Elitzur Ramla Aims for European Success After Summer Overhaul

After a challenging previous season, Israeli women's basketball club Elitzur Ramla is looking to rebound in the 2025-26 season with a significantly revamped roster. The team begins its European journey Wednesday in the EuroCup qualifiers against Greece's Proteas Voulas. Due to the inability to host games in Israel, both qualifying matches will be played in Greece, with the aggregate winner advancing to the group stage. Ramla has seen numerous departures this summer, including captain Eden Rotberg, naturalized player Jenni Sims, and most of last season's foreign players, along with Israeli players Tamar Bargal and Mai Rowach who moved to college, and Mika Beitan to newly promoted Bnei Yehuda.

The club has made significant additions, starting with the return of coach Eden Inbar, who previously led Ramla to three championships and a historic EuroCup title in 2010-11. Inbar expressed excitement about returning to Ramla and the EuroCup, acknowledging the challenge of the early qualifiers but emphasizing the team's goal to compete for all titles. He brought several key players from his former team, Maccabi Ironi Ramat Gan, including Israeli stars Shir Tirosh, Alice Hattukay, and Gili Eisner, as well as American forward Imari Thomas.

Further strengthening the squad are Israeli players Ami Rinat and the notable return of Daniel Raber. Raber, who led Ramla to their last championship, has since played professionally in Australia and the EuroLeague with Olympiacos, and also had a strong showing with the Israeli national team. The team also added American guard Mahreen Karker and Montenegrin center Ana Popovic, who returns to Ramla after 13 years playing in top European leagues and China. The only significant player remaining from last season is American forward Mikiah Herbert-Harrigan, who rejoined the team after leaving due to the war.

Ramla reached the Round of 32 in the EuroCup last season before being eliminated by Olympiacos. Their opponent, Proteas Voulas, was eliminated in the group stage of the EuroCup two years ago and finished sixth in the Greek league last season. "The goals in Ramla are always to fight for all titles, but declarations do not create reality, unlike modesty and hard work," stated coach Inbar. Guard Shir Tirosh added, "It depends a lot on us, we have prepared for this moment for a long time. There is good human material in the team, we can go very far with them."