Gregory Vargas: "I Feel The Best I Have Been In My Career" | Israel today

One of the unexpected moves of the summer was the signing of Gregory Vargas at Hapoel Haifa.

The veteran coordinator, who excelled in the previous five years in the uniform of city rival Maccabi Haifa in three different terms, will wear red this year and will try to restore his great ability.

"I feel good in this team. A new team, a new family but one goal - to win degrees. They give me a sense of family and make sure I feel comfortable," Vargas told Israel Today in his first interview since signing with Hapoel Haifa.

On Wednesday, Vargas and his teammates will play against Anisei in the European Cup qualifiers and will try to make further history with the developing club.

"We have a chance to do something special for the club and for us the players personally. It will be difficult, but we have a lot of motivation and if we succeed it will be a dream come true."

There are people in Israel who say that you are a little older and not the same player we remember from previous terms.

"It's funny, man. I feel very good physically and confident in my game. I tell everyone, I feel the best I've had in my career. I'm 35 and I know they talk about it around, but there's nothing in it. I feel focused and my basketball is good, So age doesn't matter at all. "

You are considered a symbol of Maccabi Haifa.

Did you have a hard time at first switching to playing for the city rival?

"I know about the rivalry in the city of Haifa, but no matter where I play - I give my whole heart. Now I play in red and full of motivation to give everything."

If Maccabi Haifa had played in the first league this year, would it have been more difficult for you to make that move?

"No, it was the same, because with all the love I feel for Maccabi Haifa, nothing changes the fact that I am part of another team. Even if Maccabi had played in the first league, I would still come with Hapoel Haifa and give everything on the field."

You wrote last year that Maccabi Haifa has not yet paid you all the money from the previous time.

What exactly happened there?

"There was confusion because in Corona the situation all over the world was financially difficult, and in the end we reached a solution and now there is no precipitation between us. We solved all the problems."

In the green uniform of Maccabi Haifa, Photo: Maor Elkelsi

"Israel - My Second Home"

Vargas is in fact returning for a fourth term in the country, and in the past it has been stated that "Israel is my second home."

He now explains the special connection.

"For me this country is like home. From the first moment all the people were nice to me and received me well. The city of Haifa gave me a lot of love from my first year here. Also in terms of league basketball in Israel at a high level, many good players come here, so I welcome every moment That I can play here. "

You are one of the best defensive players who played in Israel.

What is your tip for a young player who wants to excel on defense?

"The only thing I have to say about it - you have to be committed to the team. You have to give everything to the team on offense, but especially on defense. On offense you can do a lot of things, on defense you have to keep a player who is only yours. The secret is to play with heart and as I said with commitment - "If you come with the heart for defense you can do anything. On offense you play with ego, on defense not."

You have a lot of experience, what can the team built this year in Haifa achieve?

"We will have a long and complex year, but I feel we can have a special season. There is a good team and a special coaching staff and relative to the Israeli league we are good, so if we stay together we will achieve all goals. We will play against good teams, but if we are united we can achieve everything." .

In the middle of this season you will be 36, have you thought about how long you will want to continue playing?

"I do not know how to say a specific date. The only thing I know, is that it depends on my body. Age does not matter, every day I can give one hundred percent on the field I will play. I have to think about my body."