By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
It seems that the thieves that broke into the teams’ hotel in Tel Aviv also stole Israel’s morale. And that’s because Ukraine absolutely crushed the disheartening hosts, winning 88 – 64 and checking its ticket for Istanbul against all odds and predictions.
Iron Will: The game simply went to the team that craved for it. Israel was already eliminated after last night’s loss to Georgia and Ukraine took advantage of their indifferent status to not only emerge victorious but absolutely triumph.
Everything was practically over by the first half when a 16 – 0 run by Ukraine (Vyacheslav Kravtsov 17 points, 7 rebounds) turned the score from 25 – 18 to 41 – 18. Israel didn’t even attempt to fight back after that…
A small miracle: Ukraine marched to this EuroBasket without a naturalized player (Pooh Jeter decided to not join the team) and minus star Kyrylo Fesenko. Their two wins (over Georgia and Israel) sufficed to grant them entrance to the Phase of 16 which is reason enough to celebrate.
Coach Yevgeny Murzin’s players will now face undefeated Slovenia in the eighth-finals.
Disappointment: On the other hand, an ambitious Israeli squad didn’t even manage to finish the tournament on a high note. Or at least try to, since they were down even by 33 (71 – 38) near the end of the third period. The only redeeming qualities were Lior Eliyahu (12 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists), Yogev Ohayon (11 points) and Elishay Kadir (10 points) since the rest of Erez Edelstein’s players crumbled down under their lack of motivation.
(Photo credit: FIBA.basketball)