Bnei Herzliya returned to the Basketball Champions League court with a thrilling win over FC Porto, boosting their standing in Group H. The game took place on July 7, 2026, and followed a recent 81‑83 loss to Hapoel Holon on May 18, 2025, highlighting a tactical shift.
What happened in the game?
In the first home‑stage match, Bnei Herzliya controlled the tempo from the second quarter, with Oren Kaplan posting 22 points, 7 rebounds and 3 assists. The team exploited fast breaks, generating 12 three‑point attempts, converting six. Matti Kaplan added 5 blocks, disrupting the opponent’s paint presence. Despite losing the last two games (LLWWW), the squad rebounded with 85% shooting from the arc.
Why does it matter for Bnei Herzliya?
This victory improves Bnei Herzliya’s chances of reaching the playoffs, needing only one more win to secure a spot in Group I of the Round of 16. The success also reinforces head coach Oren Kaplan’s new training plan, emphasizing pick‑and‑rolls in the post and perimeter transitions. With injuries to two key players, depth from the bench becomes crucial.
What’s next in the season?
The team will face ALBA BERLIN in Group K of the Round of 16, a matchup expected to test defensive intensity and pace. If Bnei Herzliya maintains high shooting percentages and continues to capitalize on transition, they can push into the Quarter‑Finals. The club also plans to reinforce the roster by renewing contracts for wing players, enhancing bench depth for injury scenarios.
How does the team’s tactics look?
Coach Kaplan focuses on a full‑court press with rapid zone shifts and aggressive rebounding. Offensively, the squad uses paint‑to‑perimeter transitions and runs screen‑and‑roll actions with Daniel Cohen in the post and Yuval Barak on the wing. The blend of outside shooting and quick cuts keeps the tempo high and forces opponents into mistakes.
The team will keep targeting a high FG% and keeping 3PT% below 30% only under pressure. Maintaining assist numbers and steals will help them climb the BCL ladder and deliver exciting moments for fans.