The Israel Under-20 National Team continued its dominant run at the European Championship with a record-shattering 119-68 thrashing of Romania in the Round of 16 on Wednesday, booking a place in the quarterfinals where it will face the winner of Italy vs Iceland.
It was a wire-to-wire victory at the University of Crete Hall in Greece for coach Sharon Avrahami’s squad, which showed no signs of slowing down after sweeping the group stage. From the opening tip, it was clear Israel came to impose its will.
The team jumped out to a double-digit lead in the first quarter, finishing the frame up 35-20. Alon Michaeli set the tone early, asserting his presence inside, while Omer Mayer and Roee Avneri were also instrumental in the early surge. By halftime, Israel had already built a staggering 69-36 advantage, effectively putting the game out of reach.
What followed was a second-half showcase of teamwork, discipline, and offensive firepower. Jonathan Abulof, who led all scorers with 18 points, joined the onslaught along with Maxin Filonenko and Uri Cohen, helping Israel widen the gap to a historic 51-point margin.
In the process, Israel shattered two all-time program records: the largest margin of victory in Under-20 play and the most points ever scored in a single game by an Israeli U20 team.
Six players finished in double figures
Remarkably, every player on the roster saw action and all 12 contributed at least five points, underscoring the team’s depth and unselfishness.
Six players finished in double figures: Abulof (18), Avneri (15 points, 11 rebounds), Michaeli and Filonenko (14 each), Cohen (12), and Mayer (11). Ariel Sela added five points, 12 rebounds, and seven assists in a well-rounded performance, while Israel’s bench extended the lead in the final quarter to seal the emphatic win.
Despite the disparity in talent and execution, Avrahami’s team showed no signs of complacency, maintaining intensity and composure throughout. The Israeli offense clicked at every level, slicing through Romania’s defense at will and punishing every mistake. The defensive energy was equally relentless, forcing turnovers and limiting Romania to just 68 points.
With four wins in four games and momentum at its peak, Israel now turns its attention to the quarterfinals with dreams of replicating its past successes in the tournament. If this performance is any indication, the young blue-and-white squad is very much a contender.