Eran Zahavi came on board to discuss the upcoming Derby, his time in China and the special bracelets that Maccabi is selling to help EZ7 raise money for needy families as the Holidays approach:
“Of course I miss the Derby. It’s always a fun game to take part in. The week before you already feel the energy and emotions leading up to the match, but now I’m participating in a different Derby which is the second leg of the Cup. However, you can be sure I’ll be following the Tel Aviv Derby from China.”
The campaign in China:
“In another month the season ends, but now’s not the time to sum up the season just yet as we still have a number of goals ahead of us. When it ends, I’ll take a look and sum up the season from my perspective.”
In touch with Maccabi players:
“I’m in touch with many players and they are a part of me. I still feel like I’m part of the team. I may have left but I feel that I’m still connected to the club and I’m very happy about that.”
Zenit match:
“I didn’t see the end of the match and when I saw the result in the morning, it was crazy. But you have to remember that for 75 minutes the players put on a great show and that’s what you have to take from the game. It was a one in a million chance that a team that is winning 3:0 would fall 3:4. It happened but the season continues on.”
Perhaps missing a leader:
“I don’t think that it was an issue of missing someone on the pitch. But like I said, it was like a one in a million chance that it would happen. I really don’t see it like that at all.”
Raising money for needy families before the Holidays by buying special Eran Zahavi bracelets:
“Maccabi is the first Club to take part in the bracelet project and I want to thank them very much. The project’s goal is to help families who do not have food to eat on the upcoming holidays and if we can help some people then we’ve succeeded.
If you buy 5 bracelets you receive a chance to win a trip for two to see me play in China. Maccabi has a great crowd that thinks of others and this is a way for everyone to help out. I hope that we can raise a lot of money before the holidays for Pitchon Lev and help these families out. The bracelets will be available at the Derby and also at the Maccabi Tel Aviv Official Team Stores”
Derby result:
“Putting the ball in the goal is the most important thing to do in a Derby. Maccabi is playing well and they have a good team, I really don’t think they will have a problem. My guess is 2:0 for Maccabi.”
Avi Meller joined the show to discuss Maccabi’s Matchday Two Europa League opponent, Dundalk:
“I broadcasted one of the game’s against Legia Warsaw and I saw that this may be a bit of an amateur team with not many full timers but they played very solid and attractive football. They shouldn’t be at the level of Maccabi Tel Aviv because their budget and experience is much less. But they are the Champions of Ireland which is a league that is comprised of both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland and Dundalk is currently leading their league as well.”
Looking at Dundalk and their accomplishments:
“They are a good team but it all has to all be taken into proportion. They are the first team to make it into the Playoff Round of the Champions League and they picked up a point against Alkmaar which is also historic. Their left back is a basketball coach, some are teachers, electricians and so forth. The whole city of Dundalk which sits on the border of Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland has a population of 36,000.”
Expectations in Ireland:
“Maccabi is the favorite but they will still have to come and perform, however, there are a lot of intangibles at play for Dundalk. They will fight hard and attack at home. If you put the stats into a computer Maccabi should win, but the games are played on the pitch and if they take a point away in Ireland that would be a good result.”
Maccabi “Shachar” Tel Aviv’s new coach Guy Tzarfati came on board to discuss his return to Yellow & Blue:
“I feel really good to come back to the place I grew up. It’s exciting and I’m ambitious to help out the department. I hope that I’ll succeed.”
Patrick Van Leeuwen’s vision and how Tzarfati joins in the quest:
“The Department is going through a change and I’m thrilled to be able to join the Under-19 squad. There is a certain path that Maccabi wants to go down and be the best Youth Department in Israel and we are all aiming for the same goal.”
It’s all about principles:
“There is a certain DNA here at Maccabi that gives everybody the desire to win titles and be the best that they can be. There has to be a road map, principles, behavior, match play and training. Patrick is making sure that the whole department runs on one system so that when players advance they can make the transition through each level as efficient and effective as possible and that we are giving them the correct tools to do so.”
Putting the Yellow & Blue back on:
“There’s no question that I’m excited and it’s a feeling that I remember from the past as it’s not something that you forget. It’s fun and it really warms my heart.”
Saturday’s contest against Bnei Yehuda:
“The goal here at the Youth Department is to improve. Of course we want to win but we have to make sure we stay true to our principles. We will come into the match prepared and ready to go but again we have to stay as close as possible to our principles and our way of playing.”
