Israel’s cadet team recorded a wonderful achievement tonight (between Tuesday and Wednesday) when they defeated the Serbian team 86:94 in the round of 16 of the European Under-16 Championship and advanced to the quarterfinals. Sharon Abrahami’s team trailed at halftime, but a wonderful third quarter which they won 15:28 gave them an advantage that their rival from the Balkans was unable to erase.
Ben Sharaf was the standout of the blue-whites with a wonderful game in which he almost achieved a triple double. The talented guard scored 28 points, dished out 10 assists and added 9 rebounds in one of the biggest performances of the tournament so far, if not the biggest. Omar Meir scored 20 while Ariel Sela added a double-double of 14 points and 13 rebounds.
In the quarter-finals (to be held on the Wednesday) the Israeli national team will face Greece, which defeated Latvia 62:84 in the round of 16. The championship is held in North Macedonia.