Israel's U18 Basketball Team Tops Group with Win Over France, Coach Praises Athleticism

Israel's under-18 basketball team secured first place in their group at the European Championship on Sunday by defeating a strong French team 91-77. Aviv Aronov led the team with 31 points, while David Moses contributed 25 points and 8 rebounds. Coach Nadav Zilberstein expressed confidence in the team's talent and athleticism, calling them "an exceptional athletic team compared to other Israeli squads." He highlighted their disciplined man-to-man defense and familiarity with their opponents as key to their success.

Zilberstein also referenced a recent comeback victory against Greece, which boosted the team's confidence. He praised Aronov as a special scorer who is learning when to take shots and when to defer to teammates. The coach emphasized the developmental focus of the team, aiming to prepare players for higher levels, including the senior national team.

The coach noted his intuitive coaching style and the importance of managing player rotations effectively, praising contributions from Omri Orland, Karam Ashkenazi, and Rom Stoller. Looking ahead, Zilberstein stressed the importance of maintaining momentum and focus for the upcoming match against Austria, which is crucial for their mental and physical readiness for the decisive game on Wednesday.