“We have to close down the defensive rebounds, run and play our style” Ginat & Israel ready to take on Estonia

Nov 28, 2021 | Holyland Hoops

Israel will look to continue their winning ways when they face Estonia on Sunday at 7pm in Tallinn in World Cup Qualifying. The Blue & White enter the contest after downing Poland 69-61 last Thursday night in the Holy Land as Guy Goodes’s squad will look to replicate the feat.

Estonia enters the clash on a high after besting Germany 69-66 as they will try to keep their positive momentum going in what is a “must win” matchup for both teams. Each team is attempting to advance to the second group stage with as many wins as possible due to the fact that the records from the first qualifying phase transfer to the second round.

Guy Goodes – Photo Credit: IBBA


“We saw how the Estonians beat Germany,” Goodes said ahead of the game. “We know what their strengths and weaknesses are and they like to shoot a lot of 3-pointers and they were 11/19 against Germany. We have to be focused on their transition game and not lose their players or else we will give up unnecessary 3-pointers.”

Estonia has a few players that Israel will have to keep an eye on from long distance including Siim-Sander Vene who plays his club ball at Limoges in France, Kaspar Treier who features for Dinamo Sasari along with Kristjan Kitsing (Kalev) and Kristian Kullamäe from Burgos. Another player at Finnish Head coach Jukka Toijala’s disposal is 17-year old Henri Veesaar who was in Israel this past summer for the Under-18 tournament.

John Dibartolomeo – Photo Credit: IBBA


Goodes will have two new faces for the game in Estonia in Maccabi Tel Aviv guard John Dibartolomeo and big man Roman Sorkin who arrived on Friday immediately following their Euroleague loss at ALBA Berlin.

“They have been in the national team program and know the system,” Goodes explained. While they were in only one practice last week we didn’t change much up. Both are very positive and want to succeed and win this game. They are experienced players who are familiar with this level.”

Tomer Ginat – Photo Credit: Elay Elad


Tomer Ginat who recorded a double-double with 11 points and 11 rebounds understands that while Estonia may not be a giant in European basketball they have caused Israel many problems throughout the years. In addition, the Blue & White will also be the road team where they have a record of 2-5 since 2017 when the National team renewed and refreshed its program under coach Oded Katash.

“We have a tough game coming up,” Ginat said. “Both teams are coming in after a win but we are on the road and they are at home and that is a big difference. We will need to play better than we did on Thursday in order to win the game. We have to close down the defensive rebounds, run and play our style.”

Iftach Ziv – Photo Credit: Elay Elad


Iftach Ziv also chimed in about playing away from the friendly confines of the Drive In in Israel, “There is no question that playing I front of our amazing fans makes life a lot easier. This arena feels like home for the Estonians and it’s cold which is something we will need to get used to. I believe that we will be able to do what we need and go 2-0 in this window and if we do beat Estonia we can start to think about bigger things.”

The Israel 12-man squad: John Dibartolomeo, Roman Sorkin, Yam Madar, Gal Mekel, Jake Cohen, Adam Ariel, Idan Zalmanson, Iftach Ziv, Tomer Ginat, Rafi Menco, Guy Pnini, Nimrod Levi.

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