Israel Women’s Lacrosse Team Advances to World Championship Semifinals After Dramatic Win

The Israeli women's lacrosse team achieved a significant milestone by advancing to the semifinals of the World Championship following a dramatic 12-11 victory over Australia, the world’s fourth-ranked team, in the quarterfinals on Wednesday. This win marked Israel’s fourth consecutive victory in the tournament, having topped their group with wins against the Philippines, Czech Republic, and host nation Japan.

Israel is set to face the winner of the Canada-Japan quarterfinal match on Friday, aiming to reach the World Championship final for the first time. The team recently won the European Championship in box lacrosse held in the Czech Republic, further establishing their position among the global lacrosse elite.

Ian Kadish, CEO of the Israeli Lacrosse Association and team manager, praised the players’ composure and belief throughout the tournament, highlighting their resilience regardless of game situations or referee decisions. Eric Kaplan, president and CEO of "Eilat," the umbrella organization for non-Olympic sports in Israel, called the victory a major breakthrough, emphasizing the team’s determination and Israeli spirit against one of the world’s strongest teams. He expressed pride and confidence that the historic journey is far from over.