1. We don't have a place in the next stage yet, but we already have an unofficial title: the team that has given Serbia the most trouble so far.
Everything was ready for defeat and a one-sided show.
Instead, Israel was already behind by two points at the beginning of the fourth quarter and at least we ended it in a respectable way (minus 11) against a team that ran over everything that moved until now.
If only it were possible to replace: the ability against Serbia to bring to the game that preceded it against Poland.
If that had happened, we would already be in the next stage in Berlin.
Instead, the Israeli national team is still in danger of being kicked out of EuroBasket.
It's all a matter of timing.
Now we will ask the question to which there will be no answer, why the level of commitment and desire that we brought against the potential European champions, we did not bring against a team that is less good than us.
Bottom line: if we don't bring this attitude against the Czech Republic on Thursday, all the compliments about the game against Serbia are worth nothing.
Jokic (in blue).
He was great over Israel, photo: AFP
2. On the other hand, let's not get excited.
It was the "easiest" game to play mentally.
The reason: there is no pressure against such a superior opponent.
A game in which there is only something to gain.
On the other hand - for a team of the size of Serbia, it is not an easy game mentally.
She is expected to defeat an inferior opponent and give another show.
She only had something to lose.
Against the Czech Republic it's a different story - tons of pressure, a game for an entire tournament, a game where if you lose you go home.
This is the true test of character.
The players of the Israeli national team saw very closely one of the best players in the world.
A one man show.
Nikola Jokic finished with an index of 46. Nothing more needs to be said about the man who does everything on the floor.
On the other hand, the compliment to the Israeli struggle yesterday is that the Serbian center had to play 30 minutes - more than in any other game in the championship - so that his team would not get into trouble.
Deni dishing out the behind-the-back assist with đĄđżđŽđŽđŽđŽđ đŽâđ¨ #EuroBasket x #BringTheNoise pic.twitter.com/34abBcMHLE
â #EuroBasket 2022 (@EuroBasket) September 6, 2022
Other encouraging points: We didn't break even though there were a few points where the Serbs could get away with it big.
Good three-point shooting ability: second game in a row in which we hit 14 three-pointers.
Good form of Yam Medar and Roman Sorkin and no less than 11 rebounds in the attack against a team with size and strength.
Yam Medar and Dani Avdia.
They also managed to impress against Serbia, photo: FIBA
3. On Thursday the game of the tournament.
A game that will determine where we will fly on Friday - to Berlin or home.
The extra spice: the derby against Nano Ginzburg, the coach of the Czech Republic.
The game was held in Prague and the home advantage of the Czechs is of course very significant.
This team knew how to excel in real moments quite a few in the last few years and Nano's familiarity with Israeli basketball can also help the opponent a lot.
On the other hand the task is possible.
The Czech team that has done wonders in recent years (6th place in the World Championship, qualifying for the Olympics) is in its worst state.
Nano Ginzburg.
waiting for the Israeli group,
The main reason is the injury to its engine Tomas Saturnski, on paper one of the best European center backs.
Actually he was not supposed to play in the championship at all, the Czechs registered him for the tournament, but he is still not eligible.
Two games he didn't participate and in two he did - he didn't really contribute.
Beyond this significant story - other key players arrived at the tournament not in good shape and by and large this looks like a team that has passed its peak and this is probably the "last dance" of this cast.
The question that must be asked at least until tomorrow: who will dance on the floor at the end of the game tomorrow.
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