Hard-working Israel U20s look to impress
TEL-AVIV (FIBA U20 European Championship) - Most opponents will have a size advantage over Israel in July's FIBA U20 European Championship, but it's hard to see how any team could out-work them.
TEL-AVIV (FIBA U20 European Championship) - Most opponents will have a size advantage over Israel in July's FIBA U20 European Championship, but it's hard to see how any team could out-work them.
A 20-strong preliminary squad commenced preparations on Wednesday, looking to convince head coach Dan Shamir that they deserve a spot on the final 12-man U20 Israel roster that will compete in the tournament in Helsinki.
The start of Israel's training camp however is hardly the start of the selection process, as the 20 players who got the call as well as other candidates had been under scrutiny all year long. Coach Damir and his assistants, Ofer Ron and Modi Maor, conducted regular training sessions throughout the season to ensure they choose the best squad for the U20 tournament.
| U20 Israel Preliminary Team | |||
| Muhammed Abu Arisha | Netnael Artzi | Tal Aviram | Shay Basis |
| Tzuf Ben Moshe | Tamir Blatt | Daniel Danino | Ido Davidi |
| Roy Huber | Daniel Kuperberg | Sol Leshem | Orr Leumi |
| Dagan Licht | Ron Nekarshevitz | Nir Sarid | DJ Sharp |
| Tomer Shukrun | Roy Venetzia | Tal Zach | Eden Zelinbaba |
Coach Damir was already very familiar with two 1996-born returnees from last summer's side, which took 10th place in the FIBA U20 European Championship in Italy under his guidance.
Shooting guards Orr Leumi and Daniel Danino saw significant playing time on that 2015 team and are expected to have an updated role this summer.
"I am very excited and happy to represent Israel again, it's always fun," said Leumi. "It's important for us to play good basketball in the championship, we are facing a strong group and it's a great challenge. We'll work hard and we'll go to win."
Most of the players on the U20 preliminary team however are 1997-born and were part of the U18 Israel side which last year earned promotion to the top-flight from FIBA U18 European Championship Division B.
Shooting guard Roi Huber and point guard Tamir Blatt headline the 1997-born contingent. Huber, who plays at Hapoel Kfar-Saba, averaged 13.7 points and 3.6 rebounds in last summer's U18 tournament. Meanwhile the point guard, who is the son of famed Israeli-American coach David Blatt and plays for Hapoel Tel Aviv, averaged 9.4 points, 4.1 boards and 4.8 assists per contest in the U18 Championship of 2015.
Israel will play host to Russia, Netherlands and Georgia in a warm-up tournament from 21 to 26 June. Meanwhile on 1st July they will travel to Italy to take part in another preparation tourney which, in addition to the hosts Azzurri also includes Russia and Ukraine.
“We are in a very difficult group in the championship and we'll do what it takes to win and to promote players. We do have a size and physical problem but we'll have to manage,” commented coach Shamir.
Israel were drawn in Group B of the FIBA U20 European Championship and will face hosts Finland in the premiere on 16 July, while they will take on France and Spain in their following games.
FIBA