Two down, one to go for Ramle

Ramle became the first Israeli women’s basketball team to lift a European title on Thursday, beating Arras of France 61-53 in the Eurocup final.

By ALLON SINAI
Elitzur Ramle 311 (photo credit: FIBA Europe website)
Elitzur Ramle 311
(photo credit: FIBA Europe website)
Elitzur Ramle returned to Israel on Friday afternoon to a hero’s welcome after making history in France the previous night.
Ramle became the first Israeli women’s basketball team to lift a European title on Thursday, beating Arras of France 61-53 in the second leg of the Eurocup final to clinch continental basketball’s second most prestigious cup.
President Shimon Peres and Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu were among the many dignitaries to phone up and congratulate the Ramle players and their coach Adan Inbar, who cemented their place in Israeli sports history with the epic win.
“I can’t describe how happy I feel after lifting the Eurocup as the captain of an Israeli team,” Ramle guard Shay Doron said. “I wanted the headlines in Israel to be about our achievement and not about bombs or rockets and I’m happy we accomplished our goal. I will never forget this day.”
Ramle will not have long to celebrate, as it returns to league action on Monday when it visits Maccabi Ramat Hen in Game 2 of the playoff semifinals, looking to take a 2-0 lead in the bestof- five series.
Ramle has already won the State Cup and after claiming the Eurocup is now a firm favorite to go on to win the league title and complete an unprecedented treble.