Israel's Halperin keeps fingers crossed he'll play at FIBA EuroBasket 2017

VALENCIA (FIBA EuroBasket 2017) - Having missed the previous edition, Yotam Helperin will be doing everything within his abilities to assure he will be on hand at home to play in FIBA EuroBasket 2017.

A 76-73 come-from-behind triumph over Russia set the Israelis up for a good run in Montpellier where they also defeated Finland and Poland.

Only a last-second defeat to Bosnia and Herzegovina denied them four victories. Israeli's EuroBasket campaign came to a shuddering halt in the Round of 16, however, with Italy thumping Erez Edelstein's side, 82-52. The mojo and rhythm that was so evident in the side in Montpellier, at least in the first four games, was nowhere to be found in Lille.

Out of sorts and trailing 40-30 at half-time, Israel collapsed in the third quarter with the Italians pouring in 28 points.

It didn't help that Israel were missing the leadership and talent of Yotam Halperin, a veteran of six EuroBaskets dating back to 2003 in Sweden. The shooting guard had to sit out of the tournament with a slipped disc in his back.

Halperin's last EuroBasket campaign with Israel was in 2013

Depth was clearly an issue for an Israeli side that had to rely on Omri Casspi and Lior Eliyahu to play huge minutes in the first four contests. They played so many that Edelstein rested both against France in the fifth game.

Against the Italians, neither was close to being at his best.

Halperin, 33, wants to be in the Israel side when it hosts FIBA EuroBasket 2017 Group B in Tel Aviv.

"Mentally I'm ready but physically, I need to be ready, too," Halperin said to FIBA.com after playing for Hapoel Jerusalem at Valencia Basket on Tuesday night. "I have a few small injuries but definitely, EuroBasket will be in Israel and I want to be a part of it."

Halperin is one of the finest talents ever in Israel. He captured Euroleague crowns with Maccabi Tel Aviv in 2004 and 2005 and was selected in the 2006 NBA Draft by the old Seattle Supersonics.

He remained in Europe, though, and played for Union Olimpia, Maccabi again, Olympiacos, Spartak Saint Petersburg and Bayern Munich before joining Hapoel in 2013.

"Everyone is excited in Israel about being able to host EuroBasket," he said. "I was for four or five years the captain of the national team and if I have the opportunity to come back and do it again, I'll do it."

Halperin still regrets that he couldn't be a part of the last EuroBasket team. He says it was disappointing seeing a terrific campaign spoiled by the heavy defeat to Italy.

"I think the group for them was great," he said. "They finished second behind France in the group. It was a great result. But when you reach the Round of 16 or the Quarter-Finals or Semi-Finals, it's hard to win if you make mistakes.

"They (Israel) played a pretty bad game against Italy. But the Italians had a great team. It was a hard draw."

Halperin had success against Italy at FIBA EuroBasket 2011. He played 35 minutes and had 10 points, 5 assists and 3 rebounds in that Israeli win. Many of the Italian players in that Azzurri side were on the roster in 2015.

Halperin had shone in win over Italy at FIBA EuroBasket 2011

Though Israel have not reached the podium at a EuroBasket since 1979, when the legendary Mickey Berkowitz averaged more than 22 points and led the team to a runners-up finish against the Soviet Union, the current team is not one to be taken lightly and especially in Tel Aviv.

"We have a lot of experience in this team if everyone shows up," Halperin said, "at least five or six players in the Euroleague, NBA, Eurocup, and probably we'll have a few youngsters.

"When you have five or six games in such a short period, you need to have all 12 players focused. Every player is important and has to be ready. I believe they're going to choose the best ones."

"It's (EuroBasket 2017) a big opportunity for us to play in front of our own fans and I know it's going to be a full arena, too. It's always fun to play at home." - Halperin

Halperin showed against Valencia Basket that he still has much to offer both with his scoring and defense but admits that age is starting to catch up with him.

"I'm not like 22 years old anymore," he said. "I'm trying to do my best. It's a different situation everywhere. Last year was different with this team, last year was different with the national team. This year is different. I try to do my best."

Halperin says this is going to be a hugely important summer for basketball in Israel. When a national side is at home, it has the luxury of getting an emotional lift from the crowd.

"It's very crucial," Halperin said of the chance to host EuroBasket games. "I think everybody is very excited. It's a big opportunity for us to play in front of our own fans and I know it's going to be a full arena, too. It's always fun to play at home."

FIBA