What do people like the most?
that their team leaves everything on the floor.
This is why everyone loved Israel's reserve team.
Although she lost the title that belonged to her, she convinced everyone that she was not giving up any balls, and squeezed everything out of herself - professionally and mentally.
It was clear that it would be difficult to win a third championship in a row.
The main thing in this championship was continuity - to keep a place at the top and that's what the team stood for, and in a big way.
The outstanding - Noam Dovart
Sometimes it seems he is an adult playing against children.
The extensive experience he gained in the top league and the great talent did their part.
Doverat presented a great tournament and also carried the team on his back.
He knew how to put behind him a problematic season in Israel and in Jerusalem, he was one of the best players in the tournament and proved that he is the best on the continent for his peers.
Noam is speaking.
Outstanding of the tournament, photo: FIBA official website
The solution to the mystery - Gilad Levy
Two faces to the mystery: Levy spent 4 years at the Estudiantes academy in Spain, far from the spotlight we didn't know what to expect.
In addition, no one knew how he would fit into an Israeli team that traditionally does not have such sizes (2.20).
But the tournament solved the issue.
Levy made a lot of progress in Spain and turned himself into a dominant center.
On the other hand, the team knew how to play with him and he became a key player and a player who attracts a lot of tournament interest.
Levy finished at the top of the index and rebound tables in the tournament.
Gilad Levy
The mystery has been solved, photo: FIBA official website
The discovery - Harel Rinsky
One of those who burst into consciousness in a big way is Harel Rinsky.
The forward was a five player throughout the tournament and was an anchor of stability.
The outstanding characteristics: the peace of mind and the ability to shoot from three (57 percent, second in the tournament) We don't have many classic 3s in basketball.
Next season he moves to Upper Galilee, known for the emphasis it places on young players.
Harel Rinsky.
Discovery of the tournament, photo: FIBA official website
The X Factor - Eitan Borg
The surprising man of the team, and the one who solved quite a few problems when he came off the bench.
Eitan Borg, the guard from Elizur Netanya from the national team, continued his good season in the league, gave energy when he came off the bench, scored from the outside and did not hesitate to take shots in crucial minutes.
He won't stay in the national team for much longer.
Eitan Borg.
Gave everything, photo: FIBA official website
entered the shoes
A championship with a big risk was for coach Oren Aharoni.
A less strong squad than the previous times, the weight of expectations on the shoulders because of the last two wins and the need to step into the shoes of Ariel Beit HaLehmi - a kind of legend after his double win.
Aharoni was one of the most prominent coaches in the tournament.
He lived up to expectations.
Some feared that we were not good enough and in the end we finished in the top four because Aharoni fielded a cohesive team, committed to playing basketball correctly.
He closes a magical season with a cup, second place in the league and great success in the reserve.
Oren Aharoni.
Great tournament, photo: FIBA official website
The defense of the tournament
As with Bnei Herzliya, also in the national team coach Oren Aharoni pulled out the regional defense.
It worked better than expected.
Except for Spain, they all struggled against her and there were games in which she changed the trend.
The regional should reduce our physical inferiority against the opponent and bet on the opponent's low shooting percentages - which did happen except for Spain's display of three-pointers.
Although they were preparing for the regional, the opponents had a hard time responding to it.
The regional, which was performed excellently by the players, was designed to hide limitations and we did that skillfully in the tournament.
We gave everything.
Reserve players, photo: FIBA official website
Disappointing - none
Usually in a tournament like this they usually choose who disappointed.
There were no disappointments in this team.
There are those who met less expectations.
Even those who were less impressive had an important part in the lineup.
We expected much more from Ron Ziper, we expect Roy Pritzky to dramatically improve his outside shooting, but these are not big names who fell or crashed or prevented the team from running in the tournament, but helped everyone in their way even if professionally they were far from their peak.
Yuval Levin, Anton Agaev and Shoham Gat hardly played.
Future
There is no doubt.
There is great potential here.
At least 5 players will make their debut in the Premier League next season and within a year or two most of the team will play there.
Appearing in the national uniform gives a big boost, but life itself is in the groups loaded with foreigners.
Now we will see how (if at all) the teams will give credit to the youngsters and if they will make the right decision in choosing the destination they are going to.
were we wrong
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