Much has been written about Israel's innovative exploits in science, technology, and defense. Indeed, its reputation as a global leader in these fields precedes it. When it comes to sports, on the other hand, Israel's achievements are a little less impressive, too put it mildly. Regardless, that doesn't mean our tiny "Start-Up Nation" hasn't had memorable and even notable moments on the judo mats, racing tracks, and basketball courts this past decade.
However, our choice for the top sports moment of the past decade took place in another arena entirely and, if the trend continues, will open the door to even more successes in the next decade – perhaps in places still off-limits to Israeli athletes. Until then, here's hoping the next decade kicks off on a high note – at the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo – where Israel is preparing to send its largest-ever delegation.
5: David slays Goliath for improbable 2013-2014 EuroLeague title
Number five on the list of the decade's most important sporting achievements is also the only one involving a team or individual not representing the blue and white flag.
In 2013-2014, a nondescript Maccabi Tel Aviv limped into the EuroLeague basketball tournament as more of an afterthought. Even the most optimistic pundits simply hoped the team would play respectably before being shown the door.
Yet, in one of the most remarkable underdog runs in modern basketball history, Maccabi unleashed a gritty spirit to overcome a string of powerful opponents and hoist the coveted trophy.
Led by coach David Blatt, captain Guy Pnini and a group of foreign imports – including future NBA stud Joe Ingles – Maccabi used two great comebacks – in Game 1 of the playoffs against EA7 Emporio Armani Milan and in the semifinals against CSKA Moscow – to gain the required momentum to beat mighty Real Madrid in the championship game.
In the first game, Maccabi stunned the hosts from Milano by turning a 7-point deficit with 30 seconds remaining on the clock into a 101-99 overtime victory.
In the semifinals, Maccabi came from behind to defeat heavily favored CSKA Moscow with a last-second, game-winning lay-up by Tyrese Rice.
On May 18, 2014, Maccabi won its sixth EuroLeague championship, defeating Real Madrid in overtime by a score of 98–86.
Blatt said after the historic title game: "We tried to bring in a lot of character guys to our team and were successful. When you have guys like Devin Smith, Ricky Hickman, Yogev Ohayon, and Guy Pnini, and when you have experienced guys like David Blu, Joe Ingles, and Sofo (Greek national Sofoklis Schortsanitis) and incorporate new guys like Rice and [Alex] Tyus, then you have a really good chance to be successful from the inside, from the locker room. It all starts there – in the locker room."
And while it might seem ho-hum for Maccabi to win a title – the team has won 6 EuroLeague championships (including the 2001 FIBA SuproLeague), one Adriatic League championship, 52 Israeli League championships, 44 Israeli State Cup titles, and 7 Israeli League Cup titles – the sheer magnitude of its inexplicable David vs. Goliath-run in 2014 more than justifies its spot on this list.
4: Youth movement: Future of Israeli basketball continues to shine bright in 2019
The future of Israeli basketball, unlike its future on the soccer pitch, shined brightly in 2019.
This past July, for the second year running, the Israeli junior basketball team won the International Basketball Federation's Under-20 European Championship, defeating an undefeated Spanish squad 92-84.
The team's best player, NBA draft prospect Deni Avdija, scored 23 points and picked up the Most Valuable Player award.
The youth squad has now been in the finals for three consecutive years, winning its first championship in 2018, in Germany. In 2017, the team lost to Greece.
The Israeli team secured its spot in this year's championship with its 81-70 victory over France on Saturday.
Avdija is a rising star of Israeli basketball and in 2017 was signed by Maccabi Tel Aviv.
3: Israeli distance runner Lonah Chemtai-Salpeter obliterated records in 2019.
"I'm happy that I broke the European record, and I'm heading in the right direction," Lonah Chemtai-Salpeter said with an eye to the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, where, with a bit of luck, she could headline the largest Israeli delegation ever. Chemtai-Salpeter's result of 30:04 also became a new Israeli women's record for the distance, as well as a course record for the Tilburg Ten Miles race.
In September, she clocked a time of 30:04 in the Tilburg Ten Miles race in the Dutch city of Tilburg, cutting a jaw-dropping 17 seconds off the European women's record for the 10K, set by legendary runner Paula Radcliffe in 2003.
2: Batter up: National Baseball team punches historic ticket to Tokyo
Israel's national baseball team made history and captured the country's attention in September by securing its spot in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
It will be the first time an Israeli team has taken part in the Olympics Baseball tournament, and in fact, only the second time that Israel takes part in a team sport at the Olympics since the national soccer team competed in the Montreal Olympics in 1976.
On its way to the historic milestone, Israel won 5 out of 6 games in the qualifying tournament, becoming the only country so far that has secured a spot in the baseball event.
Only five other national baseball teams will get to compete for a medal in the summer games.
The Israeli baseball squad comprises mostly American Jews who already play in leagues in the United States.
Several of the players and coaches have seen action in the major leagues, while a smaller handful are native Israelis, like Tel Aviv-born pitcher Shlomo Lipetz and Ramat Gan-born catcher Tal Erel.
Former major leaguers include Danny Valencia, an infielder with seven MLB clubs over eight years, and utility man Ty Kelly, who played for the Mets and Phillies between 2016 and 2018.
1: Old walls come down as new horizons open to Israeli athletes
Ironically, Israel's greatest sporting achievement this decade was scored in the diplomatic arena, as long-standing barriers began to crumble across the Arab world, opening the door to Israeli delegations for the first time ever. The result of tireless diplomatic efforts, public campaigns and shifting regional interests, this new horizon for Israeli competitors cannot be understated as the Jewish state carries its struggle for regional acceptance into the next decade.
On Oct. 28, 2018, the Israeli national anthem played for the first time in an Arab country after Israeli judoka Sagi Muki won gold in the Abu Dhabi Grand Slam in the United Arab Emirates.
"We made history," Culture and Sport Minister Miri Regev tweeted afterward.
In November, the Hatikvah was played again in Abu Dhabi after Alon Leviev, 17, was presented the gold medal at the Ju-Jitsu World Championship.
Also in November, a delegation of Israeli teens took second place at the unofficial "Robotics Olympics" in Dubai.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who met with the teens upon their return home, hailed their achievement and said their participation was "indicative of what is above water" in Israel's relations with Gulf states.
In August of 2018, the Tunisian Chess Federation agreed to allow 7-year-old Israeli girl Liel Levitan to take part in the World School Individual Chess Championships in Sousse.
In January, meanwhile, the International Paralympic Committee stripped Malaysia of the right to host the 2019 world para-swimming championships after the country banned Israeli athletes from participating.
Sports, as we know, is uniquely capable of connecting people from different and sometimes hostile backgrounds. As such, our hope for the coming decade is that more doors across the Arab world burst open for Israeli competitors, while our doors remain fully open in return.
