Today, May 13th, fifteen years ago, Maccabi’s legendary goalkeeper, Alexander Uvaruv played his last game for Maccabi Tel Aviv. Looking back on Uvarov’s career in Israel, we caught up with close friend and former teammate, Alexander Polukarov.
Fifteen years ago today, Maccabi hosted Beitar Jerusalem for the final game of the 1999/00 season. The game will not be remembered for Maccabi's 4-1 victory or the fact that Avi Nimni replaced the goalkeeper, but for the farewell to one of Maccabi’s greatest goalkeepers Alexander 'Shura' Uvarov, who played his last game in Maccabi’s goal.
Alexander Uvarov was Maccabi's first goalkeeper for nine seasons, winning three championships and two State Cups. Uvarov was a phenomenon during his time at the club. In order to explain the 'Shura' phenomenon, we caught up with one of his closest friends, Alexander Polukarov, who made the journey from Moscow to Israel at the beginning of the 1990's with Uvarov.
“I met Uvarov for the first time at the Moscow airport. I did not know him personally but we connected during the flight to Tel Aviv. We started training and took off with the team to the training camp. At the end of the camp, Coach Avram Grant told Uvarov and me that Maccabi were happy with us and they will sign us. That’s where it all started”.
Today, Alexander Polukarov manages a soccer school at the Russian club, Torpedo Moscow. He spoke to us shortly after watching a youth practice at the club. Looking back on their first days in Israel, he recalls how many people would confuse their names: “When we first got there people mixed up our names because they are quite similar. At some point Uvaruv asked to be called Shura, which was how he was called in Moscow. That’s when the nickname started”. Later we learned that the goalkeeper also asked to be called Shura because it was his grandmother’s name.
When thinking of Uvarov most of us have memories of a great goalkeeper. However, Maccabi veterans remember a rough start for him and for Polukarov: “I won’t forget the first games he played in Israel. We didn't play well in the first four games. We let too many goals in and it bothered us a lot. One day, Shura and I sat and reviewed every game and every goal we conceded. We did a lot of homework that day. After that meeting we didn't lose 12 games in a row and eventually we won the championship”.
Shura Uvarov felt great in Israel and Polukarov tries to explain some of the reasons: “Shura stayed because of the fans. He had a great connection with them. The local surroundings were very open and friendly and it made him feel welcome. We had a great team spirit as well. We won together and lost together. Professionally, he was able to play for a long period, and it could have been the main reason for his permanent stay in Israel”.
Polukarov names several characteristics that made Shura the man he is: “The first one is kindness. He never said no to anyone and when he helped someone, he did it from his heart. The second one is his professionalism and persistence”.
Polukarov is one of the most memorable foreigners who played for Maccabi, as he genuinely connected with the club’s culture: “I haven’t had the chance to follow Maccabi for the last six months. Until then I would get my updates from the Internet and from speaking to Shura. I am always happy to hear that Maccabi is winning”.
When Polukarov heard that Shura’s retirement anniversary is around the corner he said he would call to congratulate and to reminisce about the old days: “We haven’t talked since January, but we always keep in touch. I wish Shura to always stay the same as he is now, young and happy, and of course, always number one!”.
