Israel won new friends after a seventh place finish at the FIL World Lacrosse Championships.

Competing in their first major tournament, the men’s lacrosse team left America with their heads held high.

A creditable showing saw them top their pool by sweeping aside Sweden, Slovakia and Korea.

Ari Sussman was the star man as Israel marched on to the knockout stages with wins over Ireland and Germany.

Israel’s run ended in the quarter-finals against Australia who ran out 9-8 victors. A titanic tussle against England followed but Israel went down despite a spirited fight-back as they failed to win an automatic spot in the Elite Blue pool for the 2018 event.

Israel Lacrosse executive director Scott Neiss said: "We knew we had a talented squad, but I don’t think anybody expected us to perform at the level we have."