EuroBasket 2011

Seasoned Israeli international Raviv Limonad has one piece of advice for younger players - work hard and it will pay off

By Jeff Taylor 

Raviv Limonad understands very well how difficult it can be to reach a EuroBasket.

A 26-year-old shooting guard who moved to Menorca last summer from Maccabi Tel Aviv, Limonad was in the squad that survived Division A, Group A, in 2010.

They came in second to Montenegro and ahead of Italy, Latvia and Finland.

One thing he has no doubts about is the job Arik Shivek did as coach.

In his first spell as the national team boss, Shivek pulled all the right strings to get Israel into that vital second place that earned them a berth in the EuroBasket.

"He's very positive," Limonad said to Basketball World News.

"He's a different coach to Zvika.

"The character is different, but both are very good coaches.

"But I think Arik is a very good coach for the national team because he knows how to encourage us and to get us behind him and to do what he wants.

"He did a very good job last summer."

After the tough summer, Limonad and his teammates discovered they would be playing in an expanded field in Lithuania with FIBA Europe increasing the number of teams to 24.

The decision opened the door for teams like Georgia to grace the EuroBasket stage for the first time in history.

It also meant that Italy and Latvia would play, and Finland also still have a chance to advance via the Additional Qualifying Tournament.

"I think it's a bad move because we worked so hard to get there," Limonad said, but then smiled and added: "but it's okay, more teams and more fun."

Israel do have a lot of experience in the team and should have a chance to go deep into the tournament.

They will find out soon when the draw for the EuroBasket is held.

"I'm looking forward to the next EuroBasket in Lithuania," said Limonad, who hails from Netanya.

"It's a big thing for Israel. I really hope to be in the team and play."

If anything, Limonad and Israel bolstered their confidence with their strong performance last summer.

"We had a really tough group and it was difficult, but we're a really good team and we're talented," he said.

"We believed in ourselves and did it. That's very important."

Does Limonad have any advice for those youngsters who are trying to earn a place in the national squad?

"It's difficult to make it, but I've been in the national team for the last seven years," he said.

"You have to work out a lot and the hard work pays off."