EuroCup Women

One of the benefits of playing in competitions like the EuroCup Women is the travelling.

Hatis Yerevan's players were beaming upon their return from Israel, where they recently took on Elitzur Ramla.

Hatis fell 79-61, but there were only smiles and no frowns a couple of days later.

The journey to the Holy Land was memorable for other reasons.

The players and coaches visited different sites, and also went to the Armenian Patriarchate of Jerusalem where they were welcomed by loud chants of "Hatis, Hatis" and applause by the student body.

The team even held a basketball practice for the students.

"This was truly a memorable experience," Hatis guard Christina Kepenekian said in the Armenian Reporter.

"I am thankful for the warm reception we received by the Armenian students.

"Visiting St. James Cathedral and Holy Sepulcher were very inspirational."

Souren Zohrabyan, who is the vice chairman of the Basketball Federation of Armenia and a Hatis representative, summed up the trip.

"We were touched by the outpouring of support we received from the Armenian students and community at the game," Zohrabyan said.

"We are grateful to Fr. Norayr for having organized our team's visit to the Holy Places.

"We return to Armenia with a greater understanding of the rich history of the Armenians in Jerusalem."

Hatis will host Dynamo Moscow in the first leg of their Sixteenth-Finals tie in the EuroCup Women on December 16.