Lugassi doubts Uruguay, Ginzburg: "The media noise? They know how to disconnect" - voila! sport

Shlomo Weiss reports ahead of the World Cup semi-finals (Shlomo Weiss)

Israel's youth team held its final training session on Wednesday evening ahead of its game against Uruguay in the semifinals of the World Cup. The one who is doubtful for tomorrow's game is Ariel Lugasi. Maccabi Petah Tikva midfielder suffered a heavy blow in the game against Brazil and today held training on the sidelines and not with the rest of his teammates.

The decision regarding Lugasi will be made later, but it is believed that in any case he will not be able to start in Ofir Haim's lineup, with Anan Halaili, strong in the lineup picture for the game. The atmosphere in the final training session was very positive and it is evident from the players that despite the great buzz and the many media outlets that arrived in Argentina in the last 24 hours, they remain relaxed and continue on their way.

Practicing on the side. Lugassi (Photo: Walla! Editorial Board, Shlomo Weiss)

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Professional director Bonnie Ginzburg spoke just after the training session and said: "There is great excitement and we want to continue the dream. The only thing that bothered us was the recovery, but right now in the final training session it looks fine."

On the excitement of the players from the buzz and commotion around them, he said: "We are their minds, there are people here with enough experience to know how to cut them off and to this day they have conducted themselves in an exemplary manner and if there is suddenly a deviation of one kind or another, we will sort it out. It's not an excuse for the game, we come prepared like all games."

"The professional team headed by Ofir controls everything. When I started the job I didn't think about the World Cup and it was due of course to the great success at the European Championships. But if you ask me when I realized something would be successful, it's when we qualified for the European Championships, where I felt there was something special about this team."

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Will do more magic? Haim (Photo: Walla!, Shlomo Weiss)

Two victories from the dream. Halili (Photo: Walla! Editorial Board, Shlomo Weiss)

On Uruguay: "We know what we need about them, we analyzed them and I don't think there is a team that can surprise another team. It's a very aggressive, very tough team that knows how to attack from the outside very well and if we're exposed, they can punish us."

Regarding the future of the players, Ginzburg said: "The process has already begun after the European Championship. Many of the players play for their clubs as senior players. They made the move after taking the opportunity they were given. There are five players here from Hapoel Tel Aviv, part of Maccabi Petah Tikva and our recommendation to the teams is to believe in the young players. You have to believe in the player because we believe in the Israeli players and there will be a turnaround here that will give push teams to push and believe in the young players."

• sport
• Israeli football
• Israeli national teams

Tags

• Mondialito
• Youth national football team