By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Fourth win in as many prep games for Israel heading to the 2022 EuroBasket.
Despite lacking Deni Avdija once more, the team coached by Guy Goodes strolled to the win, 112-61, over Romania. Dominating the second half, 67-29, put even more distance between the opponents in Tel Aviv.
Stashed by the Boston Celtics at Partizan NIS, Yam Madar went for a game-high 17 points behind 7/8 field goals. Tomer Ginat of Hapoel Vegan Friendly Tel Aviv chipped in 12 points, six rebounds, two assists, and two steals. Nimrod Levi had 13 points.
Avdija, 21, is considered day-to-day. The next game versus Romania in Tel Aviv Thursday can mark his return from illness. The Washington Wizards player got into the action in the opener of the series of friendly contests opposite Auburn but missed a couple of games against Georgia in Tbilisi last week and Tuesday’s game versus Romania.
Israel will travel to Finland and host Sweden to start Group J of the 2023 FIBA World Cup European Qualifiers Group J in late August. Moving into Group D of the 2022 EuroBasket, Finland, the Netherlands, Serbia, and the Czech Republic are the teams to beat while in Prague.
In Bar, Montenegro bounced back from a couple of losses in previous friendly affairs with a convincing win, 89-53, versus North Macedonia. Mornar Barsko zlato star Vladimir Mihailovic played at home and paved the way with 14 points. Chicago Bulls’ Marko Simonovic added ten points.
The team guided by Bosko Radovic will take on Bosnia-Herzegovina and Lithuania tipping off Group K of the World Cup Qualifiers before competing in Group A of EuroBasket’s preliminary round against Turkey, Belgium, Bulgaria, Spain, and host Georgia.
On the losing end, both Romania and North Macedonia are out of EuroBasket and World Cup. Preparations are instead focused on the 2025 EuroBasket Pre Qualifiers.
Photo Credit: FIBA.BASKETBALL