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Itai Moshkovits in an interview: "Estonia turned away, but Israel is home" | Israel today

2023-02-22T05:49:46.305Z


Before the debut in the national team, Itai Moshkovitz, the young star of Hapoel Galil Iliyon, talks about the dilemma ("It flattered me, but I decided to represent my country") • Recalls the serious injury last season ("I asked myself if I would return to play") • And dreams (" The NBA is amazing, but the Euroleague excites me more")


On Friday, the Israeli national team will begin the last window of games in the World Championship qualifiers, a tournament for which they lost a chance to qualify.

Ahead of the pair of games, several young players were invited to the squad, for whom this is their first appearance in the national uniform.

One of them is Itai Moshkowitz, the talented center of Hapoel Galil Alyion who this season is recording impressive averages of 11.6 points, 2.7 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 38% from three in only 23.8 minutes of play, which earned him the prestigious debut call-up.

Moskovitz.

Good ability in the Galilee arranged for him a prestigious summons, photo: Maor Alxalsi

How do you feel about the premiere?


"It's an exciting feeling, it's hard for me to describe in words. As a child, I looked at the national team players and they were my role models, so being a national team player is a dream come true."

Did you believe you would make the national team at such a young age?


"I believed I could make it, but I didn't know when and how it would happen, I'm glad it happened now."

How do you explain your improvement this season?


"It's a combination of several factors. The coach and the team give me freedom of action on the field, in my second year I understand better what is required of me and how I can contribute."

You play for one of the only clubs in the league that gives the keys to two Israeli guards.


"Me and Roy (Hoover, TG) talk about it quite a bit, it's very special.

I really believe in the Israeli player and what he brings to the team.

With us, the Israelis are the force in the dressing room and the foreigners get infected with us and connect."

Moskovitz.

Not dreaming of any team in Israel, photo: Danny Maron

"I couldn't eat alone"

You started the season well and then the injury stopped you, share with us the recovery and rehabilitation process.


"It was very difficult for me, I am a person who plans things in advance and the injury ruined my plans. The second I got injured I realized that something was wrong and that it was a serious injury, I looked at my shoulder and saw that it was out of place. The first question I asked the doctor on the field was how long I would be out for."

Those must have been difficult days for you at that time.


"The initial period was not easy, I went through a crisis. Questions came to my mind, I was afraid, I doubted myself and asked myself if I would even be able to return to the field. At first I needed help with every simple action, I was not even able to eat by myself."

A few months ago, Hapoel Jerusalem was looking for an Israeli guard and wanted to add you.

What was your position?


"There was no contact with me, I think it was mostly rumours. Personally, I don't like to think about the next years during the season, because it can confuse or distract me."

Moskovitz.

Hapoel Jerusalem did not contact him, photo: Oded Karni

The Estonian association wanted you to play for their team, you tested and in the end rejected them.

Share with us what was there and why you decided what you decided.


"I have an Estonian passport and they contacted me at the same time as the invitation I received from the Israeli national team. The coach of the Estonian national team spoke to me and really wanted me to be part of the squad, it was surprising and flattering. After thinking, I realized that the right thing for me is to represent my home and my country, this is where I grew up."

When you close your eyes, what is the big dream for the future?


"Playing in the Euroleague is the big dream. The NBA is amazing, but the Euroleague excites me more. I really want to go and play abroad in the coming years, the Spanish league is a league I would like to play in.

In Israel, I don't have a dream of playing for any specific team, we'll see what the future calls for me."

Moshkowitz.

Wants to play in Spain, photo: Danny Maron

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Source: israelhayom

All sports articles on 2023-02-22

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