Israel v Italy | Full Basketball Game | FIBA Women's EuroBasket 2023

Intro foreign [Music] good afternoon here from Tel Aviv Israel welcome folks to the Fable women's eurovasket game day two group the battle between Israel and Italy well Israel fans a little shell-shocked after last night's heavy defeat to Belgium but you could say the same thing about Italy who led by 14 points against the Czech Republic but also ended up losing that game right at the end these two teams in desperate need of a win earlier today Belgium underlining their status as perhaps the team to beat in this competition rolling to a big win over the Czech Republic and now it's time for this one you can see the Belgium up at the top followed by the Czech Republic in 101 which of these teams is going to join the checks with a one-on-one record I'm Jeff Taylor joined once again by Mark bills and uh it's kind of do or die time for these two teams isn't it yeah absolutely it's going to be everything on the line today and both teams will be slightly disappointed by their performances in game day one I think from Israel's perspective they probably didn't go into their game expected to come away with the win but that level of defeat for them may have been a bit of a wake-up call for Italy maybe slightly more frustrated because they would have hoped to Come Away with the win and potentially went into that game actually as favorites particularly with some of the injury issues that the Czech Republic team have had so Italy have to get up off the canvas dust themselves off and get ready mentally just like Israel but that is the nature of tournament play and you want to start with a win always it's not ruinous if you don't win that opening game but I don't know how many people get Venezuelan a chance against Belgium but it was just the manner of the defeat against Italy against the Czech Republic well you would think they'd have a much better chance but then again we were impressed by Italy yesterday the only thing they couldn't do is put the ball in the basket their coach put them in great for their you know their offense put them in great spots they just didn't make shots yeah absolutely you know 58 points is not enough to win many games at this level in fact they were the second lowest scoring team in the whole of eurobasket that's not where they want to be one of the keys again they didn't get to the free throw line enough line enough as well they only had seven free throws in the entire game that shows they're not being aggressive on the offensive end they're not trying to dictate and take the game to their opponents I expect a very different mentality for the Italian well it's just the shrug of the shoulders and a roll of the eyes from Leonardo who just took it into stride he's been in this business a very long time who fully understands that in a game you're going to have a winner and you're going to have a loser and you're going to have disappointments and you know that's part of sports you gotta you got to get over those defeats and come back strong and today if they are supposedly Superior against Israel where they lack there's definitely this crowd which has really been supportive of Israel and yesterday and that heavy yeah to give Israel a lot of credit you know as much as it was a huge debate to Belgium there were some bright points in that game you know you know they're 46 from outside 88 for the free throw line so reasonably efficient scoring the issue they had was they really didn't get to the basket they didn't get inside they didn't do any damage in the front court and they'll need to do that again today they had too many turnovers in that game 22 in total they'll need to look after their possession much better but with the crowd while they have today they'll be hearing them on and trying to lead the victory that they need [Music] so Israel and Italy are now on court final players of Israel come out and uh one of the social initiatives of this Israeli team is to involve obviously the community and so they have come out and they have brought some some people out that have some some of their own challenges to join them on the court said let's do this together and they're going to square off against Italy Sharon Drucker and his team but we're gonna have a pause for the playing of the national anthems thank you [Music] [Music] foreign [Music] thank you [Applause] [Music] foreign [Music] [Applause] all right okay just a few minutes away from the start of the game is uh Sharon Drucker and Lena Lardo shake hands and the players beat it big Court we'll get a look at the referees for today's game pick up the big courts the game poll [Music] Ock Yorkie from Romania arabaki from turkey and Cena from Turkey as well and uh why don't we look at these lineups as well the starting Fires for Italy and plenty of talent for Coach Lardo to select his starting five from the Bible go with today keys and salonsinix and two cheap Andre the Pico a strong five you'll expect more though I think for me starting five today then maybe he got throughout the last game but in particular many highlights and people focusing in on tuchelia zandalascini and rightfully so she had a pretty good opening game 10 points five rebounds eight assists but the stat that got me was open four from outside that's not what you expect from zandalascini expect much more impact from the perimeter from her for me the big thing for Coach Lardo is he probably needs to try and restrict the amount of Energy's adolacini exerts on the defensive end she was playing a lot of Defense in that opening game you want to try and keep her away from that so she can put her energy into office we also saw the uh the very impressive Villas cut fila's coming off the bench the point guard the 18 year old one of the bright spots yesterday for Italy not so much from a scoring standpoint but everything else and for Israel yeah so Baron Cohen Cowles on Rabel and Sims are starting five and uh a lot of rotation from coach druka in that opening game expected to see plenty of players rotating in Off the Bench he doesn't look to lean too heavily on a particular five but a player that did step up in that first game was uh yard and gals on 13.6 rebounds three from four from outside against Belgium that's a great opening game and she'll take a lot of confidence from that just 21 years of age but being asked to take maybe more of a leadership role than a 21 year old usually wouldn't at this level of basketball [Applause] coach basketball Indiana [Music] pick it up hey [Applause] [Music] so it's been a great fever women's eurovasket as the teams come out a lot of unpredictability Italy won the last two games against Israel in the female women's Euro basket quite a long time ago though 2009 and 1991 so I'm not sure we'll take too much from those stats big one for me Israel 23 turnovers in that first game they can't afford that level of complacency on their possession that one has a little bit more relevance doesn't it yeah it really does and that's something I'm sure that coach Drew has been talking to his team about you know working out how do they protect that possession how are they much more focused offensively earlier today here in Tel Aviv Belgium winning big over the Czech Republic 84-51 in Turkey won a thriller over Hungary in Louisiana the first game there today 69-68 so while Israel were on the receiving end of a blowout loss most of the games have been really competitive and some very close ones that have gone right down to the end and some real surprises across both here in Tel Aviv and in laviano and Slovenia you know outside of Belgium I don't think there's any team that's really playing to what their true expectations were and even Belgium I think they're exceeding expectations [Applause] [Music] 1st quarter well good afternoon everybody we're underway from the Tel Aviv Arena the FIFA Women's Euro basket 2023 game game day two battle between Israel and the white in Italy in the blue [Applause] straight away Israel trying to get into the paint for their offense rather than relying on the three-point game if they did against Belgium Xander lucini Here Comes Sims rebounds the roads all right Cohen had it deep brings it back outside Garden gets it back and goes off his early hands [Music] be interesting to see if the other girls on can replicate that opening game performance she certainly had a great first game in eurobasket women's for her but I imagine to see the ball in Sims hands an awful lot more than we saw in game one Cohen dribbled and that was gonna be problems for Africa for Italy Shadow well in the first half yesterday not so much in the second and there is the force obis Andre getting down low and scoring you know one of those players that just gets the jobs done 10 points in the opening game and no glamorous points they're just some of the rubbish points you grab off the board but she does it so well originally nice passing from Italy for three [Music] that offense just made by some really good spacing from Italy making it tough to defend [Applause] uh Sams guarded closely about zandolicini almost turns it over and fortunate that she did not Baron meanwhile drives against Santucci puts it off and burns the trip to the line and I like this from Israel it's a lot more direct it's a lot more aggressive they're trying to get to the basket they're trying to make things happen here's the offense at the other end wide open Santucci for three and at this level you can't give anyone let alone a player like Santucci that kind of space [Music] point to the tournament for santuccino with that three maybe that's one of the reasons why he wanted her in but also possibly looking at the bigger picture he knows he needs to be have a deep Squad confident Squad didn't play quite as many minutes yesterday so get her in and I think this is you know one of the advantages as we see a 2-2-1 press here from Israel I like that that's really aggressive and he's paid off straight away Robert drives and misses and there is garzon cleaning up the mess that's great from Israel they're taking it to Italy by playing that press so early in the game [Applause] well one of the keys to success for Italy is Jasmine keys don't forget down low to the big the big Center and Cohen can't afford to front Andre I'm not sure if that was part of the Scout report part of the plan if you're gonna front entree she's gonna have to back her down under the basket she can't front of that far away [Applause] so orbis Andre does not get the three-point play steel keys and turnovers oh great play by Sims but the whistle blows look like she had a lot of ball there yeah I'm not sure on that call be interesting to see that was at full Pace though and transition basketball is the hardest place for referees sometimes let's have a look yeah actually no I'll give her that her arm certainly caught across the right arm but it's uh a tough call when you're putting so much energy to try and get back into a plate [Applause] [Music] [Applause] [Music] he's really turning into one of the leaders and this Italy team makes both free throws Sims able to get it deep it's just have quite the release on that shot that she needed [Applause] another foul on Sims that is problematic for Coach Drucker if it is it is Sims had this in game day one as well she picked up two early fouls [Music] strict is going to trust her though [Music] live Italy right now I'm gonna attack Sims [Applause] Robert are trying to guard keys she hands it off to Santucci oh and she makes it potential four-point play that is a big place and two cheap second triple of the game and how cool Karma collected is she the chase out is there but it's too much that trip to the line that's what coach Lardo wants to see that's what he wanted to see yesterday and didn't see it [Applause] well the decision to have sentuchi in that starting lineup paying dividends seven quick points for her two three-pointers including a four-point play [Applause] three-point shot is good well if they were trying to get inside why not go back to what was your strength was yesterday get it to garzon from behind the arc calzone was one of the brightest Sparks oh it's pretty Africa fouled by garzon I'm not sure I've ever seen this too consecutive now potential four-point plays and they there's a point of emphasis that they do not allow them to take away their landing spot and they felt like there was enough that she had done that and the plans will have had that communicated to them they'll have been told exactly how the officials want to referee this game and you know as you said that's what they're looking for they don't want to see players undercutting other players when they're in their shooting form when they're off the floor it's such a dangerous thing to do and any hint of that they're gonna call the foul two four-point plays I have to say I've never seen it in a row [Applause] seems like seems like they've awakens parent for Israel she goes right back and gets two points back for her team he liked the vibe from Israel that down one end things might not be working but they continue to keep going they continue to push as a team [Applause] 's pass batted garzon passes up ahead to Baron the baron fouled by keys that's good from Israel they know if they can get some easy points transition buckets are gold dust at this level of basketball so if they get out and run and try and put Italy on the back foot that will certainly help them they see a good defensive team though so don't expect too many easy points for Israel [Applause] she makes one of two they shot pretty well from the free throw line yesterday very well 87 87.5 Third best in the Holy Euro basket yesterday but that was one of the reasons they were able to even stay in the game in the opening stages against Belgium here comes the pass Carson off The Sims Baron inside the robber oh nice yeah absolutely they're passing it around not settling for bad shots working for the good shots [Music] you look at this replay and for me this is great to see because as a coach as a fan you want to see an evolution in your team and don't get me wrong 24 hours is a quick time to try and see an evolution but I see it in front of me this Israeli team is much more balanced in the way they're approaching today's game they aren't so overruled maybe with the the occasion or the crowd and it's good to see [Music] [Music] foreign [Music] [Music] [Music] brutally shooting the ball well from outside San too cheap with a couple of Threes including that four-point play we didn't get to see The elusive three four point plays in a row though we only got to see two uh yeah Italy shooting the ball much better today now he shot 24 6 and 25 in game day one so this will settle some nerves that they have some offensive threat [Music] America [Music] here's Santucci played under seven minutes yesterday today she's starting [Applause] with the rebound [Applause] s two free throws awarded a foul called on Andre Sims does need to get herself going and sometimes as a player and your coach will tell you just just make something happen you know be a little bit selfish try and create something for yourself but for me maybe a little bit of a step too far she went into a double almost treble team uh got bailed out a little bit there by getting the foul calling heading to the line it is true coach drewco is quite philosophical about the game yesterday he understands how it fits in that bigger picture the process the Israeli basketball is going to go through to make this team competitive at this level to a few maybe tournaments time be there pushing Court they meddle all the trophy [Music] San lucini pumped while hitting a three-pointer can you believe it and Israel have to learn they've undercut again this is three times they've been called for the same foul the officials will have told them you cannot do this look at it go underneath the feet of zandalasini such a dangerous play the officials are right to call it yeah this is just an injury waiting to happen and if I'm the Italian team I'm asking coach Rucker can you please tell your players to stop doing this it's not good defense it's not going to help you and it's only going to hurt us the best way to come to stop us to keep him making your free throws certainly will help I'm sure zandalasini will be happy as well after not making any threes in that opening game to get one away in the first quarter in the first five minutes we'll uh give her a little bit more confidence [Music] [Applause] good hands Santucci great hustle back Baron she gets it to Ruppert she gets it back she launches but she stepped out of bounds [Applause] it is a legitimate injury situation and the right to to police it so to speak I mean I remember at the World Cup in 2014. Sergey gladier was undercut was lost for the tournament yeah and you've seen it you know multiple times big names losing months if not years out of their careers because of that injury so the refs are right to call it hopefully Israel will stop [Applause] she kind of swipes at the ball and knocks over rookberg I think he wasn't really the initial attempt I think it was the fact that xanderlusini almost left her arm in there to stop the uh advance of rotberg it wasn't her trying to attempt it's just the uh probably the clothesline the more WWE clothesline to finish the play out there was the problem I just think it was the Collision well no no she wasn't able to stop but for having played just yesterday zanto senior seems to be getting around pretty quickly out there here's Cohen being pushed out by Andre rubber they're going to say before the shot and uh one thing you say about okay now a technical foul has been called on Sharon Drucker yeah I think it's through frustration that it wasn't given as a continuation play I think he believed that it was Mission from coach Drew crew you need to be a little bit careful now another uh loose word and he might be heading back to the locker room which is not what his team needs [Applause] so what are the continuation or he felt like he should have had the basket I don't necessarily think that's a bad technical friend the only thing is you're down seven so in that sense it is but you're pretty hot because you're giving away three four point plays he's one of those as the team they'll kind of like it in a way if you're a player because it gets you riled it gets you kind of that team cohesion comes in on the back your coach has got your back he's trying to get you know everything he can for you but just the timing you know Israel was starting to mount a little bit of a comeback things were moving their way a little bit more and uh giving away three points to Italy is probably not the best uh piece of advice [Applause] I know scottofiko did miss the free throw so [Music] yeah they did [Music] a chance for Israel who again other than other than their fouls on the three-point shots they've played pretty well [Applause] sent through two with the rebound and the foul I think that one's on Baron I was about to say I'm enjoying watching yard of gals on play defense lots of products went her way after the first game about her offensive production but defensively her footwork is great she's reading the game well to stay in front of Santucci in that situation and she was guarding Keys as well so she can guard across the positions and yeah for me that's a two-way player in the making in gals on she could be the Superstar for Israel for years to come well they teach good man-to-man defense in Indiana that's for sure very true men women you name it although I'm pretty sure she could play good D before she went there [Applause] [Music] she is bringing it across mid Court tough assignment for her going up against Anthony but probably relishes the opportunity Cohen bumped and the former Northwestern star gets to the line [Applause] yeah and again for me it's the right cool it's quite a light call if you were to look at it objectively but if you're going to call any contact in the shooting engine that's what that was that was contact during the shooting action it's not while she's on the floor it's not a little more bump on the cutter or on the dribble it's it's while she's taking the shot so any contact the officials are going to call it takes her time and makes the first [Applause] big tournament for her chance to play for Israel 30 years of age makes both Santucci into the corner spray africo it's good well she is definitely a first half three-point shooter we've seen it in consecutive days multiple threes from her she certainly has shot the ball well here's Cohen decides to take it all the way in and ends up getting blocked by keys [Music] [Applause] and from the right shot is no good from somebody Africa another good three-point shooter Francesca pan has checked in the game for Italy Israel will certainly have to start chasing the perimeter a lot harder than they have been so far but controlled remember they can't overly Chase because they've committed numerous fouls nice passing shot doesn't drop for Garcon [Applause] 's gonna go out take a seat and that will open up the door for a simple it is simple to check in the 20 year old [Applause] yeah Verona into the game for Italy and I'm really interested to see how coach lado rotates between his point guards today I don't think at the moment he is set on who he's starting point guard who is who his lead point guard is he kind of has three equal options at the moment and maybe he's using these Greek group stages to work out what is the right option for him I thought you and I were both in agreement that uh that Villa was the best point guard she just didn't make her shots yeah you know in game Italy looked better when she was on the floor they looked like a better team particularly offensively when she was on the floor but again it's just one game yeah small sample size wait to see how she plays in today's game haven't seen it yet it's about to say we're still waiting yeah what's he waiting for rockberg on the Baseline fouled by Verona who again has had kind of a frustrating start she's the one player that you would really have expected to have a good start this Euro basket after a strong season at skio [Music] yeah she's had a kind of phenomenal rise to this senior national team picking up World Cup gold in 2016 in the under 17s and just progressing through that Junior program and then breaking through to the senior kind of domestic ranks as you say with skio and a huge campaign on a fairy tale campaign they had in Euroleague women's this year and you were kind of I was excited to see okay let's see here put this now on the big International stage and yeah maybe the nerves got the the better of her just 23 years old but I think there's plenty more to see from a smallest episodes yes absolutely absolutely thank you [Applause] so that one is good as well Cohen's break was uh very short-lived she's back in the game straight away [Music] foreign [Music] checked in number 13 for Italy here she is with the basketball he's going up against garzon spans turns releases all right Carson battling but look at Verona she heard us talking there that's the Verona we've been watching all season absolutely that is why Verona has had so much hype around her her ability to disrupt and cause issues for the other team leaving two Israeli players on the floor as she gets her first points of the game proper stronger the basketball leans up had the sharper Miss Here Comes Italy and tried to get to kubai nowhere close looked like kubai may be nudged a little bit but still probably would not have caught that one interesting match up here yeah very interesting I'm surprised Rona wasn't putting more pressure on the ball in that situation I wouldn't see gals on as a natural point guard Cohen [Applause] oh the pass right idea just thrown behind a little bit briaphico doesn't go for it she wasn't going to get it and was hoping the call would go their way Lena Lardo pacing perhaps a little more hope but understanding that it's a long game as he remembers from yesterday because his team went from being in control to losing and also I think he knows the longer Israel stay close to Italy the more stressful this game comes for him and his team for the miss rodberg and Italy will hold for one shot [Applause] Verona took it too early Robert has a chance gets it off in time but it's short so Italy with the upper hand here at the end of the first quarter they lead it 30 to 18 over Israel and if we were concerned about the Italian offense I think those concerns have now been slightly put to bed today they only scored 59 points in the entire game yesterday 30 points in the first 10 minutes and there you're shooting percentages you know they're getting to the free-throw line that's an important part of the process they're five from nine from outside including numerous four-point plays I'm sure coach Lardo is Happy on the offensive side of things I imagine that his conversation will be more about the defense Santucci with the big three plenty of big plays from Santucci in that first quarter and certainly her personally making a play Maybe to have a bigger role in the rotation than was indicated in that opening game she's got nine points at the end of the first quarter two rebounds as well as a couple of steals so she's done a phenomenal job in that first quarter as for Israel their leading scorers are gals on and baron both with Five Points but uh Italy and more the Italy that I think we expected to see yesterday a little bit more of an Italian feel to this game we did see some of that yesterday in the first half so a lot a lot better play for them early yeah I think so I think the Italian performance yesterday you have to give a huge amount of credit for what the Czech Republic did I don't think this was a poor Italian team or a bad performance I think the Czech Republic just came in and and imposed themselves on the game and didn't let the Italians settle didn't let them take control of the game and dictate how the game is going to be played so scanning that barcode to get Courtside 1891 in your smartphone box stats uh you can watch all the games live international basketball just download it from the App Store get it in your smartphone I can see people around this Arena right now looking at it second game of the day earlier Belgium rolled to another big win over the Czech Republic perhaps uh if they weren't the favors before this tournament the only thing I can say is what were you thinking about if you made that prediction because nobody looks even close to being as good 2nd quarter as them right now and all the conversation around this Italian team prior to the tournament wasn't necessarily about the trophy it was about can they get into those metal kind of levels can they get into the final four the semi-finals maybe at their Target and then it's anyone's game good job getting it down low yeah I think Italy and bare minimum wants to get to the FIBA women's Olympic qualifying tournaments get into that top six of France or in that top six because obviously they have a spot in the Olympics as the host that ball goes off the hands of Cohen Keys doesn't mess around just goes all the way outside it's pretty africo oh excellent work from keys but then commits the foul yeah as a player it's one of those frustrating fouls you're as far away from your own basket as you can be an enforgeous momentum dragging her into committing that foul that's going to be her second so coach Lardo will make the change I'm gonna bring in the captain Martina pestagno [Applause] [Music] on the floor at the same time expect uh maybe a more physical brand of basketball from Italy now both ways Baron off the rim [Applause] [Music] [Applause] and Verona a chance to impose herself a little bit [Applause] [Music] oh that is from Italy they kind of changed the focus of their offense now because they're playing a little bit more of a bigger five they're able to look to move the ball towards that position [Applause] s it would be nice for Lardo to get kubai going and and that was a little bit of a sloppy play for Israel another trap in the backcourt Verona able to get out of trouble it's a bold move by Israel to trap that far up the floor [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Applause] the game every player can shoot the ball now has to have the ability to create some kind of space either with a step back a little bit of a crossover and some form of move to create that separation which wasn't quite there though Martina faster's just checked into the game if I see an excuse me [Music] [Music] oh none of these players can believe anything looking at those shots [Music] [Applause] barons stops makes the eulogize pass to Cohen he wasn't there yeah this Penny of core IQ in the front court for Italy it's tough to make those interior passes they do understand the passing Lanes good job good defense from Zippo and here comes Sams a little bit of Sims magic that's exactly what Sims needed it looked like she was fouled on the way up the floor at the half she just kept going nothing was gonna get in away there was only one way that play was gonna finish him as we can see it was going to the bucket draws the contact and there's the Raw that's what it means to uh she's doing all she can for her team so leor garzon goes out Sims at the line [Applause] [Music] [Applause] [Music] oh boy pan wide open over here on the left wing Verona launches herb attempt feel a little bit of a momentum swing maybe towards Israel right now and I need to capitalize when they get that level of game they need to make it pay nice drive a nice dish that was all Jenny Sims right there yeah and I think they need to put the ball in a hand when she gets like this you can see how punch she is how height she is get the ball in her hand make the most of that feeling pasino takes a deep in his blocks back Cohen and now a little bit of words being exchanged I love that Cohen and facina Cohen trying to get the crowd hyped as well Cohen just batting that one away very disrespectful but in a good way saying don't think you can bring easy stuff in here that's going to get dealt with the way it should be officials rightfully so just trying to take a little bit of heat out of the conflict now just giving it a little bit of time Watch What Happens I love that I think she might have gotten her on the left arm as well [Music] there's the stair down most definitely uh the stare down was coming from facina there's no way Cohen was going to back down from that there is an enforcer in this Israeli team you would say it is Cohen be interesting to see how bastania reacts to that now but stanio certainly plays that mother role within the team she'll stick up for all the rest of her teammates she takes on a similar role [Music] [Applause] said Tootsie is the ball tapped by Sims but they couldn't get it now zandalizini comes back in Cohen [Applause] and Italy's woes have gained one have come back to the horn and they've only scored two points now in the first well more than three and a half minutes of this second quarter offensively they are struggling again [Applause] to try to do a little too much there's no real surprise that coach Lardo has brought sandlassini back into the game if you need some offense the most likely place it's going to come from frequently she provides it and all she needs is a little bit of space at the moment the Italian offense isn't very well spaced they need to try and spread the floor a little bit more one-on-one's Handler scene is near Unstoppable but if Israel can help across that makes it tougher Zippo to the corner Baron [Applause] [Music] [Applause] urging her team to try and put some Tempo in the game when they get possession oh nice Curt back door sandals Sandy comes right off the bench two baskets from her and normal service has resumed and that super smart from xanderlacini She's read there trying to deny her possession look how much Baron is overplaying defensively so what does Anderson do a little jab step out and then a quick back door cut wide open for the easy score want to save you throughout the Monday if we want to do let's move out I don't understand what is in our system post up here I don't understand let's do big and all in motion to come stream you have here you wave here you have much better shot this side of this it's very good and it's much better for us pizza this bus stop is nothing for us okay and Coach drewco makes it a good point what are we saving our fouls for why are we giving a player like Xander lessini that kind of space you've got to make her earn a point look how easy this is where's the foul there should be some weak side rotation there should be a big stepping across even if you're late and you make contact that's much better let him earn and from the free throw line you can't give a play like zanolicini the chance to get some heat and get some going on the offensive side so already uh surpassing yesterday's total foreign [Music] [Applause] they want to try and keep it no more than 13 points ideally if they can get it back to single digits they'd be more than happy to go in the locker room because it gives them a chance in the second half let me extend this even further it's a big ask zipple looking good and is not that doesn't get the roll front back of the rim topped up and hit the front of the rim again it's a good looking shot though the past the keys and goes out of bounds off of her hands [Applause] hasn't had the impact no I think a lot of people are expecting so far but within this Italian team I'm still waiting to see what roll Keys plays usually she's a little bit more of an aggressive physical four but the Italian team have a lot of that already so she's almost being asked to be more like a three which I'm not sure she's overly comfortable with right Cohen's going to go right at Santa lucini pass it back outside and this didn't look quite as good from Zippo [Applause] [Music] Santucci nope but that was the pace that zandalasini was asking for she put it into the offense herself and she knows that Israel's defense wants it set is tough to break and bustango Shooters bounce ran backboard through biggest lead of the game nope 14 points yep it is the biggest Our Song catches and scores he's definitely got to get touches gotta run plays for her yeah for me offensively you're going through Sims and gals on every offense if you can they've got to be a big part of it because they're the ones that have that creative ability to make something happen on the offensive end even if it's not them scoring it will draw enough defense to facilitate other players Florida wanted to hold this was Garcon catching it before that [Applause] [Music] foreign yet maybe she's resting up for the second half rutburn a good defensive rotation for Santa lucini she's just tracked across and helped out yeah the Villia thing is interesting before the tournament coach Lardo was talking about taking pressure off her is this rotation part of that process wow she's automatic from that distance spot and this is the zandalascini that will drive Italy into the latter stages of this tournament if she can play this kind of game every game then yes they will be there they will be in with a shout of making it through to at least the semi-finals so in fact she has the same amount of points that she scored yesterday right now and she's begging for the basketball right now and her teammates are ignoring her she's frustrated I've got a hot hand i'm scoring I'm finding it easy to find options for myself please just put the ball in my hand and I'll get us points Casino takes it right away from Baron who's unfortunately has been a little careless with the basketball again another chance for Carson 16-point deficit she launches it's good she's great yeah this is unreal for me galson has really stepped up just 21 years old playing obviously in college basketball at the in America so still so much more development to come um but still able to compete at one of the highest levels in the world right here [Applause] [Music] different [Music] my teacher [Music] okay [Applause] can't praise girls on enough here's the back door cut when she found xanderlucini napping a little bit on that defensive possession step back and this is what I was talking about Jasmine key she's being asked to play the three she's being asked to play a lot more perimeter defense than she's used to and gauzon makes her pay she identifies the fact that Keys doesn't want to fully commit to her so she makes sure that she makes her pay fully with that three but what a talent we have here in yard of gaussen 10 points already two or two from Deep yeah and 13. in yesterday's game and you kind of look to coach Drew Canal can he build a team around girls on a sheet grows up bounce faster Africa long rebound to Italy [Applause] and that is what is Angela Simi keeps asking for the ball she's feeling it she is absolutely feeling this game right now and the more they can put the ball in a hats the better it will be for Italy they need to trust him back to a 16-point lead and this time being fouled on the jump shot is Israel Here Comes San Pucci and three free throws so what comes around goes around yeah absolutely a little bit of karma right it's the right call she's gone he's gone most players what we're seeing now the Smart Ones is they're almost running past the player rather than going directly at them to try and put them off if you go directly at them it's really tough to make sure you stop in time now just 24 years old but I know coach Duke is leaning on her to uh try and Lead this team a little as well maybe a little bit higher level of experience in her Club career [Music] serves the three points make it take it back to a 13-point deficit Israel and now we've got the match up I want to see girls on against [Applause] the hot hand gets it and the hot hand delivers it's a pretty straightforward offense now for Italy give the ball to xanderlacini that's all that coach needs to write on the board doesn't need to draw any X's and O's or any arrows just straight forward put the bones in his hands and just like that coach takes her out of the game that's crazy I don't get that all right maybe on the back of a timeout but it's a time out here to chill with her just give her as many minutes as you can right now trying close this game out as early as you can on the back of zanzini's hot hand s [Music] are in the air for the shot I don't know how to unlock me I don't know we are playing five and five I don't know [Music] Baseline 19 seconds defensively there's the weak side rotation from her for the block stops on a dime to create that space and drains the jumper with ease and sandalsini is absolutely unconscious right now autopilot offensively scales on tries to recover I'm saying just don't help don't help away from zandalasini the rest of the team you're going to have to work as a four and almost you'd be tempted to potentially even go it'd be crazy but at this stage what'd you do go to a box on one maybe just keep chasing her to try and give her a bit of a heat check you have to call it out coach Lardo has helped by bringing it to the bench um but I'm sure she'll be back in the second half to try and pull more points for Italy ozone has to get it right at the end very close indeed [Music] also goes behind her back to Cohen kubai came out to guard her now the key for me here is how did Italy play offensively without sandolacini because there's going to be tapes interesting power from rockberg but there's going to be phases in this game where Santa lucini isn't on the floor or has foul troubles or isn't feeling it Italy need to find some other form of offense because I'm not sure I've really truly seen what that looks like is it about going inside and trying to bully your way to the basket is it more about cutting and driving is it the three-point game they need to find a plan B outside of xanaxina [Music] [Applause] Carson tried to foul to get away with it and lardo's looking at the referees like can you see her grab her and even calzone put a hand up and said yep that's a foul and was surprising when the officials didn't call it [Applause] [Music] having a animated conversation right now with one of the officials officials saying just need to calm down and let us do our job croissant and ah he goes on Mr layer their mistakes you cannot afford to make that's a nice out of bounds play Cohen drawing the defense away with the first cut but the second cutter has to score [Applause] [Music] [Applause] I think the Israeli team at the moment are taking coach Drew because comments maybe a little bit too literally saying you don't have many fouls keep committing fails I think he was trying to say use them tactically don't just try and foul constantly three seconds left in the half what can it be produce oh good defense from Israel and santoshi doesn't even get it off in time so a mountain decline for Israel and they're going to stay in this tournament Lena Lardo says there was a foul that went missing Italy nevertheless leaded 47-31 over Israel at halftime an interesting first half I think after the first quarter Italy would have been very happy pouring 30 points in in that first quarter their percentages still look pretty good but they have dropped they only had 17 points in that second quarter as Israel's defense certainly picked up Italy dominating the rebounding situation from coach druka's point of view though he'll be happy to see just seven turnovers in that first half but he's still not great but a lot better than they were looking in game day one there's only one story coming out of this first half right Xanadu absolutely phenomenal Italy putting behind there offensive woes of game one and playing a lot more free and fluid in game two but so much of that is going through San lucini's hands she scored more than a third of their points in this first half but I also like her attitude she's confident she's aggressive she's demanding the ball she wants to proactively lead her team they just need to trust that they need to lean into it when she's feeling it there's the back door cut and from Israel's perspective they need to overplayer they need to double on her they need to switch across they need to use their fouls against her that's the only way you're going to slow it down right now [Applause] Israel's hopes effectively of staying in this competition hanging by a thread at halftime with Italy on top because if Italy lose if Italy win this one they go to 1-0 they would have the head-to-head over Israel and then Israel would really need it would come down to them beating yeah Czech Republic yeah and that's a big ask and even if they did we then into some serious mats so from your perspective then they would be one and both of them would be one and two and then it would depend if Italy were to beat Belgium because if Italy did not then three one and two teams we need character [Applause] in chemistry Diva basketball World Cup is the peak of the game it's the toughest competition in the basketball World to Win that is why I will be there because when you went for one you went for all [Music] ah [Applause] here in the fourth quarter how about that picks the pocket and smoothness and she goes all the way and it's gonna be an air one huge amount Belgium with an eight-point lead and really dominating the game right now game driving to the basket [Music] number three they look so much better they look so much more comfortable when they try and slow the game down [Music] great defensive effort because they've just got over the top Anderson in transition it's a real threat puts up the flow of the two took all the contacts [Music] and at the end of the first quarterback [Applause] [Music] and finishes looks to go down the Baseline again goes the long way that's correct hands quick pass by manunga an outing transition behind the back by Van lorazimon can do everything here in Tel Aviv on replay cause this was Razzle Dazzle here look things goes behind the back [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] well to Chile of zando Cellini has been like a shot of espresso for Italy especially in the second quarter when she caught fire look at her 16 points three or four from Deep three four inside the arc and playing like at her best when Italy needed yeah zandolicini stepping up I think she'll have uh been really purposeful approaching today's game after yesterday's game she didn't have a bad game but she didn't have the level of game that maybe she was expecting or she thinks that she should have brought to the floor and she's been very purposeful today there's the three that's a beautiful shot as well I love that one and uh yeah she certainly had the impact that she wanted to it's just now for Italy to maximize how good she is when she's on the floor hey no surprise croissant is the leading scorer for Israel so excited to see how gaozon progresses throughout this tournament she had a great opening day I'd say she's having an even better game day two putting in big performances and it's not just one-dimensional it's not her just bullying away to the basket she's not just a slasher to the basket as you see here she can shoot the ball as well he's got good form she's gonna shoot contested shots and she is tough to guard certainly uh excited to see how she progresses not just the tournament but over the coming years as well she's going to be the main State or the backbone of this national team I imagine for quite a few years well there are some similarities with both of these teams they have spells where they play well of course longer spells for Italy when they play well and Lena Lord will be hoping that they can kind of sustain it over the course of the 40 minutes and that is the key isn't it in tournament play particularly it's about day after day quarter after quarter putting in consistently strong performances there's a reason why Belgium have been so impressive is because we've seen 80 minutes now of non-stop basketball being played at a super high level they've not taken a possession off they've not had a bad quarter and that is what will enable you to lift a trophy at the end of the tournament yeah Belgium Belgium have played perfect basketball and even the you could hear their coach saying must respect the competition to give our best for 40 minutes yep so absolutely I don't know if this is the the Brit in me that you just got if I was a Belgian fan I'd be worried I'd be like please don't have a bad thought when we really need you to have a good quote don't use up all your good quarters in the uh in the group stages save a little bit of that for uh for later on but yeah it's you know if you're a Belgium fan now it was interesting in the press conference as well one of the journalists asked um do you have any doubts that you're gonna lift the trophy and it was a really no he was like no he said as a coach if I don't believe in my team who's gonna yeah he was like I believe we are good enough and we are going to lift the trophy and that's you know that's a different mindset that's a Next Level and it looks like they have that mindset as a team but we've lived through uh several years of for example Serbia being able to raise their level through tournaments so even if they're missing now certain key players from the past are they going to have players that can step up and at least give them a chance to win it and to be a problem for Belgium oh without a doubt Belgium are going to have bigger challenges as this uh this tournament progresses um for sure that's you know not even a question they've still got the challenge of Italy on uh on Sunday but we just feel that the Belgian team are approaching in such a work-like fashion you know even watching them pre-tournament during their training sessions they were so focused they were so locked in the coaches the players they were all in sync building towards that win you just wonder what teams can step in their way and I suppose that's what other teams are looking to emulate we saw xanderlacini there I'm sure she'd love to be on an Italian team that had that mindset I think at the moment this Italian team is in that transition of okay how do we go to that next level we are probably at the moment in most people's minds a second tier international team not quite at the top table not quite expected to be in the final fours of tournaments how do we make that progression yeah I mean the reality is Italy don't know if they're even going to make it to the quarterfinals you know that you know I think for them fortunately they're in the same group as Israel because that gives them that opportunity to get into the qualification for the quarterfinals and that's when it becomes problematic can they win that game to move on now they could implode in the second half but not beat Israel but I would be surprised if that were to happen yeah with a 16-point lead at this stage you would expect them to try and consolidate that lead and push forward and you know ideally because if we do get into a three-way head-to-head points difference will matter and I'm sure coach Lardo will be talking to his team look if we get up by 20 we need to be 30 we need to be four we need to push push push because you just don't know what's going to come around the corner when it comes to the quarterfinals or the qualifiers for the quarterfinals once you're in a one and done situation to a certain degree all bets are off if you have a good day and you're a you know maybe an underpar team you can really cause an upset that's the exciting thing from Italy's perspective if they can get into those one and done games a bit of a handful of games away from maybe being in the final if they can put those big performances in well we've uh we've seen him come up short time and time again really over the years going all the way back to 2000 for me 2009 um and we'll see if they can they can get it together I think the five feels better this year for Italy than it did last year that's for sure and you have to wonder uh when you look at some you know the balanced competition at this your basket if you're gonna make that leap this is the year to do it at least to get it to get to the podium uh we saw turkey for example they've had some real struggles in recent times but today really digging in and coming out getting a one-point win against Hungary when they could have easily faded right there and it really stealed them as well they've got obviously injury issues we saw at the back end of that game um going down with what looked like a pretty bad ankle injury she certainly looked in a huge amount of pain as she uh was helped off the floor um they're now basically effectively down to what looks like could be a 10 player a squad for the rest of the tournament but maybe sometimes that adversity really brings a motivation to a team but yeah I think there's one or two teams where you'd be like yeah they're pretty much destined for the semi-finals the way they've played so far but the nice thing is because we've a balanced tournament that's not guaranteed that that's going to be the case the the guarantees are going to be there there are a few spots available for some underdogs to fight through I know in Ljubljana Hungary is another one that one of our our colleagues is uh certainly very keen on but that's who turkey is just don't know it's uh certainly an interesting tournament so far let's get into the barcode to get the FIBA women's eurobasket app into your smartphone and uh you'll have everything you need follow this tournament get it on Google Play or the Apple Store [Applause] we know the situation for Israel they got to come out fighting for their lives but this is also the situation where Italy has to be ruthless they're on top they need to put them away yeah and that's another symbol for me that's another sign of what level a team is at you know you look to we keep talking about it but you look at Belgium they don't stop they they just push for 40 minutes and they will win by as many as they can win by there's no complacency there's no possessions that they take off they just push and push and push it's Relentless and to be a top team you have to be that way and this is going to be the acid test now for Italy are they going to win this game by 16 points or are they going to win it by 30 to 40 points they win it by 30 to 14 tells us a lot about who they are foreign 3rd quarter [Music] [Applause] second half underway in Tel Aviv Italy had a steal so Israel catch a break they'll keep possession Cohen steps behind the arc Nails a three he's definitely a good shooting pivot yeah she really is she's able enables Israel to stretch the floor a little didn't see much of it in the first half of this game he saw plenty in yesterday's game and that's provides a problem for Italy to match up against [Applause] sets a pick and the rule was she wasn't set she's just lent into that screen she's I think it's more she's worried about the impact that she's gonna get so she leans into it and turns us well oh that's a tough one to take his shoulder to the face that's Key's third foul though so how coach Lardo deals with that the moment he's trusting her to stay on the floor with three as Sims drives in and earns a trip to the line leads over to help Santucci up I'm not sure the Italians think that was a charge either Santucci was in the restricted zone or she faded slightly laterally to draw that contact that's her third foul as well so early foul problem for Coach Lardo to deal with now he's not short of uh very good point guards though you know it could be the Villa has an injury that we're not aware of or some type of niggle I just have an underlying feeling that coach Lardo is trying to take some of the attention away from her he doesn't want the spotlight on her he doesn't want her to feel the pressure because if she turns in big performances early on the Italian fans will quickly hook on to the fact and pin their hopes on her and maybe zandalascini to lead them to uh Glory oh look as Angela Sandy that was just [Applause] a star I'm one of the best players in the world quality yeah and you look at a body language it's it you know people talk about this confidence and arrogance uh uh a thin line between the two she's standing on that line perfectly right now she knows how good she is and Italy need to maximize that I don't see the arrogance at all on her if anything I'd like to see a little bit more because she's she's got the potential [Applause] [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Applause] no movement off the ball whatsoever she goes again wow look at that look at that you know you don't even need to look to see if the ball's gone through the hoop David Sanders soon as she lets go she knows that that's going down chitu is turning on all cylinders today Baron good defense by keys there read that play well it's pretty Africa on the break [Applause] so at the positive start but now Israel trailing by 18. and now the test is for Israel how do they react they've come out of the locker room coach Drew has had his words but the effect hasn't been had well nobody boxes out all this Andre [Applause] and Coach drook is going to have to call the time out because his team have just been mulled in the opening two and a half minutes of this second half and the game is uh not slipping away I think he's completely flying away from them right now we'll go down to the bench every time we don't know what we are doing it's a turnover every time you want to keep doing this you're doing this you want to keep doing this into English we just turn over the ball we don't know listen to him can we play one side I think at all what we did one and a half months one time that's it one time look at this they can't stop her she is near Unstoppable when she plays with this amount of confidence I didn't see this yesterday but this is the zandalascini an Italian fans absolutely loved she's doing it all for them right now and you see how frustrated that mannequin goes druka and you know you can understand his frustrations although they don't trial by as many today he's more frustrated today than he was yesterday because Israel are just not playing any of their basketball particularly offensively they're not putting anything on the floor that he's asked them to do they're just running their own thing and that's where his frustration is coming from because he knows that his team can give more than they've got right now well even though uh Albert turenza got the MVP in 2017 for me there wasn't a more exciting player in that Europe after women than sandalsini he's definitely playing even better now than then here is Ben right out of the timeout that is exactly what coach Drew was asking for a little bit more patience a little bit of lateral ball movement right that space and a nice little step back for the three talk about desperate for a bucket but can they do anything with number nine because otherwise we'll be coming out the next time out watching more highlights of her here is Andre wow give the assist attention imagine if they can find a good big Force handle the scene to partner up to that one two punch will be really tough to stop here she is forcing the turnover with the reach Santucci on the break get it to chitches sandalsini [Applause] [Music] unbelievable from Santa lucini defense she's getting him passing Lane she's reading how Israel are playing this game she knows where people are going to roll where they're gonna come he's making a nuisance of herself and as soon as that Ball's released she is the lightning down the floor to lead the transition [Music] Sims from downtown rubber fighting for the basketball goes out of bounds stay at this end and here's the pass for Santucci to zandalascini and really that play was made at the other end of the floor with the end of the scene he's just making it uses of herself and yeah running out of blood it's to give zanolasini in this game because she's just doing everything right [Music] and good see it again from Keys a scrap for the basketball rather goes for it [Applause] broadberg goes Baseline they whip it around and they're trying to get a Cohen is fouled and she's able to finish she takes the foul from Andre and I like that from Cohen that's veteran leadership that's someone who's reading the emotions and the spirit of her team right now they're struggling a little bit so she just says right I'm gonna find a place that I know I can create from not necessarily renowned for the handle but a couple of strong dribbles to the basket and she's in contention [Music] my God [Applause] so we're back to an 18-point deficit [Applause] Sims guarding zandalasini she's not going to get a touch on this occasion and they waited too long for defense from Israel and I really like that if I'm Israel deny possession the sandals Scenic everything throw everything and keeping the ball out of their hands and say fine we know you can beat us with xanderlusini how are you going to beat us with Ella okay we're going to overplayer we're gonna deny a possession we're going to run a ragged how can you beat us with our epics at the moment just playing straight up that's not working for Israel I think edley can still get her the ball if they want to just let her start the offense there's Cohen again driving in Jasmine Keys is very vociferous disagreement on every call that's number four he'll have to take a seat and transmit key is not not having a tournament that she wants to have I think she'd much rather play as the solo big the solo legitimate front Court player on the floor and play with a lot smaller lineup than coach Lardo is playing with at the moment but it's not for Italy to change it's for keys to find a way to fit into maybe a slightly larger lineup than Suitor so she's already surpassed her high as well she's now got 11 points at eight against Belgium speaking of Cohen and Sam's crashes the boards but couldn't get the basketball here so San Jose and he gets the touch now she gets rid of it [Music] if it goes through her again she gets the touch she puts it up and she is absolutely well just call the fire department what are you waiting on I'm not sure what more Israel need to see before they realize they cannot help away from Santa Rossini Sims made a step to help don't make that step stay true just deny possession to Xander the scene Santucci knocks it away goes the other way gets it back from Martina pestagno then misses the layup [Applause] Cohen for three nope [Music] [Applause] she got stuck with a mismatch she really did a one there was no way that Cohen wants to be playing perimeter defense against xanderlusini so the early foul is the Smart foul City watch how this foul takes place I know so this is for a shot [Applause] true it's it's absolutely beautiful shooting form and you can just feel the confidence that she has right now you don't want to have to guard her but as you know she's putting you on the poster nice catch by vestagno but does not finish [Applause] [Music] [Applause] Robert fouled and he's injured as well the way she landed [Applause] did not look like a comfortable landing at all the lower back right now to our feet thankfully for coach Drew cut watch this goes as she drives [Music] not a player you want to come down and land into she's uh she kind of landed into her hip but I think bastagno is arguing that she already had position planted her feet there yeah it looked like it for me it defensively what more can you do she probably could have been Square she could have been front on rather than sideways on that often will lead into a foul call because you know it looks like you've stepped into that position [Applause] trying to walk it off because they knew her out there workberg come on okay well they haven't gone away yet Israel despite the Avalanche points from Santa lucini Corona gets it across mid Court still 13 minutes and 20 seconds to go in the game Verona [Applause] 's over the backboard and out of bounds [Applause] I think Italy have to accept you'd think that they were losing the way the way they talked to the referees I mean they have to accept there's physicality in the game which they initiate an awful lot of yeah you can't be looking for a foul on every single call okay now that looked a little dirty from rutberg actually falling on top of Verona uh no no reaction from Verona I'm not gonna lie we're obviously you know almost halfway through day two I'm enjoying the physical nature of this tournament it seems to be yeah a little bit more contact a little bit more physicality they the officials seem to be calling when the physicality makes an impact on the play that was a great move by Rob air but not close to finishing against Santa lucini the ultimate finisher in this game and here she goes again as soon as she gets the ball I want the dramatic music to start every time he's out of the scene he takes possession of the wall [Applause] this uh this game today is uh it's like Santa lucini's world and we're just living in it it's for Africa Joker wanted to travel chases down the loose ball the long rebounds Drew can needs to be careful already has one right near the official sandersini as if we didn't know no you don't even want to think about taking her out right now this is unreal I mean she's uh something about this is really Israeli teams brings out the best in the shooters of their opponents we saw it yesterday from Van Lou and Horizon who [Music] has now erupted for 27 points and we've still got 11 40 to go here she goes again she puts it up and she's fouled shooting the three and trucker gives a long look at his player Rob air for like what are you thinking about this is the fourth time that Israel have fouled the three-point shooter yeah look at that you can't step out like that oh wow so you just uh I just let me throw this out there mark Mills is like a stat s genius you're like my numbers he is like Mark do you want to go out this weekend do some fishing take some place about now I'm going to be crunching some stats I'm deep in the data so here's uh tell us what you just discovered so yeah so uh messini very close to a Record highest ever Point Stone a eurobasket women's game four an Italian player is 31. that was Rossi against Belgium back in 1980 so that's a long-standing record but zanderlacini is now on the brink of breaking well that's going way back even you won't commentating back then oh still in high school [Music] [Applause] so we'll have to wait that's a tally [Music] to play [Applause] what year was it uh 1980 I believe okay just double check it here goes Zippo [Applause] [Music] and rockberg nope Here Comes Verona now in Italy we're just taking a grip a firm like grip on this game firm like that's not what I'm looking for a vice light grip that's it firm like what's that just lost my costume just like the city passing it outside the pad and offensive foul uh [Applause] [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Music] and Israel turn it over they don't inbound the basketball [Applause] that's when you know it's not going well [Applause] [Music] intercepted by Rob air Sims pulls up and plus he might be trying to crank that in but it was in between [Applause] [Music] [Applause] holds the record for 31 against Belgium really trying to assert herself in the game she's had limited minutes to today you might wonder how coach Lardo is going to deal with that says this is on the drive at the end so they're gonna need a minor miracle Israel to call back this deficit over the final four quarters it is 67-45 Italy on top of Israel [Music] look at the three-point shooting most of that is Anthony yeah see how they're going to Improvement foreign quarter will they push on they've extended their lead by five they would have probably wanted to extend it further than this um points difference may come into play it may not but you want to push and if you've got a player that's going to do it look how zandalascini just a body language tells you exactly how she's feeling today how she's approaching the game today and yeah phenomenal performance one of the real highlight performances from all of the games we've seen here so far in Tel Aviv for me maybe maybe she wants to save it for Belgium in fact to get the game heard since it was against Belgium that Bianca did it 31 and we're trying to be poetic right I think it's a harder task to get 31 points against Belgium than Israel though potentially true definitely but if she plays like this you wouldn't put it you wouldn't put it against the odds that she could come out with that look at him she enjoys it as well and that's something you know from a neutral's perspective you love to see when great players are enjoying the game you know you're in for a treat or if you're a fan of Italy very true very true I'm sure there's some Italian fans tuning in that are certainly enjoying today more than they did yesterday I mean even Israeli fans have to be appreciating what she's been able to do today so scan of the barcode to get Courtside 1891 on your smartphone 4th quarter is ample singing with four five from three-point range she's in the zone right now she's on the bench [Applause] [Music] [Applause] kubai get to go foreign [Applause] [Music] [Applause] [Music] follows up to miss and is fouled on the putback attempt that could have been nasty Baron did exactly the right thing cover your head when you've got a big body about to land on you just try and protect your head but I like the way Israel continued to approach this game though and they were the same against Belgium they almost tried to ignore the scoreboard they just approach every play as if it's the opening tip and they're just getting into the game they're aggressive they're quite direct they're not phased or intimidated by the event or by this wonderful crowd that we've had in here again today again for me biggest crowd of uh the tournament here in Tel Aviv so far and they're certainly I think showing some great appreciation for this Israeli team because I think the fans also understand where in the process this team is and the team are going to need the fans support to continue on that Journey [Music] [Applause] sure [Applause] foreign [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Applause] [Music] do you uh yes sir right down the forehead like she's not gonna come back off and the ball goes out of bounds [Applause] nice here now yes having a chuckle that means you know everything is going well so [Music] Italy looking to close things out here still got eight and a half minutes to go [Applause] a win that will in all likelihood get them to at least the qualification for the quarterfinals of course they would be able to play Belgium tomorrow and if they were to win that game or in two days they'd have a chance to top the group yeah which would be a really interesting situation for Italy to be based on a Vibe coming out of their defeat yesterday the feeling coming out of their defeat yesterday they can I don't think it's something that you would completely rule out I think it would be unlikely for just what we've seen but it's a big ask you know the way Belgium have played in those opening two days it's a big answer this Italian team to be able to play at that level I think Italy when they're playing to their Optimum can absolutely compete with Belgium and push them but they'll have to play at that level for 40 minutes and I'm not sure this Italian team is quite there just yet they're not able to put that level of performance consistently across the game like Belgium no I mean the Czech Republic gave Belgium a decent game for about a half maybe a little bit into the third quarter then the wheels came off I think the one thing I'm looking forward to seeing is how the Belgium deal with hand on the scenic because I don't think Belgium have faced such an offensive threat yeah I was actually thinking about that as well and I think they're so good they're not even going to worry about any one player they're just going to play in a good defense and the drive and the basket is good nice play by Rubber what I'm talking about with Israel as much as the game is slipping away from them and still eight minutes to play they continue to battle they know what part of the puzzle these games are for their overall growth as a basketball team as a basketball nation and you know this women's team they've certainly impressed you know from a philosophy from a way they're approaching the game you cannot be anything but have admiration for yeah I think if you want to stress the positives for Israel it's the young players especially there's the path to his play Africa the garzons here is a shot from pan no good [Applause] [Music] Baron she's one of the veterans at 31 but as well as Cohen she's also a veteran at 30. I mean it's big I guess Biggs supposedly get better the older they become so maybe she still has a little bit of run in her yeah I think you're less Reliant obviously on your athleticism and you're more reliant on your IQ and the way you read the game so yeah I think uh age certainly is rodberg is 24. uh you've got gardening there's only 19. you've got leor garzon is 21. simple only 20. she looks like she's got a nice nice chance to be a good player so that's a nice core of young Talent yeah I think of all the players happy to come back out today it's pretty Africa one of them for Italy he knows that she could have played better yesterday in that second half yeah just nine points in that second half and like you say I think the expectation is for her to carry a little bit more of the lifting on the point side of things where Italy was struggling yesterday [Applause] Jordan [Applause] no that's right the big as soon as he can stroke it it's not the prettiest of thoughts from the stanio but let's be honest it's effective this isn't textbook that gets the job done if it ain't broke absolutely so time out ahead [Music] you can throw it then it's a back driven and we just have to fast forward three every hatch they kick our head turn over and another turnover and another and one time Luke she's wide open green and roll with green and buff you have a shot where are we going I don't understand our office kill us and they make Advantage time of the time of the time you get more confident four guards in you go down ready continue penetration Key Well Italy a team I think that can Envision itself being in that in this Phoebe Euro Basket in that second tier yeah if they can really get it going I think I think you've got Belgium and then everybody else starting to feel a bit like that I think other teams I think Belgium are unique in the fact that they've hit the ground running they've hit the tournament in Top Gear but a lot they've got their star players from Years Gone by as well it's true they have consistency and cohesion we you know we're talking about it in commentary they've had I think over six players that played uh at the World Cup so they know each other they're used to each other but I think we're going to see growth from other teams to that level oh nice job giving it to Cohen and getting the foul on the alley-oop what I like from Israel on that offense is how they spread the floor coach druka said look we're going to play Four out we're going to run a small ball line up we're just gonna have Cohen as our one legitimate front Court big and uh had the team reacted well they spread the floor and that made it hard for any kind of Health defense from Italy [Applause] [Music] [Applause] next we are now using this two two one zone it's a little bit of pressure but for me it's not about stealing the ball it looks like they're just trying to burn some of the Italian offensive clock [Applause] foreign [Applause] brought her into this team took a long time for her to make it into the senior national team passed the third into her 30s but the wait was worth it absolutely 16 points today but for Italy I said it earlier when zandal has seen he's on the bench where does the offense come from I think it's graphico is trying to say I'm probably that option that's where the points will come from when zandalasini's taking a seat again called for a push oh we're gonna see Santa lucini come back in the game maybe we will see Italian record being broken standing open up a fifth battle heading to the bench [Music] all right so maybe we're going to see the record here so the captain sits down good minutes from her today I think she's in this team for those spurts and also for the leadership that she brings in the locker room [Music] [Applause] [Applause] [Music] to quickly switch back to looking for Xander to see me they do straight away but surely she's cooled off by now she puts it up and fouled by Cohen get to the line chance to tie the record at the line well who would want to be a referee doesn't matter who you call the foul on yeah both directions right one of the reasons I never did my referee or table officials course I just I know how people are I just I have all the aberration in the world for the officials free throw line is we're about the only spot where xanthosini has not distinguished herself and it could ultimately cost her the uh the all-time Italy High the euromascular women she's the second highest scorer at the moment with 29 and she wants that lead takes the third he just one point shine out of equaling yeah on point shive equal in and just one bucket destroyed away from yeah taking the record oh look at Andre just not cut away get it to Verona and here she goes Andre is one of those unsung heroes for this Italian team she doesn't get any of the the praise or the headlines or any of that but without her the machine that is the Italian team just wouldn't operate anywhere near as efficiently hand tells Angela she's gonna have to wait I agree I mean I think Andre is Andre has really improved this year and I don't think they really run that much for her now she picks up whatever's left she just kind of she just says scratch yeah she really doesn't if you've got a player that's willing to accept that role and is able to optimize that then that's a really important piece so right at the end of the shot clock Sharon drucker's frustrated results not going his way team not playing as well as he had hoped I think realistically if he didn't probably never have admitted this but maybe a a loss under 20 points was something that he would have targeted that would have been a competitive loss there you go she gets those little opportunities all this Andre and takes advantage so you really had the big first quarter 30 points [Music] Garcon drives in a little rust I don't know if she's trying to get a foul [Music] and we saw this in the closing stages we've seen a replay of Andre getting Gore nice little slip from the screen just flashes to the basket rather than staying for the screen but we saw this with Israel they did kind of lose their way a little bit in the closing stages of the game against Belgium just hope they don't do it again here because for them this three minutes and 41 although maybe the win isn't there this is three minutes and 41 of playing against a very good team where you will learn a lot and your team will get better as long as you continue to reply and put that effort in for the for the remainder of this game if they just let it slip by it's a missed learning opportunity for them [Applause] so we're not going to see a deal of today it appears Xander lucini it's going to be it word has gotten down to the Israeli bench they're not gonna let her take it it's the first time I've seen Santa Lucina doubled which should have been happening almost the entire game so again you talk about the nucleus of Youth Garcon right at the middle the most tantalizing of all you know right now hopefully she's been playing in America so the availability is an issue for a lot in Israel they need games and that's the beauty of the qualifiers for the FIFA Women's Basketball World Cup for the FIFA Women's your basket you do get the continuity of playing but if you don't play you don't get the continuity as a player Italy just falling asleep there they thought it was two free throws instead of the arm one play smart Play In the End by Robert who just sneaked in the smallest player on the floor offensive rebound [Applause] [Music] 30 points rotberg trying to increase per tally which she does 11 points forward the chance Sims and you don't want to have sloppiness creep in your game either no you don't because that will quickly carry over and that's exactly why coach gallato's called the timeout because he knows that this complacency will cost them in their next game and the next game exactly against Belgium and that is not a game you can afford any complacency so ironically the last 255 could be more important to Italy than it could be to Israel yeah potentially Uno okay [Music] okay [Music] [Music] [Music] well we've been talking about her all day long and chichilia Los Angeles city has provided us with one of those great games that will always remember the feeble image your basket yeah the killer smiling the killer jumpers andalusini but you have to give her so much credit because she's done it in so many different ways this isn't just a barrage of Threes or a ton of points from the free throw line she has pulled Israel apart on every aspect of the game that by Far and Away my best highlight shot of the game but yeah she uh probably doesn't know it how close she is to that Italian record if she did and if her team did I think everything will be going through her hand right now Andre I mean the thing about Central Senior as well I'd like to remark on is she looks healthy other than that what looks like a a knock on her left shoulder you can see a little frustrated didn't get a touch she's got like uh it's like she's a floor bird or something on her left shoulder that looks like she's had some blood she has to look after that [Applause] crazy shot from Baron [Music] here she goes well the double comes she gets rid of it through Verona give it back she's open she takes it and oh she was ready to celebrate and she I think she knows I think somebody's told her ah I felt like that one was gonna go he's been hitting them all night give her any space if she's now the three but not this time Verona goes to the bench Santucci comes in but yeah all eyes on Xander lucini [Music] if she doesn't know she got very excited about the play that they ran with the potential of uh just getting the execution haven't seen much of her she's at the line and truka feels like it's one of those inclusions in the roster maybe with future tournaments in mind to give her some experience rather than leaning on her at this stage [Music] robber in the paints he's got to get out of it gotta put it up wasn't a bad attempt really as Handler senior was all over her [Applause] trapped he just walked into the made it even worse by going to the Baseline and that was a poor decision-making but I'm too cheap oh that's a good strong powerful move [Applause] through should probably be more excited about throughco making something on the Baseline [Applause] [Music] she knocks it away she gets it look at this she passes to Andre they was zipping around oh you know where to get hurt she falls down Italy get it back oh gosh Andre [Music] so I think to Chile is down to Cellini thinks she was tripped and that's what Lino Lardo is complaining about so frustrated he needs to be careful quickly get a technical foul he'll join uh his counterpart the other end of the floor in the referee's bad books under a minute to play doesn't look like Santa lucini will get this record now get another three I have to love how Galton has played this game 15 points now six from nine from the field [Applause] oh she gets another chance as he doesn't she does it she sets the record we think for the all-time record points scored for Italy in the FIFA Women's Euro basket she goes to 33 breaking Bianca Rossi's record that she's set back in 1980 of 31. a 43 year old record wow that's what you love even in these blowout games it's those moments that really make things special and that's something that's a legacy that she'll have for the rest of Eternity until someone else can step up and break it that's a tough one to Break by three points now she might break it herself couple of games time out [Music] she's also got five threes ome [Music] okay okay well this is it the shot that put her in the record books and how fitting is it what a hell of a shot that is that is a long way outside the three-point line for her to claim a piece of History other end of the floor though Israel just keep going you know I love the spirit that Israel have shown and that really is the embodiment of how coach druka is approaching this tournament also perhaps fitting though that Sam dulcini scored that over Garcon yeah yeah absolutely the two best players on the floor going Toe to Toe I still love that oh no need to a little bit get injured here at the end [Applause] Israel trying to but I'm not sure that wasn't even a play that was just an intentional foul that literally was them trying to send the Italy to the free throw line potentially see what Merit or benefit there is unless they're determined to have another office for me the game is done [Applause] they don't want Italy Round the Clock so zandal scene you might have to add to her tally Santucci and Andre we're gonna hurry oh that's it well a little uh rough at the end perhaps unfortunately but Lena Lardo shakes shares Ricker's hand really when it's 88-68 behind chinchillia Santa Cellini's 33 points record we fully expect I'm just going to double check it we think it's a record for Italy women and a female women's Eurovision I trust your mark I trust you and what a performance and that's a joy to witness those kind of performances they're rare so you have to treasure them when you see them a smile and a well earned Smile as well you can almost sense a relief though for this Italian team I'm sure they enter this game with a little bit of concern because of that loss on game day one but some of that pressure has been taken away and look how coach Lardo now is with her with his staff player who's giving her some respect there your shooting percentages Italy will be much happier with their offensive production in today's game winning pretty much every statistical category Israel they will take some benefits from it only 10 turnovers though but there's the big smiles andalusini 33 points do you think you just told her the news potentially or do you think he said hurry up you're in the press conference more than likely more than likely so uh very important win for Italy as they all but uh secure their spot in the qualification round or the uh for the quarterfinals now they will go for first place with a game against Belgium in a couple of days never say never you never know especially when you have a player like zandala zandolicini you can say unlikely all you want to but there's no such thing as the sure thing stocknote came in and gave him some good minutes in the second half and that's the one thing you know I was talking about it they look great when zandalascini was flying but what else would they offer and you have to say you have to be impressed with the likes of specific who stepped in hit some big shots really showed us why she's earned her call up into this roster at the eight she has um and yeah Italian fans Italian players they'll be a lot more comfortable a lot more confident now that they will make it out of the group thank you so interesting to hear what Lena Lardo has to say he pretty much guaranteed that they would play better today after yesterday and they they backed him up and they took control early but you know you were marked on it uh Israel doesn't give up they continue to fight and you know they've been the uh the big underdogs even at home here yeah and with basketball you know like any other sport it's clearly a sport of results but for Israel yeah the results are important but it's how they get to those results that's more important and you know they got blown out game day one but coastruka had a lot of positives to take from what they've done in game day one today it got slightly frustrated but I think when he looks back on some of this game tape he'll have a sense of satisfaction that on several key areas his team have taken big steps forward protecting possession you know they had 22 turnovers in game one they had I think it was seven here in game day two these are important steps that this Israeli team need to take to become more competitive and ultimately get them close to that win foreign the record-breaking shot taking the uh Italian record outstanding from zandolicini Italy approved the one-on-one Israel fall to 0-2 there are the standings in group b after game day two and it is uh calls for celebration Missouri Win It [Music] [Applause] [Applause] [Music] thank you [Music] time