The Israel Under-19 National Team departed for Europe on Friday, as they ready to participate in the FIBA U19 World Championship beginning next Saturday, June 28, in Lausanne, Switzerland.

In light of Operation “Rising Lion” FIBA ​​had expressed great concern about the U19 squad being able to leave the country and take part in the World Championship. The chairman of the Israel Basketball Association, Amos Frishman, held several talks with FIBA ​​CEO Andreas Zagaklis and managed to obtain an additional extension in order to ensure that the team would be able to travel. Over the course of the last 48 hours, Frishman held marathon talks with all relevant parties and finally today the mission was successfully completed with the team’s departure from the Holy Land.

On Saturday June 28th, the team will open the tournament against host Switzerland and for the time being they will be able to practice and prepare for the competition.

Frishman thanked a number of people who made it possible for the national team to be able to travel and participate in the FIBA U19 World Cup for the first time in the nation’s history.

“In recent days, we have had one mission – to enable the team to go to the World Championship. I am happy that we accomplished this mission which was not an easy one. I would like to thank the Minister of Culture and Sports, Miki Zohar and the Minister of Transportation, Miri Regev as well as the other parties who made sure that the Israel Under-19 National Team would be able to participate in the World Championship.

“As I have said throughout the past few days – the participation of the Israel team at the World Championship, especially during these challenging days is of great importance in every which way and I am happy that everyone was able to come together and help out while understanding the magnitude of the event. All that remains is to wish the team the greatest of success and I am sure that the players and staff will represent the country with honor.”

Israel’s World Championship squad has a number of players who took part in the Premier League as well as the Leumit League this past season including, a trio from Maccabi Tel Aviv in Yaron Goldman, Oren Sahar and Omer Mayer. A pair of Maccabi youth players are also a part of the team in Tamir Gold and Gabriel Artmenko while Miron Katz, Rani Belaga, Aviv Henkin and Ariel Sela played in the country’s second division. Roy Sharon and Alon Danieli played in the youth league while Joul Karram was at college in the United States.

The coaching staff is led by head coach Sharon Avrahami who was in charge of Hapoel Gilboa Galil last season along with his assistants, Yoav Shenkman and Yoni Funt.

Israel was drawn into Group C at the World Championship along with host Switzerland, Jordan and the Dominican Republic. All teams will advance to the knockout round after the group stage just like at the annual European Championships.