Israel falls in brutal fashion to Sweden in World Cup Qualifier ahead of Eurobasket

Aug 28, 2022 | Holyland Hoops

The Israel National Team fell to Sweden 95-83 in their second World Cup qualifier of the August window just ahead of the Eurobasket which begins on Friday in Prague. Nothing went right for the blue-and-white as they fell in embarrassing fashion on their home court by double digits against a team that have not featured in the European Championships since 2013.

Yam Madar – Photo Credit: Yehuda Halickman


Sweden came out with much more energy and desire throughout the 40 minutes of play as they took the game to Israel right from the get go with baskets from Tobias Borg and Melwin Pantzer. Guy Goodes’s squad worked to get back into the game with baskets by Tamir Blatt but went down 52-38 at halftime. Yam Madar worked hard to begin to pull the blue-and-white out of the hole, but Simon Birgander scored huge baskets down the stretch as Pantzer iced the game to hand the visitors the win.

Borg led the way for Sweden with 20 points, Melwin Pantzar added 18 points and Simon Birgander chipped in its 16 points in the win. Madar paced Israel 27 points while Roman Sorkin and Deni Avdija each scored 13 points in the loss.

Sweden Celebrating – Photo Credit: Yehuda Halickman


“We are disappointed that we could have played better as a team,” Israel coach Guy Goodes said. “We didn’t play well from the beginning and gave up a lot of layups. We gave up a lot of one on one baskets and it was too much as we lost our confidence and didn’t find our rhythm.”

“We’re very proud to win this game in a tough place,” Swedish coach Ludwig Degernas said. “We had a few days to prepare and I want to congratulate the young players as well for being able to take the win.”

Tomer Ginat also spoke about the defeat, “We are all disappointed that we didn’t get stops and the ball didn’t move well enough. We have to find solutions ahead of the Eurobasket.”

Sweden Celebrating – Photo Credit: Yehuda Halickman


Melwin Pantzar also reflected on the victory, “Tough game versus Israel in a tough place. This was a huge win for Swedish basketball.”

Sweden had the hot hand early as Tobias Borg and Melwin Pantzer helped the visitors to a 13-6 lead midway through the first quarter. Tamir Blatt went from deep as did Yam Madar to energize Israel’s offense but Borg kept finding the hoop for Ludwig Degernas’s squad as they stayed in front 24-23 after ten minutes of play.

Gal Mekel – Photo Credit: Yehuda Halickman


Israel captain Gal Mekel and Rafi Menco scored a pair of quick baskets from the paint and the comer, Simon Birgander scored off the backboard and Pierre Hampton found points inside as the game was all knotted up at 30-30 with 6:24 left in the second quarter. Blatt fed Roman Sorkin for an alleyoop, but Hampton, Pantzer and Johan Lofberg all scored as Chris Czerapowicz went from deep, Pelle Larson added points as did Birgander to give Sweden a commanding 52-38 advantage at halftime.

Deni Avdija – Photo Credit: Yehuda Halickman


Denzel Andersson and Borg dialled up from long distance, Madar responded at the other end with a pair from deep as did Menco to cut down the Sweden lead to 61-49 midway through the third quarter. Czerapowicz and Birgander went from inside, Deni Avdija went from downtown as did Madar while Yovel Zoosman scored a layup to pull Israel to within 70-60 after thirty minutes of action.

Yam Madar – Photo Credit: Yehuda Halickman


Sorkin scored a 3-point play, Avdija went from deep, Borg responded at the other end, Madar went from beyond the arc, but Birgander and Viktor Gaddefors scored as Sweden still led 79-71 with 5:26 left in the 4th quarter. Birgander found points, Nimrod Levi did as well, but Larsson and Pantzer kept finding the bucket as the Swedes ran off with the 12-point win.

Sign up for our newsletter

0 Comments

You may also like…

Subscribe To Our Newsletter

Join our mailing list to receive the latest news and updates. 

You have Successfully Subscribed!