Israel's Under-20 Footballers: A Golden Generation United by Talent (BBC Sport)
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Israel's Under-20 Football Team: A Moment of Unity and Hope (June 2023)
By Mike Henson, BBC Sport senior journalist
It was, according to Ido Rakovsky, like reporting on "science fiction", not sport. Israel, with a single World Cup appearance by their senior team, had defeated global powerhouses Brazil in the quarter-finals of the Under-20 World Cup.
At full-time, the Israeli television commentator promised: "You will tell of this night to your children, and they will tell it to your grandchildren."
The game against Uruguay five days later became the most-watched program on Israeli TV that evening, pulling in a 23% share. Politicians praised the team.
A National Obsession
"That summer, everybody was watching under-20 football, everybody knew the players," Rakovsky recalls. "Everybody in Israel fell in love with these kids."
It wasn't just the win over Brazil that felt extraordinary; it was the identity of the team and their impact on Israeli society. Anan Khalaili, an Arab player, used the Hebrew phrase 'Am Yisrael' (People of Israel) during a post-match interview.
"That an Arab player used that figure of speech said something about the identity of that team," Rakovsky explains. "That team made real the claim that football can truly bring people together – that Muslim players are part of the national team of the Jewish state, representing Israel and creating something better for both the present and future."
The Shattering of Hope (July 2023 - Present)
Just over four months later, Hamas attacked Israel. The conflict resulted in the deaths of approximately 1,200 people and the taking of 251 hostages by Hamas. In response, Israel launched a massive military offensive in Gaza. According to the United Nations, more than 70,000 Palestinians have been killed.
The Future of the Golden Generation?
As the war continues, can the potential of this golden generation of Israeli footballers be realized? The team's run at the World Cup and their impact on society seemed to suggest a future filled with possibility. They had shown what could be achieved through unity and talent.
But now, amidst the devastation and conflict, their promising path seems shrouded in uncertainty.