Just one day after stunning defending champion France in the round-of-16, Israel’s Under-20 women’s national team came heartbreakingly close to making more history – but ultimately fell 77-69 to Italy in a dramatic quarterfinal clash at the EuroBasket in Portugal.
For much of the night, Israel was chasing. The Italian side took control early, using its height advantage and relentless offensive rebounding to build a steady lead. Israel trailed by seven after the first quarter and by as many as 14 at halftime, after a damaging 14-3 Italian run closed the second quarter and made it 46-32 at the break.
But as they’ve done all tournament, Tal Nathan’s women refused to fold. Led by the brilliant Gal Raviv, who finished with 25 points, Israel stormed back in the second half.
Raviv repeatedly sliced through the Italian defense, scoring at will and igniting a run that brought Israel back within five by the end of the third quarter. Maya Zilbershlag, Maayan Cohen, and Ayala Oren all hit key shots from beyond the arc, while Israel’s defense finally began to disrupt Italy’s rhythm.
Midway through the fourth quarter, Israel completed the comeback. A 15-2 surge capped by a Zilbershlag layup gave the blue-and-white their first lead of the night, 63-62. The momentum had fully shifted – but only briefly.
With both teams tightening their defenses in the final minutes, scoring slowed down. Israel couldn’t score in the closing stretch, and crucial misses by Raviv and Oren left the door open for Italy. A dagger three-pointer from Francesca Baldassarre gave the Italians a four-point cushion, and a few final free throws put the game out of reach.
The final buzzer brought visible emotion from the Israeli bench. Tears, hugs, and long embraces followed, as the weight of the loss – and the pride in how far they’d come – settled in. It was a painful finish to a thrilling week, but also a clear sign that this group had shattered expectations and inspired belief.
Despite the disappointment, it was a proud moment for an Israeli squad that had entered the knockout stage winless in group play – and had already secured its place in Division A with the historic upset over France.
Raviv’s leadership, coming off a record-setting U19 World Cup and a standout NCAA freshman season, once again stood out. Maayan Cohen added 13 points, Zilbershlag scored 10, and Shirel Nahum chipped in nine.
Israel's victory against France
On Tuesday, in one of the most remarkable upsets in Women’s U20 European Basketball Championship history, Israel stunned reigning champion France 81–74. Raviv’s performance was nothing short of sensational. In addition to her 32 points – including a critical fourth-quarter three – she added five assists and two steals, commanding the game with poise and purpose.
Israel now heads into the classification round for places 5-8, where it will face Spain. The dream of a first-ever semifinal appearance may have slipped away – but the belief, talent, and growth of this team remain undeniable.
In the span of just 48 hours, Israel went from tournament underdog to a team that pushed one of Europe’s top sides to the brink. The journey is not over, and with the passion, grit, and talent they’ve displayed, this group has laid the foundation for even greater success down the road.