Summary: Hapoel Beer Sheva - MS.
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Only four days remain until Israel's match against Iceland in the semi-finals of the Euro 2024 playoff, and today (Sunday) a press conference will be held at 11:00 a.m. with the participation of national coach Alon Hazan.
This is one of the most important games in the history of the Israeli national team, one that could place it 90 minutes away from the first ever qualification for the European Championship that will be held this summer in Germany.
Israel will host Iceland in Budapest on Thursday (March 21) and the winner will advance to the Euro 2024 promotion playoff final, where they will play either Bosnia or Ukraine on March 26.
Whoever wins the final, has already been drawn to the House of God, with Belgium, Slovakia and Romania.
Ahead of the game, Raz Shlomo was released from the squad due to an injury he is carrying.
The Maccabi Tel Aviv defender has not been playing and training in recent weeks, and therefore will not be able to take part in the game.
The one who was called in his place to the staff is Dan Glazer, a midfielder of Crete, who was included in the waiting list of Banyon and Canzan.
Cantor/Shlomi Gabai
On Shawn Weissman's non-call:
"I would be upset if there were no criticisms about the squad. We are building a squad that is not only professional, but a cohesive dressing room that runs and works together. Shawn plays, but I wasn't asked why he was invited when he didn't play for four months. We We also need players who, if you put them in for 5-10 minutes, they will do it without hesitation. Shawn is a team player and will be in the future as well, this time we chose to play without him."
On Eran Zahavi:
"We didn't have a question mark about Eran. We don't use players and throw them away, we provide backup. It happens that a player doesn't score. He used to the Israeli football that he conquers in almost every game. Once we added him after the whole story from one time, there was no A chance that we won't include him in the squad. His story should be a message. A player who scores such a number of goals falls into a month and a half without scoring and suddenly everyone is eulogizing. Respect the profession a little more. You can criticize, but know how to do it in a more respectable way."
About Ido Shahar:
"A week ago all the journalists called me to ask me if he would start against Iceland, and after Maccabi Tel Aviv's 6:1 against Olympiakos suddenly everyone asked if he was even a natural right defender. I saw things in him that were part of the positive change in Maccabi Tel Spring and I felt it suited us."
On the call-up of Dan Glazer instead of Raz Shlomo
: "Even in Maccabi Tel Aviv we were already planning to bring Raz back, but yesterday we learned that he was in pain. We added another player who could be a classic 6, Glazer who was already with us and did some good things. We have connections that we can move and be brakes. If we need a fourth brake, we will make an internal change."
On the fitness of the players after the defeat of Maccabi Tel Aviv and the loss of Maccabi Haifa in the league:
"Until a week ago, everyone was optimistic, Maccabi Haifa showed incredible ability against Fiorentina, Maccabi Tel Aviv beat Olympiakos 1:4 away... Football is volatile and in our country the opinions We change every day, not just every week. We have a squad, with whom we go and in whom we believe. Without looking at the last result of each team."
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Hazan: "There was no question mark about Zahavi, we don't use players and then throw them away"/Reuters
On the effect of the war:
"This is a different time than the games a few months ago. Then we were at the beginning of the war, the effect on everyone was crazy, and no matter how much we tried to lower it, it was very difficult for everyone to disconnect. We are still in difficult moments, but in this case we are doing everything to focus professionally. No There will be content related to things that surround us. The goal is to isolate the players and concentrate only on football. We all go through war-related things every day. The emotions in this case should only erupt after the game. Last time the fluctuation between football and emotions was difficult."
On his future and status:
"I don't think for a moment what happens to me personally, what is in the forefront of my mind is the success of the national team. We created the opportunity to play in the playoffs through the Nations League, we didn't get it. Everyone thought we might skip the Euro qualifiers, even though I said it would be difficult. Still We could have done it... I did my personal soul-searching, but I'm looking ahead."
On the opponent:
"Iceland is very misleading. Many people remember Euro 2016 and there is a feeling that it is now a team in decline, but that is not true. Iceland has players from senior leagues and is a physical and aggressive team. We will have to be more focused than in the games against them in the Nations League - and do what we know what to do in front of her in a good way."
On the words of the coach of the Iceland national team against Israel:
"I read, I heard, I'm not interested in a word of what he said. I'm interested in playing football."
On the key to victory:
"When I see players in good shape, it encourages me a lot. But team games are something different, the key to success is the ability of all of us to reach the highest level of commitment possible - that's what can make the change. Sometimes it's easy to say how much we believe and want, But at the end of the day, you have to do it and not just say it. Everyone who gets on the plane must understand that they shouldn't be in a situation where the chosen one will show that they want more from us."
On the balance of power:
"I think some people in Israel don't think we're capable, but it doesn't bother me. I've also heard the other national teams. In a certain situation we're an underdog, but that doesn't interest me or the players. We have to work harder than any opponent and the key as What I said is the commitment."
Cantor on Vitor: "Tie himself to the country and to Israeli football"/Barney Ardov
About Liel Abda:
"Abda worked until two weeks ago, he was at Celtic and was also planned to play - until the same situation with the same fan. He has been training with us for a week and a half, he is in good shape, we are not worried about his fitness."
On Shagib Yehezkel: "The illusory situation, the whole attack by Turkey as if he did something that should not be passed. He supported and this is required in the country he lives in, he certainly did not defy. Unfortunately, Shagib in a legal situation and a month and a half without training is a bit too long before a game like this It is important".
On Miguel Vitor: "One should be full of appreciation for those who do what they don't have to do. Miguel tied himself to the country and Israeli football. He could have said he was injured, but he did everything, everything to get in optimal condition for the game against Iceland. He should be appreciated for This. He shows that he knows how to appreciate his place in the Israeli national team."
Israel national team squad for the Euro 2024 promotion playoffs
Goalkeepers:
Omri Glazer, Daniel Peretz, Yoav Jarfi
Defense:
Eli Dessa, Roy Rabivo, Miguel Vitor, Ofir Davidzadeh, Ofri Arad, Shawn Goldberg.
Link:
Gadi Kinda, Ramzi Spuri, Muhammad Abu Fani, Dor Peretz, Neta Lavi, Gabi Kanikovski, Tomer Yousfi, Ido Shahar, Oskar Gloch, Dan Glazer.
Attack:
Eran Zahavi, Dor Turgeman, Lial Abda, Anan Halaili, Thai Bribo
More on the same topic:
Israel's national team
Euro 2024
Yossi Benayoun
Alon Hazan