Hapoel Holon will rise tonight to one of the greatest and most exciting moments in its history when it meets Spanish Tenerife in the Champions League semi-finals, and will try to take an important step towards winning a historic European title.
There are quite a few factors behind the Holon success.
We decided to focus on four pairs that made the difference in the wonderful European journey that can end in an unforgettable win.
The leaders - Guy Panini and Chris Johnson
, the two veteran players on the Holon squad, two who have already seen it all during their careers, lead the team in purple on the field and in the locker room, each in his own way.
Pearls vocal, authoritative and appreciated by the actors as well as by the professional team.
Johnson is the ultimate Leader by example.
He is a bit quiet and introverted, but is a perfect role model for the level of professionalism and dedication to the profession and the team in every training and every game.
"The experience in our team has been significant this season, especially in the less good moments," says Pnini.
"He helped us leave behind losses or deal with the change of coaches. The discourse on the team is mature and full of experience, and everyone knows what needs to be done and talks among themselves what it takes to fix things and get better. The fact that we have experienced players with strong character helped us get there."
Chris Johnson, Photo: Alan Schieber
The Engines - Tire's Maggie and Joe Ragland When
Maggie signed in Holon everyone around thought there might be an explosion between him and Ragland, and maybe the two would step on each other.
Precisely in the professional team less feared.
The idea behind the move was to bring in another player who could produce high-level points and thus relieve the load on Ragland and produce more offensive firepower.
They were right.
Ragland and Maggie are good friends, and you can feel it on the pitch.
They compliment each other, and professionally, the combination between them is probably the main reason for Holon to reach the Final Four.
"Together we are a strong back line," Maggie explains.
"When I arrived in the middle of the season I took some pressure off Joe. We've known each other for many years, and sometimes argue, but it's like normal brothers arguing sometimes. We know where to stand on the pitch and where each of us likes to get the ball. I believe it's very important for the team ".
The team on the lines - Guy Goodes and Amit Sharaf
When Goodes was appointed the team's coach, he went straight into the cauldron of the play-in series against Besiktas and the quarterfinals of the cup against Hapoel Haifa.
What helped him absorb quickly and win the games without which this article would never have come about, was the character and the fact that he came without ego and no desire to make quick revolutions, and of course the great help from his assistant Amit Sharaf.
The esteemed assistant coach has been working at the club for several years, responsible for the pre-match video and working with the players themselves.
Goodes gives him extended powers and has already expressed that he has played a large part in the success.
Goods and resin.
Winning team, Photo: Liran Moldoven
"When I arrived in the middle of the season I really could not have thought we would reach the Final Four at the end of the season," Goodes honestly admits.
"At first we had to pick up the team, reassure the players and put in confidence that we could win games. No one even gave us a chance to finish first at home in the top 16, but we were surprised. We worked hard as a team, and with the players we took it game after game and did it. "Here in Bilbao, too, we are not favorites, but I have experience in the Final Purim, and I know the underdog can do it."
The management team - Roi Deborah and Nir Oron
usually focus on the players and coaches, and less on the people behind the scenes.
However, when a club progresses gradually and each season takes another step, it seems that something is done correctly, and here the credit goes to CEO Roi Deborah and team manager Nir Oron, who usually manage the organization well and provide players with all the ideal conditions for success.
As someone who has traveled with the team to Spain and is close to it in Bilbao, I can attest to that in person.
"It is impossible to describe how enormous our arrival in the Final Four is," says Deborah.
"This is not a momentary success but a result of a road. In the first years in Europe we were beaten and there were quite a few disappointments, but we progressed, learned and improved every season. "Wider, plan ahead and look for players we could not think of until now because of their price, and also become a winning brand that people will want to connect with. You know what, I can not really tell you what will happen if we win, we've never been there."
Were we wrong?
Fixed!
If you found an error in the article, we'll be happy for you to share it with us