Israel's youth team has made a historic achievement and advanced to the semi-finals of the European Championship, where it will meet strong France tonight (21:00).
When they are in line with France, England and Italy, the trainees of coach Ofir Haim and his assistant Itai Mordechai, there is no intention to stop here and for them the dream can continue to the end.
"It's an amazing feeling, even though we are not digesting it yet," Mordechai admitted in a call from Slovakia, where the championship is being held. France and that's it, we're part of them.
"There is a very good atmosphere within the team. We made a lot of trips and we were a lot together so we created an amazing connection between the players, the team and there is a blind understanding between them all."
What really makes the difference in you, beyond the great talents?
"Beyond the professional interest, and there are the most professional people here, what characterizes this is the move. This is Ophir's meeting before the game against England. Seeing someone who is upset or difficult, including the players, all honestly, wholeheartedly, try to help and solve the problem.
"Every morning the players are supposed to arrive at the dining room at 9:00, but we, the staff, are already sitting together at 7:00, drinking coffee first, enjoying the amazing view in Slovakia, doing a walk, a pool, and all morning it's like this, together, even before "That the players are coming and the activity is starting. This is evident at work."
So can we ensure that there is a future for Israeli football?
"Absolutely. Since I joined the association last year, everyone's goal has been to develop and promote the Israeli player. The first meetings were hours to touch on all areas and develop players.
"Development is divided into several things. First, the regional development centers, which I am in charge of the center in the Galilee landscape. Both the coaches are developed and there I am an instructor in an elite youth course, and of course in the national teams themselves.
"I am Ofir's assistant in the youth team and he helps me in the boys up to the age of 16. Together, we created a work plan that will go through all the teams. The results came quickly. We have talented players of all ages and with the right work produce strong teams and good teams. Players in the senior team in a few years. "
Ofir Haim.
All the time together, Photo: UEFA website
"Suitable for the high levels"
Tonight, the team will meet France, which Israel faced in the championship preparation games in their magnificent complex at the "Clearfontaine".
In fact, the French agreed to meet Israel in preparation because they did not really believe they would meet them at the crucial stages.
But now Ofir Haim and his team have enough information about the French, after playing against them twice already.
"Factually, we did not lose to them, we ended in a draw twice. We played these games without Oscar Gluch, who was with the young team," Mordechai said. "The French coach asked, 'Number 10 has arrived?' I'm good, but you'll have it in the championship.
"He knew him and a few other players he thinks are world-class. If coaches like that, who know the best players in the world, think our players are at those levels, that says it all."
The discourse around Oscar Gluch is extraordinary, we marked it with a scout championship from the top teams in Europe, what do you hear about it?
"We also hear it firsthand, because we see the scouts who come to watch the games. The players know it and withstand all the pressures. It just proves that they do fit the high levels.
"I've been following Oscar for the last year. In the last six months he's made a meteoric break. We always knew he was a special player who knew how to do magical things like the goal against Austria. The question for such a player is when the potential will be realized. And it happens to him now. Pace comes on the field and does creative things.
"He will go much further because his character is right. He got on a wave and does things here that even coaches of the other teams, like France, Italy and England, say 'wow' about him."
Oscar Gluch.
Mordechai is sure he will go very far, Photo: UEFA website
At these levels, the players are already playing in the best leagues in Europe, maybe this generation of ours should go abroad early to develop, for the benefit of the future of Israeli football and the success of the senior team in the future?
"I would recommend any player, no matter what age, if there is the opportunity, to go to Europe as soon as possible. We played 17 international games against Spain, France, Turkey and England and saw how hard it takes to reach the level of those who play in the best leagues in the world.
"To get to those levels, you have to get to those levels as fast as possible, even if it's at age 10. The goal is for our players now to get the chance early."
In conclusion, do you believe that you can take another step and reach the final? Or maybe the unbelievable and win the championship?
"We told the players from the first moment that we believe it is possible to do Euro and World Cup and it happened. We believed we would reach Euro and win it. We broke a lot of barriers, one of them was to reach the semi-finals and we believe in our strength. We will never give up. Like France, one of the favorites to win.
"We played against them twice and drew, so there is faith. We are not here to 'participate' but to win. We will do our best to win. We are already here, so we want to go all the way."
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