Israel-Austria Nations League Match Sold Out Amidst Player Availability Questions

All tickets have been sold for the upcoming UEFA Nations League match between Israel and Austria, scheduled for Thursday evening in Linz. Austrian media appear to be downplaying Israel's chances, noting key defensive absences and expressing little concern over the unavailability of their own star players like Christoph Baumgartner, Marcel Sabitzer, David Alaba, and Marko Arnautović. While the Austrian team will train and hold their press conference an hour and a half from the stadium, the Israeli squad will conduct their final training session at the venue on Wednesday evening.

Due to Yom Kippur and the refusal of US-based clubs to release their players, Israeli coach Ran Ben Shimon will have a full squad available for training for the first time. Players Tai Bribon, Liel Abada, and Idan Toklomati arrived on one flight, while Dor Turgeman and Ilai Feingold arrived separately, all expected to participate in the final practice.

Ben Shimon plans to meet with the US-based forwards to assess their condition after their long flights and potential jet lag, with some having taken sleeping pills on the advice of team doctor Udi Kaufman. The coach will decide on the starting striker between Turgeman, the in-form Bribon, or Sayed Abu Farchi after these discussions. In defense, the decision between Idan Nahmias, who has recovered from injury, and Raz Shlomo will be made post-training, with a preference for a player from Hapoel Be'er Sheva.

Notably, Eli Dasa was absent from the press conference, fueling speculation about whether he will start or if it's a tactical ploy. If Dasa does not start, Manor Solomon is expected to wear the captain's armband. Meanwhile, Israeli Football Association chairman Shino Zuarz, his deputy Moran Meiri, and CEO Yariv Tepper will meet with Austrian Football Association officials. They are also scheduled to meet with Willy Ruttensteiner and Andy Herzog, former coaches of the Israeli national team, with Ruttensteiner having recently served as a professional advisor to Zuarz.