Israel claims final spot in World Baseball Classic

They were dancing horahs in the clubhouse Sunday night.

Israel claimed the 2017 World Baseball Classic's final spot with a decisive 9-1 victory over Great Britain on Sunday at Brooklyn's MCU Park, in front of a raucous "home" crowd dominated by members of New York's large Jewish community.

(Courtesy: MLB.com)

Having won its qualifying group, the country now heads to the main tournament for the first time in its history, and will face South Korea, Chinese Taipei, and the Netherlands in Pool B at Seoul's Gocheok Sky Dome.

Five pitchers - including former St. Louis Cardinals All-Star Jason Marquis, who tossed four perfect innings - combined to throw a four-hitter, while ex-Boston Red Sox catcher Ryan Lavarnway blasted the game-winning two-run homer in the fifth inning. Cody Decker and Blake Gailen also homered in the win.

Israel previously competed in the WBC qualifying tournament in 2012 under the guidance of current Detroit Tigers skipper Brad Ausmus, but lost that year's final to Spain in extra innings.

"The heightened awareness that this win brings, and just this whole competition, just the whole concept of the WBC, can only help baseball in Israel," manager Jerry Weinstein told reporters. "Last time the Israel team competed in 2012 there was a 40 percent increase in participation."

Thanks to the WBC's eligibility rules - a player only has to be eligible for citizenship of the country they represent - it's possible that several prominent Jewish-American major leaguers, including the likes of Ian Kinsler, Ryan Braun, and Alex Bregman, could be added to Israel's roster for the main tournament, which begins March 7, 2017.