Thumbs up for Israeli basketball
International history was made in Israeli basketball on July 22 when the Jewish State won the 2018 FIBA U20 Men's European Basketball Championships.
INTERNATIONAL history was made in Israeli basketball on July 22 when the Jewish State won the 2018 FIBA U20 Men’s European Basketball Championships in Germany, crushing Croatia – who had not been beaten all tournament – by 80-66 in the final.
It was the first time Israel won a FIBA tournament at any level, let alone one on Europe’s highest stage, and it cam after three painful defeats in previous finals.
After opening the tournament with a heartbreaking loss against the host nation, the Ariel Beit-Halachmi-coached Israeli side won six games in a row to clinch the title.
The score was 47-45 with a couple of minutes played in the third quarter of the final, but a 7-0 run for Israel proved a decisive blow for Croatia.
The result garnered instant jubilation in Israel, from the average fan through to the president.
Michael Brisker, who top-scored with 19 points, said “nothing came easy – we worked very hard for this moment, and we made history.”
Israel’s President Reuven Rivlin congratulated the team, saying “what a proud Israeli moment – thank you all who have brought us this great honour”.
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