Israel's Barnea targeting another medal at European Swimming Championships

Barnea won the second semifinal in 24.99 seconds on Wednesday after recording the exact same time on his way to victory in the morning heats.

By ALLON SINAI
Swimmer Guy Barnea says he is especially proud to have the Israel flag on his cap in times like these. (photo credit: REUTERS)
Swimmer Guy Barnea says he is especially proud to have the Israel flag on his cap in times like these.
(photo credit: REUTERS)
Guy Barnea will be aiming to scale the podium at the European Swimming Championships for a third consecutive time on Thursday night after qualifying for the 50-meter backstroke final from second place overall in Berlin.
Barnea won the second semifinal in 24.99 seconds on Wednesday after recording the exact same time on his way to victory in the morning heats.
Vladimir Morozov clocked the fastest time in the semis, touching the wall after 24.61s.
Barnea will be hoping to claim his third career medal at the Europeans after picking up bronze medals in the past two editions of the championships in 2010 and 2012.
Jonatan Kopelev, who became Israel’s first-ever gold medal winner at the Europeans in the 50m back two years ago, failed to even make it back to the final on Wednesday. He finished in 11th place overall in a time of 25.37s, 14 hundredths of a second from a berth in the top eight.
Amit Ivri is still searching for her first appearance in a final in Berlin after ending the 200m individual medley in 14th place overall in a time of 2:14.75 minutes on Wednesday.
Ivri has already missed out on a place in the 50m butterfly final by eight hundredths of a second and also came within five hundredths of reaching the final of the 100m breaststroke.
She was 1.07 seconds away from a place in the top eight in the 200m IM on Wednesday, but will be hoping to make up for all her close calls when she takes part in her main event, the 100m butterfly, on Thursday.