Israel's U18 Girls Basketball Team Opens Euro B Championship with Win Over Switzerland
Israel's under-18 girls basketball team secured a crucial 71-66 victory against Switzerland in the opening game of the European Championship Division B on July 31, 2026. Despite a slow start that saw Switzerland take an early 10-2 lead, Israel rallied with strong defense and standout performances, particularly from Maayan Gorin, who scored 19 points. By halftime, Israel held a 37-32 lead.
In the second half, Switzerland briefly regained the lead, but key three-pointers from Maya Zilbershlag and Gorin helped Israel pull ahead decisively. Zilbershlag contributed 17 points, while Mika Kanitz added 10. The Israeli team maintained their advantage in the final minutes to secure the win. Tomorrow, Israel will face Norway in their second match of the tournament, where two of the five teams will advance to the quarterfinals.
The game featured a balanced scoring effort from the Israeli squad, including Tamar Carmi with 9 points, Mika Yanai with 7, Rotem Shtikelro with 6, and Or Gadot with 3. The victory sets a positive tone for Israel's campaign in the European Championship Division B.
Summary: Israel's U18 girls basketball team overcame an early deficit to defeat Switzerland 71-66 in their opening match of the European Championship Division B, led by Maayan Gorin's 19 points. They will next face Norway as two teams advance to the quarterfinals.
