Israel U19 Team Dominates Switzerland in World Championship Opener

Impressive Victory for Israel

The Israel U19 basketball team commenced its first-ever World Championship campaign with an outstanding performance, achieving a 102-77 victory over host country, Switzerland. The match, held on Saturday evening, showcased the team’s resilience and skill despite a less-than-ideal preparation period.

Coach Abarhamy’s Reflections

Head coach Sharon Abraham expressed his satisfaction with the team’s performance, noting, “We started the game a bit rusty and under pressure. However, as the game progressed, we found our rhythm.” He explained that strategic adjustments, including switching to a smaller lineup and implementing player substitutions in the second quarter, contributed significantly to their success.

“Many players showed impressive skills, but we still need to improve our start-on-start defense,” Abarhamy added. He also took the opportunity to commend his coaching staff-Yoav Shneikman, Yoni Font, Yoval Tavit, and Vladi Yermishin-for their invaluable contributions in preparing the team physically for the tournament.

Support from the Fans

The atmosphere was further amplified by a substantial presence of Israeli supporters in attendance. Abarhamy acknowledged the motivation provided by the fans, stating, “There were a lot of Israelis here, and we felt their support.”

Next Steps for the Team

As the tournament progresses, the Israel U19 team aims to build on this momentum. They will need to focus on enhancing their defensive skills while capitalizing on the offensive strengths demonstrated during the opening match.

Abraham’s team is determined to maintain their competitive edge as they prepare for upcoming challenges, including their next game against Jordan. “We sit next to them every day in the hotel; we’re not involved in politics,” he noted, indicating a focused approach on basketball rather than external distractions.

This impressive debut marks a promising start for Israel in their inaugural appearance at the World Championships, setting a high bar for future performances