Israeli sports

US Open tennis highlights: Israelis and Jewish players in action

At the US Open, identifying players with even the slightest Jewish connection requires inside tips, additional sleuthing, and perseverance.

|ByHOWARD BLAS
BETWEEN ISRAEL-BORN Canadian Denis Shapovalov (left) and the always-popular kosher food stand and minyan announcements (right) on the grounds of the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, the US Open definitely has its Jewish and Israeli fans covered.
SHAHAR PEER (left) and Julia Glushko (right) together while representing Israel at the Fed Cup in 2007.

From center court to new paths: A tale of two Israeli tennis legends - interview

Former Israeli tennis stars Shahar Peer and Julia Glushko reflect on their careers, life after the tour, and hopes for the next generation of Israeli players.

|ByHOWARD BLAS
MACCABI NETANA defender Saba Khvadagiani (left) vies for the ball with Hapoel Beersehaba’s Alon Turgeman during the Reds’ 4-2 Premier League victory

Big moments define early-season league play

Beersheba storms back from 2 goals down to beat Netanya • Atzily’s brace secures Beitar’s win

|ByJOSHUA HALICKMAN
YONI ERLICH (left) and Dudi Sela (right) – playing together in the Davis Cup in 2013 – icons of Israeli tennis whose successors are hopefully just around the corner.

Getting Israeli players back to the top of the tennis landscape

The days of big-name Israelis playing in the baking hot sun or in the late-night chill of Queens, NY, in front of flag-waving, cheering Israeli supporters, are a distant memory.

|ByHOWARD BLAS

Soccer: Maccabi Tel Aviv marches on in Europe as Haifa and Beitar fall

Maccabi Tel Aviv beat Hamrun Spartans to reach the Europa League playoff round, as Maccabi Haifa and Beitar Jerusalem were knocked out of Europe.

AUGUST 17, 2025ByJOSHUA HALICKMAN
Caption: MACCABI TEL AVIV players celebrate their third goal in a 3-1 second-leg victory over Hamrun Spartans, which secured the yellow-and-blue a 5-3 aggregate win and a spot in the Europa Leage Play-off.

Israel shines in kickboxing at World Games with two gold medals and a silver

Thursday's podium successes followed Shaked Nisimian's gold in women’s combat sambo, Nili Block's bronze, and Yulia Sachkov, Jodah Osaid, and Polina Grossman reaching the kickboxing finals.

AUGUST 14, 2025ByJERUSALEM POST SPORTS STAFF
ISRAELI KICKBOXER Yulia Sachkov reached the podium on Thursday at the World Game.

Remember the name: Israel U16 Men’s National Team's Omri Orland

The 15-year-old point guard has taken the Israeli youth basketball scene by storm and could very well be on track to the NBA.

AUGUST 14, 2025ByJOSHUA HALICKMAN
ISRAELI POINT GUARD Omri Orland is turning heads across Europe with the Under-16 national team – and several respected scouts say he’s destined for the NBA.

Israeli 3X3 basketball team excluded from French tournament, citing ‘political conflicts’

Team Ramat Gan’s de-registration from Versailles organizers underscored the growing impact of politics on international sports and Olympic qualification

AUGUST 14, 2025ByJOANIE MARGULIES
ISRAELI 3x3 basketball team, Team Ramat Gan, gears up for international competition, determined to earn Olympic qualifying points despite obstacles.

Gold, bronze, and more to come for Israel at World Games

“Another amazing day with incredible results that once again show the outstanding athletes we have in Israel, especially in non-Olympic sports," said Arik Kaplan.

AUGUST 14, 2025ByJERUSALEM POST SPORTS STAFF
GOLD MEDALIST Shaked Nisimian (right) and fellow Israeli Nili Block, who took the bronze, pose together after their victories at the World Games in Chengdu, China.

Questions remain for Israel before EuroBasket

"We have to take everything in proportion, and it’s still very early in terms of preparing for the EuroBasket," said head coach Ariel Beit Halachmi.

AUGUST 12, 2025ByJOSHUA HALICKMAN
WHILE ARIEL Beit Halachmi's Israel roster at the upcoming EuroBasket will feature guard Yam Madar, there are a number of other players – notably Tamir Blatt (not pictured) – who will be missing for the blue-and-white.

Nimrod Ryeder wins jiu-jitsu gold for Israel at World Games

Ryeder delivered a flawless tournament to retain the title he won at the 2022 World Games in Birmingham. A multiple-time European and world champion, Ryeder continues to dominate.

AUGUST 12, 2025ByJERUSALEM POST SPORTS STAFF
GOLD MEDALIST Nimrod Ryeder of Israel celebrates on the podium after winning the jiu-jitsu Men's -77kg Ne-Waza Finals at the World Games in Chengdu, China.

Blue-and-white dominates Greece in statement warm-up victory ahead of EuroBasket

The victory comes just a day after Israel blew out Cyprus by 40 points, with a strong second half.

AUGUST 11, 2025ByJERUSALEM POST SPORTS STAFF
THE ISRAEL National Team celebrates together on the court after a dominant 75–58 victory over Greece, marking the blue-and-white’s first win against the powerhouse in nearly three decades.

European battles to Toto Cup surprises

Azulay’s strike lifts Haifa vs Rakow • Beitar Jerusalem stumbles at Riga • Hapoel Tel Aviv into semis

AUGUST 10, 2025ByJOSHUA HALICKMAN
MACCABI HAIFA’S Eitan Azulay (center) celebrates after his second-half tally gave the Greens a 1-0 win over Rakow in the first leg of their Conference League duel.

Israel Basketball Association chairman on fiscal recovery, coaching development and player policy

One of the areas that needs more attention is that of working with coaches at all levels and accompanying them in order to help them improve their skills and professionalism, explained Frishman.

AUGUST 7, 2025ByJOSHUA HALICKMAN
AMOS FRISHMAN marks one year as IBA Chairman with sweeping reforms, bold plans, and a push for professionalism across the board

Following conquest of France, blue-and-white women fall to Italy

With defenses tight in the final minutes, scoring slowed. Israel couldn’t score late, and misses by Raviv and Oren left the door open Italy

AUGUST 7, 2025ByJERUSALEM POST SPORTS STAFF
DESPITE ANOTHER outstanding performance from Gal Raviv (left), who finished with a game-high 25 points, the Israel U20 women lost 77-69 to Italy in the quarterfinals of the EuroBasket in Portugal.