Israel Soccer Team Prepares for Nations League Opener Against Austria

The Israeli national soccer team is in its final preparations for its opening match in the UEFA Nations League against Austria, scheduled for Thursday evening in Linz. With less than 2,000 tickets remaining for the game, Austrian media are expressing confidence in a full stadium, while downplaying Israel's chances and noting the absence of key Austrian players like Christoph Baumgartner, Marcel Sabitzer, David Alaba, and Marko Arnautović. The Austrian team will train and hold its press conference an hour and a half away from the stadium, while the Israeli squad will train at the venue on Wednesday evening.

For the first time, national coach Ran Ben Shimon will have a full squad available for training, including players returning from the US. Thai Baribo, Liel Abada, and Idan Toklomati arrived on one flight, while Dor Turgeman and Ilai Feingold arrived separately. Ben Shimon plans to meet with the US-based forwards to assess their condition after the long flight and potential jet lag. Some players have taken sleeping pills, in consultation with team doctor Udi Kaufman, to adjust their schedules.

The decision on who will start at forward will be made after this meeting, with options including Dor Turgeman, the in-form Thai Baribo, or Seyd Oubraye. In defense, the choice for the starting lineup will be between Idan Nachmias, who has recovered from an injury, and Raz Shlomo, with a preference for a player from Hapoel Be'er Sheva in the back four.

Meanwhile, Israeli Football Association chairman Shino Zuarz, his deputy Moran Meiri, and CEO Yariv Tepper are scheduled to meet with senior Austrian Football Federation officials. They will also meet with Willy Ruttensteiner and Andy Herzog, former coaches of the Israeli national team, with Ruttensteiner having recently served as a professional advisor to the Israeli chairman.