European Women’s Basketball Qualifiers: Israel Defeats Luxembourg
Israel Secures Second Win in Qualifiers
The Israeli women’s basketball team achieved a significant victory this past Saturday, defeating Luxembourg 65-77 in their second match of the EuroBasket qualifiers, held at their “home” court in Riga. Both teams entered the contest with perfect records, but Israel showcased maturity, character, and defensive discipline in the final minutes, earning them the top spot in their group.
Match Overview
Israel began the game somewhat hesitantly, trailing at times despite an early lead. However, two three-pointers from Daniel Reber helped Israel pull ahead to 11-14. Luxembourg responded with a 2-10 run to take the lead, but Eden Rotberg’s buzzer-beater three narrowed the gap to 21-19 at the end of the first quarter.
In the second quarter, Alisa Baron and Reber spearheaded Israel’s comeback. Lior Garzon contributed five consecutive points off the bench as Israel established a commanding lead at 28-40. The first half ended with Israel ahead 35-43.
Key Performances
Reber continued her strong performance into the third quarter, where Israel maintained a slim lead, closing the period at 55-59. Luxembourg opened the final quarter with two accurate three-pointers, taking a brief lead at 60-61. However, a strong collaboration between Reber and Dorian Dehan Switch restored Israel’s advantage.
From that point onward, the momentum shifted entirely in Israel’s favor. A fast-break basket from Avi Myers, along with additional points from Dehan Switch, capped a 1-11 run that solidified a convincing victory.
Player Highlights
Key contributions came from several players, including:
- Daniel Reber: 21 points, 10 rebounds, 5 assists (career-high)
- Eden Rotberg: 14 points
- Alisa Baron: 13 points, 5 assists
- Dorian Dehan Switch: 11 points
- Lior Garzon: 10 points
- Avi Myers: 8 points
With this victory, Israel moves to a 2-0 record in their group, setting the stage for a crucial upcoming match against Ireland on Tuesday.
For those planning to catch live sports events, consider securing your seat for the biggest shows in the world by checking available tickets for shows and games across Europe.