The Israel Women’s National Basketball Team will be in 2027 World Cup qualifying action this coming week with a trio of games as it looks to punch its ticket to the second stage of the competition.
Coach Shira Haelion’s team is already 3-0 and will try to add three more wins when it faces Bosnia in Latvia in what will count as a home game, then travels to Luxembourg, and finally returns to Latvia where it will be the road team against Ireland.
One of the most important players in the Israeli squad is without question Daniel Raber. The veteran 29-year-old forward, who currently plays her club basketball in Greece with Olympiacos, spoke about national team pride, her international career and the future of women’s basketball.
“Representing the national team is always the most enjoyable part of the season,” Raber said about what remains the highlight of every year.
“During wartime it feels even more meaningful. What we want most is to bring people a little comfort and, of course, to win.”
The team had a very strong previous window, but Raber was quick to emphasize that success comes from a collective effort.
“It’s never about individuals. We’re one team and everyone contributes in different ways. Some players score more in one game, others in another, but at the end of the day it’s a team sport. Of course we want to go 3–0 again and bring the best possible results into the next round.”
Key strength of basketball team is chemistry
The key strength of the squad is its chemistry, something Raber values deeply, especially since she has spent the past two years playing abroad.
“Every national team window feels like a breath of fresh air for me. I get to come back, spend time with the girls and enjoy a week with friends I’ve been playing alongside for years.”
Raber highlighted her connection with teammates Eden Rotberg and Alyssa Baron.
“Eden and I play almost blindly together as we know each other so well. With Alyssa too, there’s a natural understanding. There’s nothing more fun than playing with teammates you’ve been with for years.”
Despite limited preparation time, Raber praised the national team coaching staff for their professionalism and dedication.
“They prepare us extremely well. We watch a lot of video and they do everything they can to get us ready for each game. With the war and the short preparation time, where some players didn’t even get to train in Israel, it’s not easy, but they really try to prepare us in the best way possible.”
Raber’s club season in Greece has been both challenging and rewarding, as playing with Olympiacos has allowed her to experience high-level European competition.
“It’s been an interesting season with ups and downs, like any season. But playing in the EuroLeague and EuroCup is a level you don’t get a chance to compete in every day. Now we’re in the final stretch and the playoffs have started, it’s a big challenge.”
One very emotional highlight came when Olympiacos faced her former Israeli team in European competition.
“Seeing familiar faces again was very emotional,” Raber said. “Ramla was the last team I played for in Israel, so it was special. I was happy we won, but it was also great to see them all again.”
As the Greek league playoffs continue, Raber’s personal focus remains simple: perform at her best and stay healthy. In April, she plans to return to Australia, where she has spent the past two summers playing in the off-season.
“The sports culture there is something you don’t see in Greece or Israel,” Raber explained. “Their attitude toward women’s sports is eight levels above what we have here. I already won a championship there before, which was very exciting. Hopefully we can do it again.”
Globally, Raber sees women’s basketball gaining significant momentum. In Israel, however, she believes there is still room to grow.
“The war obviously has an impact, especially when it comes to the foreign players coming to the league. But there are positive steps. This year there was an All-Star event for the first time, which is great. When arenas start filling up, we’ll know things are truly moving in the right direction.”
Raber’s career path hasn’t been conventional. Her major breakthrough came relatively late, around age 26 or 27, something that shapes the advice she gives younger players.
“Keep working hard, stay loyal to your path and be patient. Don’t just follow what everyone else is doing. Sometimes you need to try unconventional things to reach your goals. One thing that defines me is that I never take my foot off the gas. Even when I feel comfortable, I keep pushing. If you feel too comfortable, it probably means there’s still more to improve.”
By playing in the EuroLeague, Raber achieved one of her biggest goals, but she is not finished yet and still has plenty of dreams she hopes to fulfill.
“The next dream is to become even more significant on a EuroLeague team. I want to reach leagues that Israeli players haven’t played in yet and continue making an impact abroad. My biggest dream is to qualify for the European Championship with Israel, perform well there and help lead the team to places it hasn’t been to in years.”
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