continue to miss action for at least another month and a half, while Gabi Chachashvili recently sprained his ankle and will be sidelined in the near term.
Scouting the Spanish Opponent
"We know the challenge awaiting us in Spain, but our focus remains on playing our game and maintaining control from the opening tip," team staff noted ahead of the matchup.
Burgos has emerged as a rising force in Spanish basketball and aims to secure a spot in the Round of 16. The team is coached by 61-year-old Porfi Fisac, a veteran of the Spanish League who also won a bronze medal coaching Senegal at the AfroBasket.
Key players to watch include Serbian center Balša Koprivica, German backup big man Christian Sengfelder, Slovenian guard Žiga Samar, and French-Guinean forward Sekou Doumbouya.