Israel Basketball Team Heads to Georgia Ahead of Crucial World Cup Qualifiers

The Israeli national basketball team departed on Friday for Georgia, where they will play a friendly match against the Georgian team on Sunday at 19:30. Following this, the team will travel to Latvia for two critical August window games in the World Cup qualifiers. These matches against Poland (home) and Latvia (away) will determine whether Israel continues to compete for a spot in the 2027 FIBA World Cup in Qatar or if the upcoming November and February windows will be merely formalities. Currently, Israel holds a record of two wins and four losses, with the previous window in early July marked by the absence of several key players.

Coach Ariel Beit Halachmi faced challenges assembling a broad roster for training, and the final squad, including players like Yam Madar and Tomer Ginat, was insufficient against Germany and Croatia. This time, NBA players Deni Avdija and Ben Shearf are also absent, as their clubs did not release them, although many other national teams will have their NBA players available. Yam Madar, stepping in as captain for the injured Ginat, emphasized the team's determination: "As long as we have a chance, we come to fight and do everything for the team, even when losses carry over to the next stage."

Madar highlighted the improved team spirit compared to the previous window, noting that many players who missed July's games are now present and motivated to represent Israel proudly. The roster also welcomes back Tamir Blatt, Itay Segev, and Roman Sorkin, who missed the last window due to injury. Sorkin expressed optimism about restoring morale and joy within the team, stating, "Everyone arrived with a smile. As long as there is a chance, we will do everything to secure two wins in this window."

Players from Maccabi and Hapoel Tel Aviv, who endured a tough season with extensive travel for EuroLeague games, used the summer break to recover. Sorkin shared that the offseason allowed him to recharge and prepare mentally for the upcoming challenges. While he has not yet started training with Maccabi Tel Aviv, he has seen familiar faces and looks forward to beginning the new season after the qualification window.