Stinging Itoudis? Hapoel Tel Aviv chairman: "This is not a B team"

Hapoel Tel Aviv chairman Stav Shacham published a sharp post following the 86:75 loss to Maccabi Tel Aviv in the Winner Cup final, with jabs seemingly aimed at coach Dimitris Itoudis: "This is not a local league, this is not a B team, this is not a development league!" The remarks come against the backdrop of Itoudis' proposal for farm teams in the local league and his response to the trophy drought.

The dramatic loss of Hapoel Tel Aviv to Maccabi Tel Aviv in the Winner Cup final, 86:75, after squandering a 23-point lead, continues to stir up a storm at the club. Chairman Stav Shacham published a sharp post this morning (Tuesday) following the loss, with words interpreted as a jab at coach Dimitris Itoudis. Shacham wrote: "I am sad this morning, sad for our amazing fans who filled the stands in the final yesterday. This is not a 'local league', this is not a B team, this is not a development league!" The remarks come after Itoudis suggested that Euroleague teams establish farm teams in local leagues, and when asked about Hapoel's trophy drought, he replied: "I wasn't here 33 years ago, so let's not make a story out of it." Hapoel Tel Aviv has not won a championship since 1969 and a significant local title since the State Cup in 1993. Although Shacham did not mention Itoudis by name, the similarity between the statements raises questions about the gaps in approach between the two.