MEN’S BASKETBALL:

Hapoel Tel Aviv netted a record-equalling nine three-pointers in the fourth quarter to come from behind and secure a surprise 94-92 win over Valencia in Wednesday night’s deciding leg of their EuroCup semi-final. 

They will meet 2023’s champions Gran Canaria in the final after the islanders edged to a 76-72 success at Istanbul’s Bahcesehir College. 

Tel Aviv have never reached the final before. The Israeli team’s participation has prompted protests in Spain because of the country’s war crimes in Gaza.

MEN’S CRICKET:

New Zealand take an unassailable 2-0 lead into the final leg of their one-day series with Pakistan at Maunganui on Friday night. 

The Kiwis cruised to an 84 run victory on Wednesday after Mitch Hay hit an unbeaten 99 in their total of 292-8.

Pakistan crumbled to 72-7 in reply before Faheem Ashraf’s 73 and Naseem Shah’s maiden half century steered them to 208 all out, with Ben Sears taking 5-59.

CYCLING:

Despite finishing behind Primoz Roglic at last week’s Volta a Catalunya, Spain’s Juan Ayoso has moved to the top of the UCI’s rankings — although he is only 33 points ahead of second-placed Filippo Ganna. 

Mathieu van der Poel is third, with World champion Tadej Pogacar a further 108 points back in fourth.

The winner of this weekend’s Tour of Flanders one-day race will bag 800 points, with the runner-up earning 640.

MEN’S BASKETBALL:

Super League action resumes Friday evening with table-topping London Lions visiting a Leicester team that sit 10 points behind the defending champions in third, but with two games in hand. 

Friday night’s other fixtures see Manchester hosting Bristol and Newcastle taking on Surrey. 

Bottom of the table Caledonia are not in action until Sunday when they face Leicester, Sheffield play Bristol and Cheshire Phoenix meet Surrey.