The EuroLeague opened its 2026-27 campaign with a thriller at the Belgrade Arena, where Hapoel Tel Aviv escaped with an 81-80 road victory over Crvena Zvezda Belgrade on September 30, 2026. It was a one-possession game for virtually the entire second half, and the visitors' composure in the final minute proved the difference in a Round 1 result that immediately reshapes the early-season conversation in the standings.

Match Overview

Crvena Zvezda controlled the opening minutes in front of a loud home crowd, using their interior size to score early and often inside the paint. Hapoel Tel Aviv weathered that first push, settled into a half-court rhythm behind their guards, and turned a five-point deficit into a narrow lead by halftime. From there, neither side led by more than six points, and the lead changed hands nine times after the break.

• Final score: Crvena Zvezda Belgrade 80, Hapoel Tel Aviv 81
• Venue: Belgrade Arena, Belgrade
• Competition: EuroLeague, Round 1
• Quarter breakdown: 21-18, 19-23, 22-19, 18-21

Key Moments

The game's defining sequence came in the last 90 seconds. Trailing 79-77, Hapoel Tel Aviv forced a turnover near midcourt and converted it into a transition layup to level the score. After a Zvezda free throw restored a one-point home lead, the visitors ran a high ball screen and found an open look from beyond the arc with 11 seconds remaining. The shot dropped, putting Hapoel ahead 81-80 and silencing the arena.

Crvena Zvezda had one final possession, but a contested mid-range jumper rimmed out as the buzzer sounded. It was a cruel finish for a home side that had led for nearly 24 minutes of game time and had out-rebounded its opponent on the night.

Tactical Story

Crvena Zvezda's plan was clear: pound the ball inside, draw fouls, and control the defensive glass. They succeeded for long stretches, generating second-chance points and keeping Hapoel out of transition. The problem was perimeter shooting — Zvezda finished the night cold from three-point range, which allowed Hapoel to pack the paint and dare the hosts to shoot over the top.

Hapoel Tel Aviv, meanwhile, leaned on ball movement and guard penetration. Their offense stalled whenever the pace slowed to a crawl, but in the fourth quarter they found a counter: attacking the switch, kicking out to shooters, and trusting their bench to hold the defensive line. That adjustment produced the open look that decided the game.

Standout Performers

• Yam Madar (Hapoel Tel Aviv): A team-high 20 points, including the go-ahead three, plus four assists in a composed road performance.
• Johnathan Motley (Hapoel Tel Aviv): 16 points and nine rebounds, giving the visitors a reliable interior presence against a bigger front line.
• Marcus Foster (Crvena Zvezda): 18 points on efficient shooting, carrying the offense through a difficult third quarter.
• Joel Bolomboy (Crvena Zvezda): 12 points and 10 rebounds, anchoring the paint and finishing with a team-best plus-minus.

What It Means

For Hapoel Tel Aviv, this is the kind of road win that builds belief early in a long EuroLeague season. Stealing a game in one of the loudest arenas in Europe is a statement, and it gives the club immediate momentum in the standings table. For Crvena Zvezda, the loss is a reminder that in a competition decided by fine margins, home games against direct rivals are precious. The Serbian side will look back at missed free throws and a quiet perimeter night as the difference between 1-0 and 0-1.