Israel football team prepares for Albania friendly amid coach's injury

The Israel national football team is gearing up for a friendly match against Albania on Wednesday night, with players beginning to assemble at their training headquarters in Shefayim. The squad will depart for Albania on Monday following a morning practice. Head Coach Ran Ben Shimon is currently recovering from a "fairly serious injury" sustained a few weeks ago. While his ability to travel with the team is uncertain, he conveyed strong confidence in his coaching staff. "I’ve never experienced anything like this in my life, but I’m improving day by day," Ben Shimon stated, adding that he is undergoing further tests. "But whether I fly or not, I have great trust in my staff. We’ve matured a bit and understand that the world doesn’t revolve around us." Ben Shimon views the upcoming match as more than just a friendly, seeing it as an opportunity to work on team development ahead of the Nations League campaign in September. "I don’t know the meaning of the word ‘friendly’, I’m not their friend. In every match, we see both the obligation and the privilege of working on the things we want to develop ahead of the Nations League," he explained. The coach expressed immense pride in the players' commitment, noting that many called to join the camp despite completing a demanding season. "It has truly been an amazing show of dedication, and it fills us with tremendous pride," he said. Ben Shimon also affirmed the team's focus on sport amidst broader geopolitical challenges, stating, "I took this job during a war. We made a decision that we would focus on sport. We try to bring light to dark places."

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I went through a fairly serious injury. I’m recovering slowly but surely, and I received amazing treatment at Sheba Medical Center. I’ve never experienced anything like this in my life, but I’m improving day by day. I still need to undergo tests, including a head CT scan. But whether I fly or not, I have great trust in my staff. We’ve matured a bit and understand that the world doesn’t revolve around us. I don’t want to be a burden on those around me, and I don’t want people focusing on me. The national team is more important than any of us, so I’ll make the best decision today after consulting with the doctors and the heads of the association.