1. The problems are known. Maccabi Rishon LeZion is an unbalanced team with only one high, also at the end of his career, and the great talent Noam speaks of a big crisis since the start of the season. Whatever it was – the group was not allowed to break up like this or look like that.
After Rishon LeZion already led by 15 points towards the end of the first quarter, in its game yesterday, Bnei Herzliya turned, ran and led in the last quarter already with a difference of 40 points (ended 64:94).
It was the Oranges’ biggest low point this season and a bright red light – if there is no drastic change it will part with the Premier League after three and a half decades, after being a champion in recent years, twice the runner-up and twice qualifying for the Cup final.
The coach is of course in charge. Guy Goodes is a coach with rights. In his three seasons in Rishon LeZion, he led her to great achievements and it is not for nothing that he recently received the position of national team coach.
However, this season he lost influence on the team and made quite a few mistakes. It happens in a coach’s career, it’s just a pity that his final chord at the club (supposed to end his role) was jarring with his unnecessary dismissal after which the team disbanded completely.
On the other hand it was a symbolic move that made it clear that the coach just realized it was over. How symbolic? The man who never gives up raised his hands.
Farewell to the Viking. Guy Pnini became the oldest player in the league this week, after Jonathan Schuldbrand, who returned to Hapoel Tel Aviv this season, announced his retirement at the age of 38. The man who only at a relatively young age realized how good he is.
Schuldbrand, the son of former actor Lawrence Schuldbrand, knew a twisted career. After not impressing at first he went out to play in Sweden and the second division in Spain and then precisely towards the end of his 20s he moved his career from an unexpected place.
Erez Edelstein brought him to Hapoel Tel Aviv, which was in the second division. The forward helped her rise and stayed in the red for another three years, revealing his qualities and especially his off-arc shooting ability.
He seemed to get better as he got older. In the six seasons leading up to this season he has scored over 40 percent off the arc. In his three seasons at Hapoel Eilat, before returning to Tel Aviv this season, he was excellent and at the same time the team reached the top two twice.
His comeback to red looked perfect for the end of his career, but was interrupted this week due to injuries. It does not matter, because the great contribution in the comeback of the Reds to the forefront of the stage he has already made.
3. A character actor. Even at his peak, Joaquin Schuchman was not a great attacking player. Teamwork, protection and energies are his trademark. Suddenly he comes to one of the most difficult halls and gives a great offensive performance.
The 22 points he scored against Hapoel Holon equaled the peak of his career. It came at the best possible time for him and his team, which is at its lowest point this season.
Eilat came to Holon with four consecutive losses, with a single victory in eight games, and after a loss in the last seconds to Maccabi Rishon LeZion in a bottom battle, after which it dropped in the last round to the last place in the table.
Players with character come at the right time and that is what Schuchman did in Holon. A year ago he was at the low point of his career. His ability at Hapoel Tel Aviv was poor. 3.5 points on average and one three in eight games. Hapoel Tel Aviv decided to say goodbye to him and there were not many jumpers.
Who believed in him precisely in a moment of crisis? Ariel Beit Halachmi. The coach under whom Shuchman flourished in Gilboa / Galil and under his guidance became one of the best Israelis in the league and also reached the national team.
During last season, Beit Halachmi landed Schuchman in Eilat. It went hard at first, but under Beit Halachmi he came back to himself. A game like against Holon reminded me of his good days.
Were we wrong? Fixed! If you found an error in the article, we’ll be happy for you to share it with us
.