Jerusalem Volcano

May 17, 2012

Monday, February 08, 2010

Jerusalem Volcano

Yuval Naimy - Hapoel Jerusalem (Photo: Hapoel Jerusalem)

Hello everyone, glad to be back writing to all of you! It's easy to be in a good mood before our flight to Kazan..lol.. I would like first to pay tribute to our fans and let it be a friendly warning to everyone that is coming to play on Jerusalem against us. Last week's game against Galatasaray was tough, two exciting offensive-minded teams battling it out for a win. I know that the 100-87 result seems to show that we dominated the game, but it wasn't really like that. The fans gave us at least 10 points throughout the game. They were loud like I have never heard them before. They put so much pressure on the Turkish team that you could see where all their turnovers came from. Galatasaray is a very good team with great talent, I am sure they will bounce back. The group is widely open and I hope that we can maintain our good start, but we have a mountain to climb this week…Unics in Kazan.

Yes, we are off to Kazan this week, and we know well that it is a tough place to play. This is the third consecutive year that Hapoel Jerusalem faces Kazan in the Eurocup. Two years ago we lost by 53 (I wasn't there so don't blame me). Last year, trying to qualify for the Eurocup, we lost there by 22. So, it's not an easy place and they get stronger and stronger every year. They have amazing players with great quality who have played together for a few seasons. When you go to Kazan you think of two things: first, the long journey from Israel; and second, the temperatures in Kazan. Bur we are not going with the intention to lose. I know that no team will take us for granted, especially not Unics after its home loss last week. We started our game against Galatasaray knowing already that Unics had lost at home to Valencia. We were surprised to hear that because we know how strong they are in Kazan, but it shows you the quality and mental strength of Valencia and their coach. They went there knowing they had to get a win, and they did it. There will be no "free meals" in this group.

We got a lot of encouragement and congratulations for our two wins, and it seems for a lot of people that we can go to the quarterfinals. We know that Kazan and Valencia can beat us in Jerusalem, but I think we have a small advantage that can be massive: Our Fans. On a special night, when the red army is called to "battle" they might be the ones to make the difference. I remember myself as a small boy behind the baskets in Jerusalem, shouting and singing for my heroes. Even now sometimes I feel like going back there to be part of the passion of all of them and the energy they posses. I have to tell them from here that their voices and love we can hear clearly and it gives us a lot of motivation. I do not know if we will qualify to the next stage, I do not know how this competition will pan out in the end, but I know one thing for sure: The memories of our European competition nights in Jerusalem, when the "local volcano" in our arena are at their best, those memories cannot be forgotten. I am sure that also the visiting teams feel great playing in front of that great atmosphere. I hope that this tradition of Eurocup basketball will continue in Jerusalem and who knows…maybe Vitoria is not that far away.

POSTED BY

YUVAL NAIMY - JERUSALEM, ISRAEL