Israel has waited a decade for this moment. On Tuesday night in Katowice, Poland, the blue-and-white team secured its passage to the EuroBasket round of 16 with a dramatic 92–89 victory over Belgium, marking its third win in four games.
It wasn’t easy – the Belgians nearly erased a 21-point deficit in the final quarter – but the Israelis held on to claim a landmark achievement that has eluded them since 2015.
Deni Avdija once again set the tone, scoring 22 points to go along with three rebounds and four assists. After the final buzzer, though, the Portland Trail Blazers forward was already looking ahead.
“We’re in the round of 16, but we still have another game to win, and that’s where our focus is right now,” he said. “I’m very happy we secured qualification, but we can really finish first in the group, so we need to stay locked in.”
The result improves Israel’s record to 3–1 in group play. It secures passage to the last 16, where they will face a crossover opponent from Group C that includes Greece, Italy, Spain, Georgia, Bosnia, and Cyprus. Before that, though, awaits a marquee showdown with Luka Doncic and Slovenia, a clash that could determine whether Israel finishes first in its group.
For Avdija, this run has a deeper meaning than just basketball.
“It feels great, especially after how things ended in the last campaign,” he reflected. “I feel like we’re much more mature, more complete. We have a coach who is a real leader on the sidelines and a great staff. What’s our ceiling? I’m aiming as high as possible. Every time people say there’s a glass ceiling for us, we keep breaking it – and I want to keep breaking it.”
Israel looked to have shattered Belgium early, building a commanding lead behind Avdija’s all-around play and Roman Sorkin’s relentless work inside. The Maccabi Tel Aviv big man added 18 points, five rebounds, and two assists, and afterward he too spoke about the wider significance of the team’s accomplishment.
“We’re happy – it’s been 10 years,” Sorkin said. “To bring pride to the country in times like these, to give people some joy, especially the soldiers who have been reaching out to us, it means a lot. The hate we hear only gives us that extra push. This is one of our goals, and we’re happy we achieved it.”
Israel's difficulties in the final quarter
Sorkin admitted that the team felt the pressure when Belgium stormed back, but emphasized the togetherness that has carried them through.
“Towards the end, we got a little nervous, and that’s natural,” he explained. “But we knew how to win a game like this, and that’s not something you take for granted. There’s something special in this group – Deni, Yam [Madar], Tomer [Ginat], Rafi [Menco], Bar [Timor], everyone. We want to do something meaningful for our country.”
Ginat, who recorded a double-double of 13 points and 13 rebounds, echoed that message.
“This is why we came here, and we’re happy to achieve one of our goals,” he said. “But it’s not over. We have more to do, starting with Slovenia in two days. We want to win that game. As for Luka Doncic – let’s see how we guard him. Better teams than us have tried, but we have good defenders, and we’ll do the best job we can.”
Head coach Ariel Beit Halachmi has often praised his squad’s growth, and Tuesday’s test was proof. Israel led 51-36 at halftime and seemed on course for a rout, but Belgium clawed back with a flurry of threes in the final quarter. With eight seconds left, Belgium had cut it to three, but Yam Madar calmly sank free throws to seal the win.
Even with the pressure mounting, guard Khadeen Carrington said the group never lost belief.
“I’m proud of the players – it was a huge win,” Carrington said. “There’s always something to prove... We just want to bring happiness to people in Israel.”
Looking ahead, he added, “My mind is already on Slovenia. I’m excited for the chance to play against Luka.”
Israel’s impressive 3-1 record ensures advancement, but placement is still at stake. A win over Slovenia could see it finish at the top of Group D, setting up a potentially smoother path in the knockout rounds. More importantly, though, the team’s resilience has rekindled belief among players and fans alike.
Avdija summed it up best: “We want to go all the way, play our game, and keep our eyes forward. We believe in our staff and in each other. The glass ceiling is there to be broken, and we’re not done yet.”