Big disappointment tonight (Monday) in the Israeli team after another loss to the German team. Guy Goodes’ players once again lost a double-digit advantage over the opponent on the way to an 84:80 loss and a 2: 2 balance in the World Cup qualifiers. Tomer Ginat again led the blue-and-whites with 18 points and 10 rebounds, Tamir Blatt who joined after not scoring 12 goals on Friday and added 6 assists but that did not help the visitors in the face of a very good game by Madu Lu (18) who led the local comeback.
Team coach Guy Goodes said at the end: “Disappointed for us. The two games were similar, also in Tel Aviv we led by 11 points and let them come back, and today we led by 15 points and in a few minutes we brought them back into the game. We had an 8 advantage towards the end, but the rebound “The attack they took towards the end ended the game. We played very well, which is why we are disappointed, basketball is a game of mistakes and we were short, we will stay with our heads held high for the next window in June.”
On the changes from the game on Friday: “We did not change too many things because there is no time to change, we only had one training, we knew the players Germany brought to the squad, and their quality, we did a good job with the war, especially in the third quarter in defense and offense. The arc of the three, and we did it well, but a rebound here and there and a mistake here and there lost the game. “
On the disappointment the pair of games against the Germans: “We missed here but we will not weep over these losses. We started the first window great with two wins, but in the second window we played against Germany and were close to winning and did not do it. We have a third window against Poland away and Estonia at home, A win today would have given us a big advantage, but this is life and we would like to get better in June.
Tamir Blatt: “There is not much to say, bad luck, we controlled the game. I do not know what was the biggest difference, we played very well on both sides of the field, but Germany won the game in the last quarter. It was good to return to the team, I was part of the team. “I expected to return here to my family. Everyone loves to play together, I was excited to help the team, we were short today but we will progress and be ready for the next games.”