By ZACK COLMANmaccabiah basketball 88(photo credit: )
The United States' men's basketball team fell to a shock 73-71 defeat at the hands of Russia on Sunday, coach Bruce Pearl's side's first defeat of it's Maccabiah campaign.
The US was 3-0 entering the game after having little difficulty disposing of opponents Mexico, France and Canada. The Russians were 2-1, its only loss being a six-point heartbreaker to Argentina.
Argentina also won Sunday, beating France 84-74 to improve to 3-0, and it appears it will join Russia and the US in the title contention.
In the only women's basketball game Sunday, Israel had no trouble handing Canada a 63-32 loss. Israel is now 2-1, its only loss being a 65-62 defeat Thursday by the US.
Sunday was the day when the playoff stages of the Maccabiah really got going.
In soccer's quarterfinals, Great Britain's men ousted the US with a 2-0 victory and Mexico shut out Canada 3-0.
The US had yet to allow a goal entering Sunday, outscoring opponents 9-0 but Britain now looks like the favorite for the trophy. The Brits' tough round robin schedule - which included games against France, Argentina and Brazil - could benefit them in the knockout stages.
Also Sunday Israel held South Africa scoreless in 1-0 win, and Argentina booted Australia 3-1.
On the women's soccer side, the US advanced to the final by beating Canada, 3-0, Australia and Brazil tied 1-1 and Israel ended Great Britain's disappointing tournament with an 8-0 win.
Israel and the US will play each other in Wednesday morning's final at Neve Shaanan Stadium. The two teams met Thursday, when the US - which has outscored its opponents 35-0 - won, 5-0.
Quarterfinals also began for futsal Sunday, with Israel dismantling Mexico, 12-2, and Argentina blanking Denmark, 5-0. The undefeated Israel has scored 44 goals while allowing seven, and Argentina has netted 32 while surrendering six. Argentina does, however, have a loss - 2-1 to Brazil to open the tournament.
The group stages of the cricket competition were completed on Sunday, with the final placings seeing South Africa finishing on top having won all its matches, and India securing second place with a win over Great Britain.
Australia, Israel and Britain all finished level on points having won one match each, and with final placings being decided on run rate, it is the GB team which loses out on a shot for the bronze medal.
Monday's junior final will be contested by South Africa, which defeated Israel by nine wickets Sunday, and Great Britain which was so impressive in defeating South Africa in their group match on Friday.
There are few questioning who will take the gold in field hockey, as Holland maintained its unbeaten record with a 6-2 stomping of Argentina. At 3-0, Holland has the tournament's best record.
The US women remain unbeaten in softball after a 15-0 whipping of Canada, doing what the men's team hasn't been able to do. The Canadian men, who have beaten the US twice, supported their top team status with a 10-1 victory over Mexico.
Great Britain won Sunday's lone netball match, edging Israel by a 38-37 score in a rematch of 2005's bronze medal game.
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