EuroBasket 2009: Israel travels to London for EuroBasket prep tournament

"We are improving with every day of training," guard Yotam Halperin says.

By ALLON SINAI
Israel basketball 224.88 (photo credit: AP)
Israel basketball 224.88
(photo credit: AP)
The Israel national team will step up its preparations for next month's EuroBasket tournament on Thursday when it arrives in London ahead of this weekend's 'Game On At The O2' warm-up event. Israel will play three games in as many days in London, just like it will in the European Championships in Poland, which begin on September 7. The national team faces Turkey in its tournament opener at the O2 Arena on Friday, and will play Poland on Saturday before coming up against the hosts Great Britain on Sunday. "We will continue to prepare for the EuroBasket tournament in London and these warm-up games will help us to be as ready as possible for the European Championships," Israel coach Tzvika Sherf said. "There is still plenty more work to be done. However, we are on the rise and I'm very pleased with the players' work ethic." Israel lost its first two preparation games of the summer before defeating the Netherlands 88-68 on Sunday, and despite flying out without the injured Yogev Ohayon, will be hoping to boost confidence levels with a few more winning efforts in the English capital. "We are improving with every day of training," guard Yotam Halperin said. "We are still not at the level we want to be at in September, but we are on our way there. We will be facing in London teams which will take part in the upcoming European Championships and that will give us a good indication of where we currently stand." For tickets, call +44 (0)844 856 0202 or please visit www.theo2.co.uk/gameon