Israel women's basketball team loses to Poland in EuroBasket qualifiers

In depth

The Israeli women's basketball team lost 75:64 to Poland in the opening game of the second group stage of the EuroBasket 2027 qualifiers, played in Riga, the capital of Latvia. The game was held in Riga because Israel is not permitted to host in Israel. The game began 20 minutes late due to traffic congestion. The team led by a double-digit margin but lost the lead in the final quarter.

Before the game, coach Shira Ha'elyon said: "We want to represent the country with honor, and I promise we will give everything on the court." Ha'elyon added: "No big names, but with a big heart" and "Everything is possible in basketball." The team advanced from the first group stage with six wins in six games, and for the current opening game it fielded two players who had completed their studies.

The team is in a group with Poland, Turkey and Montenegro, and the top two in the group will qualify for the EuroBasket championship to be held next summer. Israel's next rival, in three days' time, will be Turkey in Riga. Alisa Baron led the team with 19 points. The three remaining rounds will take place in a window in February.