Big game for Tepiro
Photo: Eli Elgarat
Israel advances to European basketball championship
Israel trounces Czechs, advances to European championship after Turkey upsets France
Last-minute miracle: Very few people believed that it was possible for Israel to advance to the European basketball championship, after a series of painful losses, but a convincing victory coupled with a giant upset by Turkey over France paved the way for the unthinkable.
Israel's national team, which had been the subject of scathing criticism in recent weeks, showed its character by trouncing the Czech Republic 98:61 in Tel Aviv before a raucous home crowd.
Big night for Israel, Coach Sherf (Photo: Eli Elgarat)
Meanwhile, heavy favorite France lost at home to the surprising Turks, 80:78, enabling Israel to advance to the European basketball championship for the 9th time in a row.
Israel's coach Zvika Sherf will now be among four Israeli coaches who will be leading their teams in Poland in 2009, as Russia, Bulgaria, and Poland – all headed by Israeli coaches – also made it.
Israel got off to a good start Saturday evening, taking a 28:19 lead against the Czechs in the first quarter. The Israeli team opened up a 17-point lead in the second quarter, but the Czechs were able to cut it down to 49:35 at halftime. However, Israel exploded in the second half, headed by Yotam Halperin (25 points and 7 assists,) Meir Tapiro (24 points, 6 assists, and 6 rebounds,) and Lior Eliyahu (16 points and 9 rebounds.)
Israel finished the third quarter with a 78:54 lead and kept on increasing it until the final whistle. A few moments later, the players were celebrating on the court, after being informed that Turkey defeated France.
