ByJERUSALEM POST SPORTS STAFF

The Israel National Basketball Team delivered its most impressive performance yet in preparation for EuroBasket 2025, defeating Greece 75-58 in a convincing display in Cyprus.

While Greece was missing several key players, including Giannis Antetokounmpo, Kostas Sloukas, Kostas Papanikolaou, and Dinos Mitoglou, head coach Ariel Beit Halachmi’s squad seized the opportunity, showing poise, energy, and resilience – particularly in a dominant second half.

Israel, which now holds a 3-1 record in its warm-up campaign (with wins over Georgia, Cyprus, and Greece, and a loss to Estonia), became just the third team in the past decade to hold Greece under 60 points. The win also marked Israel’s first victory over Greece since 1997.

The first half was tightly contested, with both teams exchanging baskets and playing physical basketball that saw frequent whistles from the referees. Greece took advantage of some defensive lapses by Israel to edge ahead 41-39 at halftime. Deni Avdija kept Israel in touch with 13 first-half points on near-perfect shooting, while Roman Sorkin and Tomer Ginat worked hard on the boards.

The turning point came early in the third quarter when Beit Halachmi inserted guard Guy Platini. Despite playing only eight minutes, Platini made an immediate defensive impact, particularly in slowing down Tyler Dorsey, and added a timely three-pointer as part of a 9-0 Israeli run. Sorkin scored 10 points in the quarter as Israel outscored Greece 17-8 to take a 56-49 lead into the final frame.

January 16, 2025 Paris Basketball's Tyson Ward in action with Maccabi Tel Aviv's Roman Sorkin.
January 16, 2025 Paris Basketball's Tyson Ward in action with Maccabi Tel Aviv's Roman Sorkin. (credit: REUTERS/Stephanie Lecocq)


From there, the blue-and-white took control. Back-to-back threes from Yuval Zoosman, C.J. Carrington, and Nimrod Levi helped stretch the lead toward the 20-point mark. Israel’s defense was relentless, limiting Greece to just 17 points in the second half while winning the rebounding battle by a commanding 45-23 margin.


Sorkin and Avdija each finished with 16 points, with Sorkin adding 7 rebounds and Avdija grabbing 6. Ginat posted a double-double with 12 points, 11 rebounds, and 5 assists. Carrington and Levi scored 7 points apiece, Zoosman added 5, Bar Timor had 4, while Platini and Rafi Menco contributed 3 points each. Eitan Burg rounded out the scoring with 2 points.

Second-half surge due to shift in intensity

Captain Ginat credited the second-half surge to a shift in intensity.

“We came out much more aggressive after halftime. Ariel and the staff told us we had to raise our defensive level, play the way we know how, and run. You could feel it from the very first second of the half.”

Levi echoed the sentiment, praising the team’s collective energy.

“We were much more aggressive, all of us. Guy Platini brought so much energy. We rebounded much better, defended better, and that allowed us to run and score easy points. I’m glad we did the job.”

The victory comes just a day after Israel blew out Cyprus by 40 points, again on the strength of a strong second half.

This time, the test was far tougher, but the outcome was equally encouraging.

After returning to Israel for a short break, the national team will resume its preparations with another tune-up against Montenegro next week before turning its focus to the EuroBasket at the end of the month, where its chances are improving by the game.