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HAPOEL TEL AVIV guard Vasilije Micic sparked a series comeback against Maccabi Rishon Lezion and now will lead the Reds in the semifinals vs Hapoel Jerusalem. (photo credit: YEHUDA HALICKMAN)
Hapoel Tel Aviv and Hapoel Jerusalem’s semifinal opener was halted after three quarters, as fans were evacuated following updated Home Front Command restrictions.
An Israeli Basketball Premier League semifinal game between Hapoel Tel Aviv and Hapoel Jerusalem was stopped before the fourth quarter Sunday night after the Home Front Command tightened nationwide security restrictions amid the escalating security situation.
The first game in the semifinal series was halted after three quarters due to concerns over possible launches from Iran.
Referees stopped play before the beginning of the fourth quarter, and fans were asked to leave the arena.
The Home Front Command announced Sunday night that Israel would move to a restricted activity policy nationwide from 10 p.m. Sunday until 8 p.m. Monday.
Under the updated guidelines, educational activities may not take place. Gatherings are limited to 200 people outdoors and 500 people indoors, provided participants can reach a standard protected space within the required time. Beaches are closed to the public.
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VASILIJE MICIC (22) and Yam Madar helped Hapoel Tel Aviv force a decisive Game 3 against Maccabi Rishon Lezion in their quarterfinals series (credit: JOSHUA HALICKMAN)
Officials evacuate crowd, follow Home Front Command protocol
Workplaces may continue operating only in locations where employees can reach a standard protected space during an alert.
The decision immediately affected one of the most high-profile sporting events taking place in Israel on Sunday night.
Hapoel Tel Aviv and Hapoel Jerusalem were opening their best-of-three semifinal playoff series, with a place in the Israeli league finals at stake.
The matchup is one of the marquee series of the Israeli basketball postseason. Hapoel Tel Aviv entered the playoffs as one of the league’s leading contenders, while Hapoel Jerusalem has been a regular presence in the later stages of Israeli basketball in recent years.
David Bassan, CEO of the Israeli Basketball Premier League, said the crowd was being evacuated and that the final quarter would continue.
“We are evacuating the crowd and continuing the final quarter,” Bassan said.
Before the decision was made, Hapoel Tel Aviv coach Dimitris Itoudis was heard questioning the stoppage.
The difficulties of holding major public events during heightened levels of security
“The momentum is with us. I don’t understand much about security matters. Is there an air raid siren? So why are you stopping the game? This is why we came back, to compete for a championship,” Itoudis said.
The incident came one year after the war with Iran disrupted the Israeli basketball championship series between Maccabi Tel Aviv and Hapoel Jerusalem, which had been tied 1-1 when play was stopped. That interruption left the league dealing with one of the most unusual endings to a basketball season in Israeli sports history.
Sunday’s stoppage again highlighted the difficulty of holding major public events during periods of heightened security tension, especially indoor games with thousands of fans in attendance.
The Home Front Command instructed the public to continue following official updates and guidance.
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