Full Breakdown
Israel Falls to Georgia in Final Warm-up for World Cup Qualifiers
8/26/2026, 12:47:22 AM
Game Recap
In the concluding exhibition of its preparation schedule, the Israeli national basketball team was defeated 101-90 by the Georgian squad in Tbilisi. The match remained close through three quarters, with Israel briefly taking a one-point lead (69-68) after a third-quarter surge. Georgia responded with consecutive three-pointers late in the fourth, pulling ahead 83-78 with just over five minutes left and ultimately securing the win.
Preparation Challenges
The team's recent trip was disrupted by significant logistical issues, including flight delays and a strike at Ben-Gurion Airport. These setbacks added fatigue and limited practice time before the game, factors highlighted in the coverage of the team's schedule.
Player Performances
Roman Sorkin, a forward from Maccabi Tel Aviv, opened strongly, scoring 11 points in the first ten minutes and finishing with a team-high 25 points and six rebounds. Captain Yam Madar contributed 16 points, eight rebounds and eight assists, while Adam Ariel added 15 points. Khadeen Carrington posted 12 points, and Tamir Blatt supplied eight points, the pair combining for 15 points in the third quarter that helped Israel regain the lead. Netanel Artzi, Guy Palatin, Rafi Menco, Itay Segev and Ethan Burg added modest totals, and additional players Lior Carreira, Yotam Hanochi and Yair Kravitz also saw minutes.
Outlook for the Qualifiers
The loss concludes Israel’s warm-up phase ahead of the upcoming FIBA Basketball World Cup Qualifiers. While the team displayed offensive bursts, the report notes that limited early support for Sorkin and the defensive pressure from Georgia’s frontcourt trio—Toko Shengelia, Goga Bitadze and Sandro Mamukelashvili—highlight areas for adjustment before competitive play resumes.
