Former Yellow & Blue winger Tal Ben Chaim stopped by to greet his friends and former teammates in Prague and spoke about his new club, expectations and of course Maccabi:
“I came to see some of my former teammates and friends after not having seen them for a couple of months. It was great to see everyone and it was exciting to also see the professional and medical staff as well even the security staff that had accompanied us in Europe and at training camp over the past few years. I’m happy that I’ll be able to see them play and I hope that they will win.”
Seeing all of the Yellow & Blue fans throughout the Czech capital:
“I had a chance to walk around the city center today and Prague felt like Tel Aviv because there were so many Maccabi fans. It was really heartwarming and it was a bit of deja vu. I miss it a lot, but it was something that I took into account when I moved to Prague and I also said that in the past it may be good to take a break from each other as absence makes the heart grow fonder.”
On Maccabi for this coming season:
“I think that they have a very good team and I believe that Maccabi as a club with Jordi at its head, know how to deal with a player leaving. They always know how to put together a good squad and one that could be even better than in prior seasons. I try to see as many Maccabi matches as possible and I wish them the best of luck. I hope that they will win the title this season after not having won it the past two campaigns.”
About Slavia Prague:
“I haven’t seen them play one match yet and I haven’t played against them either, but I will three days after the Maccabi game. I don’t think I can give out any tips about Slavia but maybe you’ll be able to. It seems to me that the top clubs in the Czech Republic are at about the same level of the best clubs in Israel such as Maccabi and Beer Sheva. I believe that it will be a very even match and Slavia may have an advantage as they are at home, but I’m sure Maccabi can take a good result back to Israel.”
Acclimating to his new home:
“I’m still at a point where I am acclimating and I am learning the league and my club Sparta Prague. I’m still at the beginning of the road and I also came in to the team with an injury that I suffered in the State Cup Final but I was able to start the season off decently. However, we haven’t really gotten off to a great start overall.”
Expectations when playing for Sparta:
“Sparta is like the Maccabi Tel Aviv of Prague and they are the biggest club in the city. If Maccabi would have begun the campaign just as Sparta did here, the treatment from the fans, the press and from the club itself would have been the same because we are the biggest club in the country. There are expectations and you can’t take your foot off of the gas and you can’t get into a slump. That’s what is unique at big clubs and it’s fun to be a part of it.”
Battle for the championship in Israel:
“I’m sure that this season will be the same as it was the last five campaigns, where it will be Maccabi and Beer Sheva fighting it out until the end. I hope that Maccabi will be the Champion at the season.”
Final thoughts:
“I’m still a big fan of the club and I’m crossing my fingers for them. I try to watch Maccabi as much as possible. I wish that they will succeed and be able to reach all of their goals and of course start off with a win against Slavia.”
