Basketball: Israel faces Bosnia first in Euro qualifying tourney

Will play Macedonia on Friday night; winner will head to Group A in September.

By ALLON SINAI
israel basketball 298.88 (photo credit: Asaf Kliger)
israel basketball 298.88
(photo credit: Asaf Kliger)
Israel will face Bosnia in its first game of the EuroBasket 2007 additional qualifying tournament on Thursday. The draw for the order of play of the three-team contest in Menorca, Spain, from which the winner will book its place in the European Championships, was made at FIBA headquarters in Munich on Monday morning. Israel plays Macedonia on Friday night in its second and last game of the tournament, with Macedonia facing Bosnia in the first game of the competition on Wednesday night. The winner of the contest in Menorca will join Russia, Greece and Serbia in Group A of the European Championships, which begin on September 3. The national team, which reached EuroBasket 2005 via an additional qualifying tournament, held its final training session in Israel on Monday night ahead of its flight for Spain on Tuesday. "I don't think Macedonia and Bosnia are any better than us. All three teams can qualify and it's not going to be easy," Ido Kozikaro said. "We're excited to reach this stage, but are aiming to qualify for the championships," Amit Tamir said. "Talent wise all three teams are equal and the side which fights the hardest will advance."