The Second Annual Friendship Games wrapped up on Thursday, June 7 2007 with a special closing ceremony featuring Israeli President Shimon Peres. Prior to the ceremony, Canada captured the men’s title by defeating Serbia 45-40, while the Polish women defeated China 61-39 en route to the title. The week proved to be much more than just basketball however as students lived, dined and traveled together throughout the week. Students visited Jerusalem, the Dead Sea and Nazareth as part of the weeklong festivities. Many of the student athletes also had the opportunity to spend time with NBA Legend Spencer Haywood, Atlanta Hawks assistant coach Herb Brown, former Maccabi Tel Aviv legend LaVon Mercer and St. Edward’s University coach Ryan Marks. For more information on happenings at this year’s event visit our blog.

What:
The Second Annual Friendship Games offered college students from 17 different countries the opportunity to compete in a round-robin style basketball tournament with each team playing five games each. Students toured Jerusalem, The Dead Sea, Nazareth, Sea of Galilee, Tiberias and Tel Aviv-Jaffa. The event kicked off this year on June 1-2 with a coaching clinic led by Atlanta Hawks assistant coach Herb Brown and NBA Legend Spencer Haywood.

Where:
The Second Annual Friendship Games were held at Tel-Aviv University, Ramat Aviv, Tel-Aviv 69978
Tel: 97236408440 or 97236408953
Fax: 97236409674
Web: www.tau.ac.il
          www.sports-center.co.il

Who:
Thirty college teams from 17 different countries competed in the 2007 Friendship Games including Russia, China, Serbia, Jordan, Estonia, Ireland, Greece, Turkey, Palestine, Ukraine, Cyprus, Slovenia and Israel.

Why:
The program was conceived in 2006 by Atlanta Hawks co-owner Ed Peskowitz after meeting with Arie Rosenzweig, athletic director of Tel-Aviv University and Kowalsky Ilan, athletic director at the Interdisciplinary Center of Herzliga. All felt the game of basketball could begin to unify countries on a grassroots level.