Croatia's Jalen Smith Faces Israel in World Cup Qualifier After Joining Hapoel Jerusalem

Jalen Smith, the American-born guard who recently acquired Croatian citizenship and became Hapoel Jerusalem's first signing for the upcoming season, is set to play against Israel in their final World Cup qualifying match. The game is scheduled for Monday at 20:50 and will be broadcast live on 5SPORT. Israel, coached by Ariel Beit Halachmi, aims to finish the qualifiers with a victory after a near comeback against Germany. Croatia enters the match following a dominant 123-50 win over Cyprus.

In an interview with the Sports Channel correspondent in Croatia, Smith discussed the upcoming game, his decision to join a team from the holy city, and the need to reassure his family upon arriving in Israel. He also touched on his communication with Sasha Obradovic, who is reportedly looking to build his own team. Smith's unique position as a naturalized Croatian playing against Israel adds an intriguing dynamic to the match.

The encounter highlights the intersection of sports and cultural ties, with Smith expressing enthusiasm about playing in Jerusalem, a city of great significance. The match marks the conclusion of the World Cup qualifiers for both teams, with Israel seeking a positive send-off and Croatia demonstrating strong form.