Security situation continues to take toll on Israeli sports
Israel was set to host a number of sporting events that have now been moved off-shore.
By ALLON SINAIIsrael's national soccer team at a 2014 World Cup qualifying match, March 26, 2013. (photo credit: REUTERS)
The Israel Basketball Association was notified by FIBA on Tuesday that the national team will not be able to host its first EuroBasket qualifier against Montenegro in Tel Aviv due to the ongoing rocket fire.Israel was scheduled to host Montenegro on August 10 in the first of six qualifiers for a place in EuroBasket 2015. However, due to the security situation, it was told that it will have to play the game abroad, with Greece a possible venue for the encounter.FIBA also told the IBA that should the situation not improve by August 4, the home games against the Netherlands (August 24) and Bulgaria (August 27) will be moved abroad.Following the first qualifier, Israel visits the Netherlands (Aug 13), Bulgaria (Aug 17) and Montenegro (Aug 20). The seven group winners, as well as the six-best second-place finishers, will advance directly to the tournament in Ukraine.After UEFA forced Israeli soccer sides to host their matches in European competition abroad, the Israel Football Association announced on Tuesday that the first round of Toto Cup matches scheduled for this coming weekend has been postponed by a week.Maccabi Tel Aviv will host next Tuesday’s Champions League third qualifying round second leg against NK Maribor in Larnaca, Cyprus, while Ironi Kiryat Shmona will play its home match against Dinamo Moscow in the Europa League third qualifying round in Nicosia, Cyprus next Thursday.The Israel Tennis Association announced on Tuesday that it is currently not considering moving the Davis Cup World Group playoff tie against Argentina scheduled to be played at Nokia Arena in Tel Aviv over the weekend of September 12-14.The Argentina Tennis Association approached the International Tennis Federation last week asking for the tie to be moved. However, the ITA said on Tuesday that it has no intention of doing so until a final decision will be made on the matter on August 11.
