Michael Brisker was a key part of winning the reserve team at the European Championships, but did not find his place this season at Hapoel Tel Aviv: "There was great pressure" • Moving to Maccabi Haifa brought him optimism: "

• Brisker. "There was a bad situation and I'm just glad I moved to Haifa"

  Photo:

  Maor Alexasci

There are quite a few instances where a player did not succeed in a particular team and after moving on to another began to flourish and show his abilities, however, there are few instances where there was a sharp, rapid and drastic change like the one we saw in Michael Brisker last month.

A few weeks ago, he was still sitting at the end of Hapoel Tel Aviv's bench and few opportunities, but now it seems like a distant memory, as if he was a few months ago. , And were also a major part of winning the European Championship reserve team until the age of 20 in the summer of 2018 (see full table figures).

"I am very happy that the management of Maccabi Haifa and the coach here believed in me and gave me the opportunity to come," he tells Israel Today in the first interview since moving to the green uniform. "The players are here without ego and help me integrate."

What is it like to play alongside a player like Gregory Vargas?

"He's a different person than anything I've ever known. He's 33 and has a mentality like 18. He comes first in the gym and that gives me as a young player motivation to keep working and getting better. He runs our team on the field and out of the field. His personal, only team success. Just an experience and role model. "

We see that there are some young Israelis blooming this year in Maccabi Haifa. How much do you think it has to do with your coach, Daniel Savannah?

"He trusts the players he brings back to him, and that's exactly what happens. We bring him back on the field for the trust he gives us. He is not afraid to take risks - and it pays him. He gives us exceptional confidence. He is a professional at high levels, such Going into all the details, until I feel that if we just apply his instructions - we'll get far this season. "

Brisker in the new uniform. "Can get far this season" // Photo: Maor Alexa

"I wanted to take the challenge"

Last summer, 21-year-old Brisker (1.85m) signed for three seasons at Hapoel Tel Aviv, although he faced several other offers, including staying at Maccabi Ra'anana from the national team.
"I do not regret the decision I made," he says decisively. "It may have been easier for me to go to a club that is bigger than I did, but I wanted to take that challenge on me. The period there helped me a lot in the acclimation in the Premier League. At a high level, and now things connect with me. "

Bethlehemi in Hapoel Tel Aviv uniforms "Great pressure" // Photo: Alan Shiber

What didn't work there, personally and in the group?

"I really like Ariel Bethlehemi, and I know he trusts me and trusts me, but there was a lot of pressure. At first he brought in players, and when they didn't succeed it hit the team. It could happen to any coach. .

And how do you explain the big difference to you in such a short period of time?

"I've always worked hard, even in Hapoel, I waited every game for my opportunity, and I just didn't get it. There was a bad situation and I'm just glad I moved to Haifa. .

Brisker is a talented offensive player, and shooting skills like his are not seen by many Israelis, but there are criticisms of the defensive game. The actor himself disagrees. "I can keep any player, and if you check - you'll see that I don't score much. I like to do defense, and there are defensive moves that drive me more than offensive moves. I just need to get better physically and I'll be fine." Tonight (19:45) he and Maccabi Haifa will be playing outside against Gilboa / Galil.