“Forbes Israel” magazine launched the 30Under30 list for 2023 yesterday (Monday) and selected four Israeli athletes: 200 meter world champion Blessing Afripa, judoka Raz Hershko, Salzburg soccer player Oskar Gloch and Formula One driver Roy Nisny.
The list includes 60 young people up to the age of 30 who managed to record impressive achievements in their fields and lead significant changes. As every year since the launch of the project in Israel, registration was opened to the general public. From the thousands of nominations received, the final list was compiled.
The rigorous selection process was conducted based on parameters and criteria that emphasized mainly (but not only) outstanding achievements, degree of influence and potential for future impact. The screening stages included consultations, questioning and interviews with a variety of professional experts in various fields and key figures in Israeli society, economy and public opinion.
One of the chosen ones, Oscar Gloch, was interviewed by “Forbes Israel” magazine. “Ever since I can remember, from a young age when I just started playing football, I have been a fan of Real Madrid,” he said, referring to the offer he received from Barcelona. “No, that’s not why I didn’t sign. When Shahar my agent called to tell me Barcelona wanted me I was very excited, but they joined the race late and remembered when we were already locked in on Salzburg and we knew it was the best choice for me. In the end, I believe we made the right decision when we chose them and not Barcelona. It makes more sense for my development as a player.”
Gloch was asked if the goal he scored against England in the final was the highlight for him and he answered: “It was definitely the most exciting moment. To score a goal and take the lead in such an important final against such a strong team as England was a very special moment. In the middle of the game you don’t have time at all to digest what you did Because you’re all focused on the game. In the end, when the game ended, we were very disappointed because we didn’t win, but it lasted for about a day. Only then do you digest and see all the love that was surrounding us in the media and in the country in general, and then you realize what you did.”
“I wasn’t in a hurry to leave, after all I didn’t really play that much in Maccabi’s seniors,” Gloch continued when asked if he knew after the goal against England that the chapter in Israel was over. “Maybe I needed more experience and a little more time in the league here, but I knew that at some point the European chapter would come because I wanted it very much. My motivation was always to progress, always to reach the biggest teams.”
When asked what his big dream was, he answered: “The highlight moment would be to reach Real, my biggest dream is to play in the Bernabeu and wear the Real Madrid uniform. And if not Real, then a team in the top 5 in the Premier League. The dream of the Israeli national team is to reach a major tournament with the team, Euro Or the World Cup. To do something they haven’t done before.”