Hapoel owner's bizarre farewell to Motley: Compares Hapoel's title to Partizan's, takes aim at Ataman, and sends a message to Zvezda!
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The controversial owner took to social media platform X to comment on Jonathan Motley's departure from Hapoel Tel Aviv. Motley has joined Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet, and the Israeli owner bid farewell to Motley in a rather peculiar manner.
He referenced Hapoel's EuroCup title, comparing it to Partizan's 1992 EuroLeague triumph. He also took a jab at Ergin Ataman, stemming from Hapoel's victory over Valencia in last year's EuroCup semi-final series, a feat Panathinaikos failed to achieve.
Jonathan Motley, the first senior player to join the ambitious, yet small and humble Hapoel Tel Aviv. His arrival at the club laid the groundwork for all the talented players who followed and helped shape the wonderful Hapoel for the 2024/2025 season that won the EuroCup, with Motley being named the MVP of the finals. The title came in a year when Israel was at war, with not a single game played in Israel. This makes this achievement even greater than Partizan's 1992 championship title won on the road. It also required us to win a playoff series against an outstanding Valencia giant that many considered impossible to beat. By the way, Ergin – it is possible to win a series against Valencia... Jonathan, you will always be in our hearts and our history, you will always be part of our family, and you can always count on my friendship. Crvena Zvezda, please take good care of him. Ofer Yanay
Incidentally, Motley has been on the radar of the red-and-whites for some time. He was supposed to come to Belgrade last year, but Yanay threatened to buy all of Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet's players, and the deal fell through.
VIDEO: In one play, Partizan's power and Crvena Zvezda's helplessness
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