Guy Panini is expected to become tonight (19:00 against Bnei Herzliya) the highlight of the performances in the basketball Premier League, when he will play his 512th game and pass Meir Tapiro.
Panini is a natural phenomenon.
He is not an athlete, not strong, not fast - yet he knows how to play the game correctly even at the age of 40 (in September).
The 512th appearance will raise him to first place, and since he is not retiring in the foreseeable future - he may open a gap there that will be difficult to close.
We contacted several players from the top ten in the number of appearances in the league, to give an opinion on the program "Survival" by Guy Pannini and his secret.
In tenth place in the table is Yogev Ohion, who is also Panini's best friend, who played with him more than anyone else.
They won the Euroleague together in 2014, at the peak moment of both of their careers, and collaborated with Maccabi Tel Aviv, Hapoel Holon and the national team. Yogev calls him a "walking genius", and claims that he "can play until the age of 50, he only gets sharper with the years". Also gives great credit to Pennini's wife, Ricky, as giving "a lot of stability to his career."
Ohion, who today plays for the city of Nahariya, says: "His big secret is his head. He is not strong, not an athlete and not 2.10 m, but he has this thing that makes him a few steps ahead. He is an exemplary athlete, does everything to stay in his mind. Knows how to do everything to win. It's not for nothing that he's been in the places where titles are won. He's someone you want with you, not against you. He has a character that wins games - he's a real player."
Ochion and pearls.
Good friends even off the floor, photo: Danny Maron
Meir Tapiro, who will give him the first place, played with Panini in Bnei Hasharon, in Hapoel Jerusalem and in the Israel national team: "I'm not upset that he passed me, I support and am happy for him. You have to be special to play at such an age, it's rare. He's going to create a gap in the place The first one will be difficult to pass," says the former player.
"His secret is intelligence, courage. He is always ahead of everyone in thinking. When there is intelligence in the team - it is easier for everyone. He has the courage to take the opportunities and know how to deal with all kinds of situations. They said about him 'yes athletic, not athletic', but he knew how to It's his, and he broke glass ceilings all the time. As long as he's having fun - I recommend him to keep playing. If a situation arises where he can't come to training, that he's suffering - he should stop."
Pearls and tapir.
Exchange of places, photo: Alan Shiver
Lior Eliyahu, eighth on the list, who played with Panini in Maccabi Tel Aviv and in the national team, says: "Guy is a very special player, and you saw it already in his first game, where he scored from three-quarters of the field.
He is no longer at his peak, but his presence and added value are great."
"He's another coach on the field. He's one of the biggest winners that was here, one who didn't break. After the injury he had at a late age, he knew how to come back in a big way. He knows how to reinvent himself, and he made a mark wherever he was."
Eliyahu and Panini.
together in yellow,
Guy Panini
Euroleague championship with Maccabi, photo: Alan Shiver
pearly.
In the uniform of Hapoel Jerusalem, photo: Alan Shiver
pearly.
Celebrating a championship with Holon, photo: Danny Maron
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