Israel beats Russia in dramatic EuroBasket start

Surprise win for Israel in Montpellier, France, raises hopes for a successful bid in the European basketball championships

Israel dramatically beat Russia 76:73 in its first game in the European basketball championships, held in Montpellier, France on Saturday.

It was an unexpected victory, as the Russian team was heavily favored. Israel on Sunday faces Finland, which only narrowly lost its own Saturday game to the EuroBasket championship’s overall favorite France.

The game began with an early 12-point lead for the Russians, which remained as a 39:29 lead at halftime. But Israel recovered in the second half, taking 21 points in the third quarter to Russia’s 10.

Israeli captain Omri Casspi, Israel’s most famous basketball player and its only player in the NBA, led the Israeli scorers with 21 points and nine rebounds, making him the highest scorer in the game. Israel’s Lior Eliyahu brought 16 points and Gal Mekel 13.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called the Israeli team’s coach Erez Edelstein to praise him for the victory.

Israel's basketball national team head coach Erez Edelstein (R) thumbs up during the group A qualification basketball match between Israel and Russia at the EuroBasket 2015 in Montpellier on September 05, 2015. (AFP Photo/Pascal Guyot) — Israel’s basketball national team head coach Erez Edelstein (R) thumbs up during the group A qualification basketball match between Israel and Russia at the EuroBasket 2015 in Montpellier on September 05, 2015. (AFP Photo/Pascal Guyot)

“This is gigantic news and a huge achievement,” Netanyahu said, adding that the win recalled the victory of Tal Brody, who captained Israel’s national basketball team to glory as European champions in 1977, defeating even the heavily favored Soviet Red Army team CSKA Moscow.

“We’re happy and hope we have brought happiness to all the nation of Israel,” said Edelstein of the team’s first win Saturday.

“We started a championship with an important victory for Israeli basketball and the players. We want to see that continue already tomorrow [in the game] against Finland,” he added.