Tonight, Maccabi Tel Aviv plays a crucial match against Altach for a ticket to the Europa League Group Stages. Guillermo Israilevich took part in the experience when he played for the Yellow & Blue between 2008-2012 and made history helping the Club advance to the Europa League Group Stages in 2011/12 – for the first time ever.
Maccabi Tel Aviv advanced that season by defeating Panathinaikos 3:0 in Israel while losing 2:1 in Athens as Israilevich and his teammates made it into the competition. Just ahead of the match against the Austrians, we picked up the phone and called the 34 year old now living in Argentina who still has a warm spot in his heart for Israel, to take a trip down memory lane. During the conversation we found out that even though he may have left Maccabi, Maccabi has never left him.
Hi Guillermo! What are you up to these days?
“I am living in Santa Fe, Argentina. I retired two and half years ago after playing in the second division for Boca Unidos. Unfortunately, I was injured in one of the matches and I ripped apart my ankle and I couldn’t return and play at a professional level. It was not a simple injury.”
Do you still follow Maccabi?
“Up until a year ago I was very up to date. I know what is going on in the Israeli league, that Maccabi won three league titles in a row and I also heard that Sheran Yeini came back to the club since we are still friends and are in touch. I know that Maor Bozaglo was playing for Beer Sheva as I have been most interested in where my former teammates are today. I occasionally speak to Yoav Ziv since he is also a good friend of mine and I heard that he is now the club manager. He is a terrific guy and I’m sure he will do great in that role.”
What do you remember about the match against Panathinaikos?
“I never expected something like that. We thought that maybe we could win 1:0 and not give up a goal at home, so even they were shocked from the outcome. On paper they were thought to be a better side, so we made it our mission not to give up a goal in order for the tie not to be more difficult down the road.”
How do you prepare for a match like that?
“Advancing to a tournament like this was a once in a lifetime opportunity for most of the players. We made history being the first team to make it to the competition and we had that in our heads before the contest. We felt good beforehand and weren’t nervous. I recall that we were in a really good mood all week prior to the match and like I said, you don’t have many chances to play in such games.”
Who do you or what do you miss the most about Maccabi?
“I was in touch with everyone but mostly with Yoav Ziv, Reef Peretz and Tom Menasherov. We were always hanging out together. We played a lot of Backgammon before and after training sessions. Once I really learned the game I was the best, but I must admit that Yoav was better than everyone beforehand.”
Have you kept in touch with players from other clubs from the time you were in Israel?
“The truth is no. The time I spent at Kfar Saba and Maccabi Haifa was good but the period when I was at Maccabi was the best for me in Israel and not just because of the football but everything. It’s not that I wasn’t happy at the other clubs but it was just the best at Maccabi Tel Aviv. I really miss it as does my wife and family. I occasionally come to visit. I miss it a lot. It was a place that I was very happy.”
What do you think about Maccabi over the past few seasons?
“They have done an amazing job. When I arrived at Maccabi there were some issues as the owner had just left and a new owner had just taken over the club. One season before I came the club almost was relegated as there was so much going on. They changed a lot of players and that took time. I am very happy that they have done well. When I left, Jordi Cruyff arrived and he has done a phenomenal job. It’s not simple to do these things at a football club.
Do you have a message for the fans?
“Most importantly I have to say thank you, I know that they remember me as I occasionally receive messages from them. Maccabi fans are something very special and I’m not just saying that because you called me from Maccabi. They were the best fans from any of the clubs I played for. Haifa, Nazareth who didn’t have many fans, Kfar Saba who were good, but there is nothing like Maccabi Tel Aviv supporters. I am very happy that I had the opportunity to play there. I had an option to go to other clubs but I am very happy that I chose the Yellow & Blue. Even when there were issues, the fans were always there.”
