The Winner League soccer playoffs are on hold this weekend due to the international window, as Israel begins its road to the 2026 World Cup. In the first games for Israel in Group I of the UEFA bracket of the qualifiers, Israel is hosting two games in this window at Nagyerdei Stadium in Debrecen, Hungary, against Estonia on Saturday at 21:45 IST/15:45 EDT and against Norway on Tuesday at 21:45 IST/15:45 EDT.
While at training camp in Hungary, the team had a video call with former hostage Eli Sharabi, who was released from Hamas captivity last month after being taken from Kibbutz Beeri on October 7, 2023. Sharabi, who only learned of the murder of his wife Lianne and daughters Noiya and Yahel on October 7 after his release, recently gave a brave interview accounting his time in captivity on Israeli Channel 12’s “Uvda” program.
Those who have seen the interview know what a special person Sharabi is and that is what he showed when he spoke with Ran Ben Shimon’s squad.
“It is a great honor for me to speak with the Israeli National Team players,” Sharabi started. “It’s amazing, I never dreamed of this, so of course I’m excited.
“I always had a membership to the National Team games and I would always go to games at Ramat Gan and later at Bloomfield and at Sammy Ofer to see the National Team. I always feel proud of the National Team. I’m sure that it’s not easy to represent the country at such a difficult time, there’s a lot of responsibility, but remember that when the waves get stronger, the strong emerge. I’m sure that you are all very, very strong and you will prove it to us.”
Sharabi continues to fight for the release of the hostages who remain in captivity and is currently in New York to speak to the United Nations Security Council.
“In my situation and all the tragedy that I’ve gone through, I am persevering. Tomorrow I’m flying to New York to speak to the UN Security Council. We do not forget the 59 hostages who remain there and we need to bring everyone home. Therefore, also at difficult times, I get up and do this. Therefore, we also expect from you to show greatness and play like men and to represent the country with responsibility and with honor.
“If we sometimes fall behind, lift your head up and even if you see that everything is a little dark, we look for the light and find it. So believe the whole time that it’s possible to change the result and to bring the victory like one unit. The Nation of Israel expects to see that you’re fighting and working with each other and that’s enough for us. And the most important thing is to enjoy the journey. Wake up happily for this game and win and bring us lots and lots of respect.”
In response to his words, National team players all rose to their feet and applauded Sharabi, as seen on the video published by the Israel Football Federation.
Ben Shimon asked Sharabi what was he thinking about the most while in captivity, when it would have been very easy for him to breakdown.
“I think of my family, of my wife and daughters,” Sharabi responded. “That I promised them that I would return and it doesn’t matter how I return, I tell myself, with or without arms, with or without legs, i[‘m returning to them because I promised them. We always say one to another, we were four together in captivity for 14 months, 24/7, we say to each other that there is the ‘what’, we always look for the ‘how’. It’s always possible to find a way to execute the task, friends. The main thing that there is the something that it’s for. For us, it was our families and that’s a lot – our whole world – and we never intended to give up and I had no doubt that I would return from captivity.”
“I just want to tell you one thing – I think I speak for all of us when I say that you are a real hero, you’re a real hero for our country,” Ben Shimon concluded the conversation. “We have very few opportunities to say that directly to people like you, people who paid the greatest price for our Israeli society. You are a really great hero. I also see the players here, how emotional they are to speak with you. I think our interaction gave us great strength. We are the last people in the world who have the right to complain about difficulties or anything else after we have heard what you have gone through. You are for us heroes of Israel. From here in Hungary, the Israeli National Team wants to send you a big hug, a lot of love, we are very proud of you and thank you for agreeing to speak with us today.”
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