Hapoel Gilboa Galil - the former BIBL winner looking for its third trophy

Hapoel Gilboa Galil is the other Israeli team that will take part in the Second Stage of Delasport Balkan League. That became a fact after the team won Group B and then defeated Maccabi Rishon LeZion away in the decisive game.

The current name of the club Hapoel Gilboa Galil was set in 2008 after a merger between Hapoel Gilboa and Hapoel Galil Elyon. The next few years were really successful for the team as in 2010 they won the title of Israel beating Maccabi Tel Aviv in the final game. Then in 2012 and 2013 Hapoel became two times champion of the Balkan League before losing the final in 2014. One year later though the team was relegated from the Israeli top division only to return in 2016.

This season Hapoel Gilboa Galil returned to BIBL and is so far performing great. The team is also doing well in the Winner league having 7 wins and 2 defeats so far. This is also something that Hapoel would like to show in the Second Stage as well so it'll be interesting to see how they'll perform in international environment.

There is a very good mix of talented Israeli and American players on the roster. Most of them are in 20-23 age range so that helps the team to play an attractive and quick basketball.

There is also a new coach as Avishai Gordon took over Lior Lubin just before the game against Maccabi Rishon LeZion and had a great debut. Lubin was the one who led Hapoel to the two BIBL titles and during the first one, Gordon was his player. Now he'll have to chance to lift the trophy as a coach as well which will happen for the first time in the history of the league.