Israel National Team Coach Ben Shimon Emphasizes Resilience and Optimism Ahead of Nations League

Israel national football team coach Ran Ben Shimon spoke during a visit to the Jewish Sports Museum at Maccabiah Village about the team's preparations and connection to their heritage. He highlighted the importance of understanding history, including its darker chapters linked to the Holocaust, and said he plans to bring his children to the museum to strengthen their connection to their roots.

Ben Shimon recently visited Israeli players in the United States, aiming to support them and show that the national team management follows all players regardless of location. He noted no antisemitic incidents were felt during the visit, despite a recent episode involving player Dor Turgeman in Montreal. Ben Shimon praised Turgeman's maturity and stressed that the team’s path to strength is through sporting achievements.

With the UEFA Nations League campaign starting in about six weeks, featuring four matches in 12 days, Ben Shimon discussed the challenges of assembling the squad. He emphasized selecting a precise group of players likely to contribute, rather than a large roster, and acknowledged the difficulties posed by the long camp during the holiday season, including religious observances and strict security measures limiting players’ movement.

The coach expressed hope for injured player Roy Revivo’s recovery and praised the return of Eliel Peretz to the lineup. He also addressed the difficult situation of Anan Khalaily, who missed an opportunity to play in Italy’s Serie A due to a serious incident. Ben Shimon described this as a painful scar but expressed strong belief that Khalaily will reach top levels in his career.

Ben Shimon remains confident in the team’s prospects for qualifying for the European Championship, emphasizing faith based on the players’ passion and progress. He concluded that the team is capable of achieving great things.