Israeli Basketball Suffers Major Blow Amidst War, Faces Difficulties Abroad
Translated & summarized from Walla by baba
Israeli basketball teams are facing severe challenges due to the ongoing war, struggling with difficult travel conditions, lack of home crowds, and financial losses in European competitions. The national teams are also affected, unable to play home games in Israel for years. Officials hope for a return to normalcy and hosting games domestically, which is seen as essential for the sport's recovery.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Israeli basketball teams are facing significant challenges due to the ongoing war, impacting their European competitions.
- Teams are forced to play home games abroad under difficult conditions, including heavy security and empty arenas.
- The demanding travel schedule and lack of home crowds are taking a severe toll on players and staff.
- The national teams have not played home games in Israel for nearly four years, affecting performance and finances.
- Officials hope for a return to hosting games in Israel, seen as crucial for the sport's recovery.
- Regional political issues, not the domestic situation, are cited as the reason for not being allowed to host games.
Israeli basketball is experiencing significant difficulties due to the ongoing war, impacting teams both domestically and in European competitions. Teams like Hapoel Holon and Bnei Herzliya have begun their European seasons under challenging circumstances, with empty stands and heavy security, highlighting the broader issues faced by Israeli clubs abroad. The quality of foreign players has declined across all sports, but basketball has been particularly hard-hit, with financial and morale damage exacerbated by the inability to host games at home.
In the 2022/23 season, seven Israeli teams competed in Europe. The current 2023/24 season saw fewer teams initially, with three withdrawing due to security concerns. Only a few teams have since participated in European tournaments, and logistical complexities have deterred others, like Hapoel Emek, from joining.
The demanding travel schedule for teams playing weekly in Europe involves constant flights, often with layovers, and limited opportunities for training. Professional director Yonatan Alon described the experience as a "survival mode" rather than a focus on performance, citing the immense physical and mental toll. The lack of home crowds further diminishes the players' energy and motivation.
These challenges extend to the national teams as well. The senior men's national team has not played a home game in nearly four years, with matches held in empty arenas abroad, impacting performance and finances. The Israeli Basketball Association Chairman, Amos Frishman, stated that the difficulties are not due to the situation within Israel but rather regional politics, which prevents teams from hosting games domestically.
There is hope that games will eventually return to Israel, with expectations that this could happen if the war concludes. This return is seen as crucial for the league's recovery, both professionally and financially, and for restoring normalcy to the sport.
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