Imagine waking up to the sound of a missile strike just blocks from your home. That’s the chilling reality Dimitris Itoudis, head coach of Hapoel IBI Tel Aviv, faced in the heart of Tel Aviv. But here’s where it gets even more unsettling—this isn’t just a personal story; it’s a stark reminder of how escalating conflicts are reshaping the world of sports. In a candid phone interview with Greece’s SKAI network, Itoudis recounted the terrifying experience of a deadly explosion near his apartment, located close to the Greek Embassy. The blast, which tragically claimed a woman’s life just 700 meters away, forced him to seek refuge in a hotel for the night. ‘The noise was deafening,’ he recalled. ‘It’s a feeling I wouldn’t wish on anyone.’
This harrowing incident comes as Itoudis and his team are relocating to Sofia, Bulgaria, to complete their 2025-26 EuroLeague season. The journey, which took them through Eilat and Egypt, underscores the growing security concerns in Israel that have made hosting international basketball games nearly impossible. And this is the part most people miss—while the EuroLeague has already moved Israeli clubs’ home games to neutral venues, Itoudis remains deeply skeptical about the future of basketball in the region. ‘I don’t see how games can return to Israel,’ he stated bluntly.
Despite the chaos, Hapoel Tel Aviv remains a force to be reckoned with, sitting fifth in the standings with a 17-11 record. As the team prepares for its final ten regular-season games in exile, Itoudis is focused on stabilizing his squad in Sofia. Yet, his story serves as a powerful reminder of the human cost of conflict, overshadowing even the world of sports.
Here’s where it gets controversial—while some argue that sports should remain neutral, others believe they cannot be separated from the realities of the world. Itoudis himself concluded with a heartfelt plea: ‘Let there be peace. We must teach the next generations about peace and love.’ But is that enough? Can sports truly transcend conflict, or are they inevitably entangled in it? What do you think? Share your thoughts in the comments—let’s spark a conversation that goes beyond the court.
