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"Football is a perfect game for Israelis" | Israel today

2021-11-22T10:46:54.008Z


During his military service, Omar Kazernovzky tore the meniscus and the cruciate ligament in his knee, but that did not stop him from becoming the first Israeli to receive a contract in the GFL1 - Germany's senior league. And the organization. Just come and fall in love "


This past summer, more Israelis were interested in baseball than ever before.

The reason: a respectable performance by the Israeli team at the Olympic Games in Tokyo.

It was enough to get into the major news outlets, even though almost all the players were purely Jewish-American, and even though there has been no league of the industry in the country for years.

"We are very supportive of baseball," Omar Kazernovsky, who returned from a historic season in Germany's senior football league, told Israel Today. "Excellent and they deserve all the respect and attention she has received."

but?

"Hah, there is no mourning. What there is is a very great desire to expose Israeli football to as many people here as possible. Because there is a league here that develops from year to year, and because it is a perfect sport for Israelis."

Omar Kazernovsky.

Returns from a historic season in Germany's senior football league, Photo: Chris Haas

Indeed, Kazernovsky is a young man, discharged from the IDF for only about a year, but you should pay attention to what he says. Managed to do what no one had done before - get a contract in the GFL1, the senior football league in Germany, which is considered the best in Europe.

Contract contract, with out-of-pocket fees?

"Yes, yes. The first German league is semi-professional, there are three training sessions a week, video conferences, and of course the games. There are players here who get a certain salary, and I was one of them. To the best of my knowledge, the first Israeli to ever get drunk for a football game. wrong".

Omar Kazernovsky (No. 30) in action, Photo: Chris Haas

So why is football a perfect sport for Israelis?

"Because he gives a chance to put out a lot, really a lot of aggression. And it's no secret that there are a lot of them here. But in a controlled, organized, and relatively safe way. And that he combines that with a very, very collective atmosphere. Everyone owes everyone to succeed in this industry."

Omar Kazernovsky.

In the German top league, Photo: Danny Maron

Omar Kazernovsky.

Overcame the injury,

Does it make people feel part of something bigger than them?

"Exactly. No one can win football alone. You are part of a team that is all interdependent. It is also somewhat reminiscent of the military experience of many Israelis, there is no room for toxic people. Football in Israel has a place for everyone - no prior knowledge is needed. "They will teach you, help with equipment. Just come - and fall in love."

"You must be on the move, part of the action"

And this is what happened to Omar when he was only 13, and after playing simulated football with friends in a park in Givat Shmuel ("there it was really just hitting with a ball that was an excuse, because no one really knew the rules") - joined Raanana's youth team, and can not Had to stop.

Omar Kazernovzky.

"Allow as many people as possible to be exposed to the industry,"

"In football they could not just poke me in the goal, like in football for example. Here you have to be on the move, part of the action," he says.

Later he also played for the youth of Kiryat Ono, and at the age of 17 he was the youngest in the training of the Israeli team.

But military service interrupted his young career.

"It does not have to be this way, but after I was injured in training I got to a place where my commanders gave me afternoons to continue training and games. With more awareness of the league, the industry and what it contributes to people, I believe it will be more common for young footballers to convince their commanders. "Allow them to go out and continue this career. Even if it's for one training session and a game a week."

And after the army, what awaits such guys?

"A lot. The league is constantly advancing - among other things at the level of the game and the organization. There are many players who can also try to go out for a year in Europe to develop, gain experiences and stories for grandchildren.

"In one year at Frankfurt Universe I got a lot of headaches about level and organization, I absorbed and learned a lot. I made a lot of connections. Now I want to help and bring a lot of that knowledge here. Even helping young Israelis go out for one such season in Europe. When I found myself guarding in some game Ryan Ryan, who had previously signed with the Green Bay Packers and even partnered there in pre-season games, and I see I run with him and drop a delivery that was supposed to reach him, he falls and I stand still - I suddenly realized how much progress I could make. When only the conditions are better. "

So why is football actually a perfect sport for Israelis ?, Photo: Chris Haas

And what will help bring such conditions to Israeli football?

"More exposure, that's first of all. Talking to you is of course part of it. Now, on vacation, it's just the time to search Facebook and Google for AFI and IFL, connect with teams and get to the sorting and training days. Football is a game that once more people knew Which is much more than just beatings ("In a team in Germany we had a playbook with more than 100 exercises), the game will start to spread on its own and teams will start to get up.

Because as I said, this is a perfect game for Israelis. "

Source: israelhayom

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