Israel's Women's U20 Basketball Team Reaches Historic European Championship Final

Israel's women's under-20 basketball team achieved a historic milestone by advancing to the European Championship final for the first time after defeating Belgium 78-69 in the semifinals on Saturday. This victory secured Israel a podium finish and brought them just one win away from claiming the title. The team had earlier stunned Poland to reach the semifinals and now faces France, a European basketball powerhouse, in the final scheduled for Sunday at 20:30 in Lithuania.

Coach Tal Natan expressed immense pride and joy, highlighting the team's hard work during a two-and-a-half-month training camp at Hadar Yosef. He praised the players' dedication, intelligence, and team spirit, emphasizing that the squad is not reliant on a single star but is a balanced and deep team. Natan also noted the significance of this achievement amid difficult times for the country, calling it a heartwarming moment.

While star player Gal Reviv scored 13 points, guard Mayan Cohen stole the spotlight with a record-breaking eight three-pointers out of 14 attempts, leading the team to a memorable performance. Cohen described the emotions as overwhelming and stressed the team's unity and determination to win the championship, stating their goal is to finish first and not just participate.

Amos Frishman, chairman of the Israel Basketball Association, hailed the team's success as historic and a source of national pride and hope during challenging times. The final against France will determine if Israel can cap off its remarkable tournament run with a European title.