The Israeli national team went to the European Championship in Prague with dreams and hopes, but ended its part in the tournament earlier than expected and with great disappointment when it was already eliminated in the group stage.
We sat down for a conversation with Tzvika Sharaf and Molly Katzurin, two coaches of the Israeli national team in the past, to hear their impressions and insights.
How do you sum up the championship?
Sharaf:
"For the fifth time in a row we didn't make it to the round of 16, with different coaches and with different players. There are those who would define it as a lack of success. But when it's an ongoing situation, we probably have a problem with our early assessments of the situation. Everyone rightly feels disappointed, and on the other hand we have to admit If we were drawn to the house of death, we would not expect to rise."
Katsurin:
"I don't like the way the championship is concluded and the national team is criticized. The Israeli national team belongs to everyone and represents us, and not just its players or its coach. You have to sit down in a professional manner, examine and make decisions. There is no doubt that there were failures, certainly there were things which were not done properly. With all the sadness in the matter, we need to look ahead. The next national team gathering is not far away."
Tzvika Sharaf and Meir Tapiro.
Knows a thing or two, photo: Alexandros Vlachos
Much has been said about the preparatory games for the tournament that were not at the required level, what do you think?
Sharaf:
"These were not preparation games, the level was not appropriate. There is a consensus among everyone - both professionals and the basketball association - that the preparation was not correct."
Katzorin:
"The preparation was not good. There were few practice games, and the ones that were scheduled did not fit. In my opinion, there should have been many more preparation games outside - it takes the players out of their comfort zone and practice situations closer to the championship along with training on the road."
Molly Katzurin.
"The next national team meeting is not far away", photo: Udi Tsitiat
Was the previously set goal of reaching the quarter-finals wrong in your opinion?
Sharaf:
"All kinds of people built theories that this is the most talented team in the world. In practice, it had no hold on reality."
Katsurin:
"The team had many inexperienced players in such positions, and in the European Championship it has an effect. It is a completely different experience, there is nothing like it or prepares the body. This goal added pressure."
How would you sum up Danny Avdia's performance in the tournament?
Sharaf:
"He had a non-ideal preparation due to the fact that he was sick. Regarding the first championship, he had a good tournament."
Katsurin:
"He is the best player in the team without a doubt, for a long time we haven't had a player as diverse as him."
Avdia
Despite everything, had a good tournament, photo: FIBA, official website
What do you think the role of the coach and the staff in the failure?
Sharaf:
"The attitude towards the coaches has become madness. If a player misses a penalty or a three-pointer - the coach is to blame. Clearing the players of responsibility is a long phenomenon that cannot be dealt with. I have not seen a single player who said that he played badly."
Katsurin:
"When things go in bad directions, it's hard to fix them. We have to ask ourselves why there were problems. The national team belongs to all of us and represents Israeli basketball. A national team is not a team, you want the best - but not every player is suitable for the national team."
Guy Goodes
"The attitude towards the coaches has become madness", photo: FIBA, official website
What positive light points can be taken from this tournament?
Sharaf:
"Not much. I hear everyone saying that they are disappointed in themselves, so what good can be taken from this?"
Katsurin:
"There is no substitute for experience. For many of the players this was their first big tournament and they gained important experience. The players are competitive by nature. The disappointment will go with them, and they will wait to make amends next time. The team has qualified 14 times in a row for the European Championship - and this is an impressive achievement in itself, and because Why do people take this for granted in Israel?"
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