Basketball in Europe just isn't the same as it was a few years ago. If you’ve been following the EuroLeague lately, you know exactly what I’m talking about. The 2025-26 season has been an absolute fever dream for fans, and right at the center of the chaos is the burgeoning feud between Hapoel Tel Aviv vs Valencia Basket.
It’s personal now. Honestly, you can’t look at these two teams without thinking about that heart-stopping EuroCup semifinal in April 2025. Hapoel basically stole Valencia's soul in their own building, the Pabellón Fuente de San Luis. Marcus Foster hit a jumper with 2.7 seconds left in Game 3 to send Hapoel to their first-ever final. Valencia fans haven't forgotten. Neither has the team.
Why this matchup is so different in 2026
Fast forward to today, January 16, 2026. Both teams have graduated. Hapoel IBI Tel Aviv is no longer the "surprise" newcomer; they are currently sitting at the top of the EuroLeague standings with a 14-6 record. Valencia Basket isn't far behind at 14-7.
When Hapoel Tel Aviv vs Valencia Basket met earlier this season in October 2025 at the brand-new Roig Arena, it was another bloodbath. Hapoel walked away with a 100-93 win. Vasilije Micic, Hapoel's marquee signing, looked like a cheat code with 24 points and 6 assists. On the other side, Valencia’s Omari Moore tried to play hero ball with 22 points, but it wasn't enough to stop the Israeli powerhouse.
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The X-Factors: Who actually controls the floor?
You've got to look at the rosters to understand the shift. Hapoel went out and spent money. Real money. Bringing in Micic was a statement. But the glue? That's Elijah Bryant. He's currently leading the team in Performance Index Rating (PIR) at 19.9. He does everything—rebounding, defending the perimeter, and hitting clutch free throws.
Valencia’s identity is different. It’s more "spread the wealth." Pedro Martinez, who was the 2024-25 EuroCup Coach of the Year, has turned them into an assist machine. Jean Montero is the spark plug there. He's younger, faster, and kinda fearless when driving into the paint against bigs like Johnathan Motley.
- Hapoel's Strength: Elite individual shot-making. When the clock is winding down, they have three different guys who can create their own bucket.
- Valencia's Strength: Ball movement. They currently rank 2nd in the league in total assists. They don't want to beat you with one guy; they want to beat you with 15 passes.
- The Injury Cloud: Tyler Ennis is out for Hapoel after tearing his Achilles earlier this month. That’s a massive blow to their rotation depth.
Hapoel Tel Aviv vs Valencia Basket: The Tactical War
If you’re a betting person or just a stats nerd, the upcoming rematch on February 5, 2026, at the Menora Mivtachim Arena is the one to circle. Hapoel is averaging 87.9 points per game. Valencia is actually scoring more at 90.3, but their defense is slightly more porous.
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The game usually comes down to the glass. In their last meeting, Valencia actually out-rebounded Hapoel 36-32, but they turned the ball over 13 times compared to Hapoel's 11. In a game decided by two or three possessions, those "small" mistakes feel like mountains.
What to watch for next
Most people get it wrong—they think this is just another regional rivalry. It's not. This is a battle for the top seed in the EuroLeague playoffs. If Hapoel wins the next one, they effectively clinch a tiebreaker over Valencia that could be the difference between home-court advantage or traveling to Spain for a do-or-die Game 5.
Here is how you should prep for the next chapter of Hapoel Tel Aviv vs Valencia Basket:
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- Watch the Point Guard Battle: Micic vs Montero. It’s the grizzled veteran against the rising star.
- Check the Injury Report: Monitor Hapoel's bench to see how they fill the 20 minutes Ennis usually provided.
- Focus on the Third Quarter: Hapoel has a habit of "exploding" in the third. In October, they dropped 31 points in that frame alone.
Don't just look at the final score. Look at the transition defense. Valencia needs to stop Hapoel from running after misses if they want any chance of cooling down the hottest team in Europe.
Keep an eye on the EuroLeague official site for ticket drops if you're planning to be in Tel Aviv this February. These games sell out in minutes because, let's be real, it's currently the best show in town.
Next Steps for Fans:
Track the live box score on the EuroLeague mobile app during the February 5th game to see if Valencia employs a zone defense against Micic early on. You can also re-watch the October 2025 highlights on EuroLeague TV to see how Hapoel exploited the pick-and-roll coverage.