Israel Veterans Football Team Withdraws From Maccabiah Games Due to Injuries and Fatigue

The Israeli veterans football team, composed of players aged 35 and older, withdrew from their scheduled match against Argentina at the Maccabiah Games after suffering numerous injuries and physical exhaustion. The team, which included notable players such as Yossi Benayoun, Tal Ben Haim (both defender and forward), Omri Afek, and Baruch Dego, initially had a roster of 22 players. However, injuries and the demanding schedule of nearly daily 80-minute matches reduced the squad to only seven fit players by the time of the Argentina game. Many team members were well over 35, including veterans like Stav Elimelech, Yaakov Hillel, Alon Harazi, Ofer Shtrit, and Shimon Gershon, making it difficult to maintain the intense pace.

The team had only one victory and failed to advance beyond the group stage. The coaching staff acknowledged that the roster was too small for such a grueling tournament, especially since assistant coaches Dan Einbinder and Nisso Kapiloto were unavailable due to club commitments. A player commented that a minimum of 30 players should have been assembled given the high injury rate and the advanced ages of many participants, some in their 50s.

The Israel Football Association confirmed the withdrawal, citing the excessive physical strain and injury toll after four intense matches in less than a week. They emphasized the decision was made to protect the players' health and praised the veterans for their dedication and numerous exhibition games since October 7. The final match against Argentina was considered a formality, as the team was already out of contention.