There is something magical about Israel's young team.
It consists of players from European teams such as Lial Abda, Ido Shahar, Doron Leidner and Usher David, who play alongside stars in the Premier League such as Daniel Peretz, Oskar Gloch and Eden Kartsev, but almost all of them maintain modesty and support each other, and if they continue on this path, you will find out - Maybe they will also surprise Europe in Euro 2023.
In the last 24 hours, the spotlight was directed towards the goalkeeper Daniel Peretz, after his phenomenal display in the penalty kicks against Ireland, but one of the other stars in Israel's young team is undoubtedly Doron Leidner, the defender of Olympiakos, who closed a dream week in the uniform of the senior and young team.
"The feeling after the game with Ireland was amazing," says Leidner in an interview with Israel Hayom, adding: "I didn't expect it to be so much fun going to the Euros. These are feelings I've never had in my life. It's fun that I have the privilege of playing for both the senior team and the junior team , and meet two such important tasks within three days."
Leidner against Ireland, photo: Alan Shiver
Can we say that Israeli football is at its best in recent years?
"I don't know exactly what the reason is, but something good is happening in Israeli football. We play against high-quality teams, and we look at them in the white of the eyes. In the campaign of the junior team, we saw it in the games against Poland and Germany, and in the senior team against Albania and Iceland.
"We can beat any team. Ireland is not a weak team, and yet - they didn't touch the ball, and we eliminated them completely. It just shows how much we are improving."
"We are constantly improving"
Is the senior team also able to qualify for the Euros?
"I believe that the senior team will make it to the Euros. I don't know if it will happen now, but I'm sure it will happen in the future. We're constantly getting closer there, whether it's by improving our abilities, winning games or moving up the ranks, and I believe it will happen."
What do you think of Daniel Peretz's performance in the Penalties?
"Amazing, amazing. It's fun to know that we have such an amazing goalkeeper, who can be trusted in situations like this. I was very stressed during the penalties. I was hoping we would finish the game even before that, but who remembers that now."
Do you see Peretz going to Europe soon?
"I wish everyone in this team to reach Europe. The more Israeli players that go out and play abroad - it will give us a better place abroad, and I believe that Daniel will also do that."
Daniel Peretz
"Amazing goalkeeper", photo: Alan Shiver
Let's talk about you personally, you've made a crazy leap in the last two years.
"I believed in myself the whole way. I know I'll be a good player at Olympiakos. To say I'm surprised by the progress I've made - I'm not surprised at all, I knew I was suitable for these levels, and I just hope to continue this trend."
Aren't you afraid of the competition for the lineup against Marcelo?
"Marcelo has become a good friend of mine. I believe we will know how to share the minutes between us, and I am certainly not afraid. I have not played until now because I had a problem with the passport, which I should receive in the next two weeks, and then I will be able to play as usual.
"I'm not rushing anywhere, I'm still a young player, and I believe that my time will come there as well. I'm enjoying everything at Olympiakos, and I just want to keep my good form and start playing in Greece."
Marcelo.
New member, photo: EPA
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