Basketball: U-20s lose to Slovenia in final game of Euros

Finish sixth place afternoon after blowing a 20-point lead to lose against co-hosts Slovenia 90-81.

By ALLON SINAI
basketballs 88 (photo credit: )
basketballs 88
(photo credit: )
Israel's Under-20 basketball team finished the European Championships in sixth place on Sunday afternoon after blowing a 13-point lead in the final quarter of its game against co-hosts Slovenia, losing 90-81. Omri Caspi led Israel with 25 points and six rebounds, but an awful display by Yogev Ohayon, who scored just one of his 14 attempts from the field, virtually killed off any chance the team had of victory. Matej Krusic scored 16 points and grabbed 11 rebounds to lead six Slovenians in double figures with Emir Preldzic also scoring 16 points. Israel got off to a flying start, opening a 28-17 lead after one quarter. The side extended the margin as the half progressed and was ahead by 14 points at the break (48-34). Two points by Caspi four minutes into the third period gave the team its biggest lead of the game (60-40) and the national side was seemingly cruising. However, the Slovenians ate away at the gap and trailed by just 12 points (67-55) after three periods. The lead continued to dwindle in the fourth quarter and with just over three minutes to play in the game, the score was tied at 78-78. With the momentum squarely on their side the hosts surged to the win and closed the game with a 12-3 run that relegated the Israelis to sixth position in the tournament.