IBA approves Shivek's appointment as new national team coach

IBA approves Shiveks ap

By ALLON SINAI
arik shivek 88 (photo credit: Israel Basketball Association)
arik shivek 88
(photo credit: Israel Basketball Association)
Arik Shivek's appointment as the next Israel coach was approved by the Israel Basketball Association's professional committee on Monday and he will officially be named as Tzvika Sherf's replacement on Thursday when the IBA's board ratifies the decision. The 53-year-old, who agreed personal terms with the IBA last week, is currently the coach of Belgian club Dexia Mons-Hainaut, a position he will continue to hold as Israel boss. The professional committee also recommended that Ironi Nahariya coach Ya'acov Jino be named as the Under-20 national team coach and that Danny Franco continue to guide the Under-18 side. "We are facing a challenging summer on all fronts," IBA chairman Shay Shani said. "The national team's target is to reach the 2011 European Championships, with the youth sides to battle for their places in Division A." In other Israeli basketball news, Barak Netanya's reward for knocking Hapoel Jerusalem out of the State Cup will be a difficult home tie against Hapoel Gilboa/Galil in the quarterfinals of the competition. Netanya stunned Jerusalem 77-76 at the Malha Arena on Sunday and will be the underdog yet again in the last eight. In the other quarterfinal ties, Maccabi Tel Aviv visits Hapoel Afula, cup holder Hapoel Holon hosts Ironi Ashkelon and Bnei Hasharon welcomes Ironi Nahariya. With the Israeli BSL on a four-week winter break Maccabi will travel to Milan, Italy, on Tuesday for a training camp where it will play a friendly game on Wednesday.