Former Hapoel Be'er Sheva Player Recalls Harsh Desert Life and Israeli Talent

Former Hapoel Be'er Sheva and Hapoel Haifa midfielder Miroslav Bičanić reminisced about his time in Israel in a recent interview with Serbian media. Bičanić, who played for Be'er Sheva in the late 1990s, described the challenging conditions of living in the Negev Desert, noting that Be'er Sheva is located about 100 kilometers from Tel Aviv.

He recalled the team's old stadium and the difficulties faced, including sandstorms and travel issues, which sometimes made the players feel like they were "at the end of the world." Despite these hardships, Bičanić stated that the conditions fostered resilience. He and his family felt comfortable and respected at the club, with the team accommodating his needs, including his children attending an Israeli kindergarten.

Bičanić also commented on the quality of Israeli footballers, highlighting their technical skill and creativity but noting a potential lack of toughness and competitiveness. He specifically remembered being impressed by Yossi Benayoun at age 17, predicting his future international success after witnessing his dominant performance against his team.

In the interview, Bičanić also offered his perspective on a potential match between his favored club, Dinamo Zagreb, and Hapoel Be'er Sheva. He advised Dinamo to take Be'er Sheva seriously, referencing their past success in eliminating Red Star Belgrade.