EuroBasket 2022 Group D

Group D was widely considered a demanding draw for all sides involved. Before the competition, the prevailing assessment was that Serbia would finish first, the host Czech Republic second, and the Netherlands sixth, with Israel, Finland, and Poland expected to battle for the remaining advancement positions.[5]

Serbia's roster was anchored by Nikola Jokić and Vasilije Micić, making the team the group's standout favorite.[2] Finland was characterized as a dangerous, cohesive opponent led by Lauri Markkanen.[2] The Czech Republic held the significant advantage of playing on home soil in Prague, and their coach Neno Ginzburg was noted to have familiarity with Israeli players.[2] Poland and the Netherlands were viewed as the comparatively weaker sides in the group.[2]

For Israel, the group posed a steep challenge from the outset.[6] The squad's most prominent player, Deni Avdija of the NBA's Washington Wizards, was preparing for his first senior EuroBasket.[7] His preparation was disrupted when he tested positive for COVID-19 and could not travel with the team to Georgia for three pre-tournament exhibition games.[4] Despite that setback, Avdija's personal connection to the group gave the matchups added significance — his father, Zufer, was originally from Serbia, and Avdija remarked ahead of the Serbia fixture: "Games against Serbia are always great for me and I'm 1-1 so far, but I do hope that I can go to 2-1."[7]

Game 1 — Israel 89–87 Finland (OT), September 2

Israel opened its Group D campaign with one of the tournament's more dramatic results. Finland led by as many as 14 points, and Lauri Markkanen was dominant throughout, finishing with 33 points.[8] Israel clawed back into the contest and tied the game at 79–79 on an Avdija three-pointer, forcing overtime.[8] In the extra period, Rafi Menco hit a three-pointer and Gal Mekel converted two free throws to seal an 89–87 victory.[8] Avdija ended the night with 23 points and 15 rebounds.[8] The result was particularly notable given that Israel had lost to Finland 79–73 in a World Cup qualifying game just the week before.[8]

Game 2 — Israel 74–67 Netherlands, September 3

Israel again demonstrated resilience a day later against the Netherlands, falling behind by eight at halftime and by double digits in the third quarter before surging in the fourth period to take the lead and win 74–67.[9] Avdija scored 21 points, Yam Madar contributed 14, and Roman Sorkin added 10 points and six rebounds.[9] The victory moved Israel to 2–0 in the group, while the Netherlands remained winless after two rounds.[9]

Game 3 — Poland 85–76 Israel

Israel's momentum stalled against Poland. The Poles held a 39–33 lead at halftime and extended it to 68–56 after three quarters, ultimately winning 85–76.[10] Avdija had a difficult afternoon, scoring only three points in 28 minutes.[10] A.J. Slaughter paced Poland with 24 points, including six three-pointers.[10] The loss dropped Israel to 2–1.

Game 4 — Serbia 89–78 Israel

Israel faced the group's dominant force next. Nikola Jokić led Serbia with 29 points, 11 rebounds, and five assists, and Serbia prevailed 89–78.[11] The game was described as competitive — Israel cut the deficit to two points in the third quarter — before Serbia pulled away.[11] Madar scored 20 points for Israel, and Avdija added 14 points, six rebounds, and five assists.[11]

Game 5 — Czech Republic 88–77 Israel, September 8

Israel's tournament ended on home soil for the Czechs. Playing in their home arena, the Czech Republic led 53–37 at halftime and held firm despite Israel trimming the gap to five points in the third quarter, eventually winning 88–77.[12] Captain Vojtech Hruban scored 25 points for the hosts, and playmaker Tomas Satoransky nearly recorded a triple-double despite playing through an ankle injury, alongside Jan Vesely.[13] For Israel, Madar scored 16 and Avdija finished with 12 points, 11 assists, and eight rebounds.[12] The defeat eliminated Israel from EuroBasket 2022.[13]

Serbia finished Group D with a perfect record, the only team to go unbeaten through the preliminary round in Prague.[3] Despite that dominance, Serbia was eliminated in the Round of 16, losing to Italy 94–86.[3] Serbia, the Czech Republic, Poland, and Finland advanced to the Round of 16, leaving Israel and the Netherlands outside the group's top four.[1][3]

For Israel, the tournament ended with a 2–3 record: wins over Finland and the Netherlands, followed by consecutive losses to Poland, Serbia, and the Czech Republic.[14] Avdija, despite the disrupted preparation caused by his COVID-19 illness, led Israel in points, rebounds, and assists across the group stage.[4] The early exit meant Israel did not participate in the Round of 16 knockout rounds held in Berlin.[1]

Contemporary accounts of Group D were shaped especially by the contrast between Israel's 2–0 start and its elimination after three consecutive defeats. In a retrospective assessment, The Jerusalem Post described the campaign as deeply disappointing and argued that the narrow wins over Finland and the Netherlands had obscured warning signs visible before and during the tournament.[13]

The same assessment pointed to repeated slow starts, changing lineups, defensive problems, Avdija's disrupted and injury-affected preparation, and broader questions about responsibility within the national-team program. It contrasted Israel's exit with the optimism surrounding players from the country's successful under-20 teams, which had won European titles in 2018 and 2019 after reaching the final in 2017.[13] Serbia's own post-group narrative also shifted sharply: after sweeping Group D, it was eliminated by Italy in the first knockout round.[3]