Maccabi London rep team reclaim Pesach Cup

The Maccabi London Rep Team claimed revenge for last year’s penalty shoot-out defeat as they beat the Israeli Olim team 4-1 in the annual Pesach Cup on Monday night.

Played under the floodlights at the Wingate stadium in Netanya, the England team, who were under the new management duo of David Garbacz and Edward Misrahi, featured a mixture of youth and experience with a strong squad of 16 including Maccabiah internationals Dan Jacobs in goal and Greg Corin and Danny Daggers in the centre of the park. That experience was coupled with six teenagers, which included Zachary Garbacz, Max Misrahi and Daniel Friedman, along with other talented MSFL regulars.

The visitors took an early lead through Yoav Lebens, though the Olim side drew level before the break through Marcio Mansour’s strike. Elliot Muslawy fired England back ahead before the break, and they dominated the second half, the highlight of which was a superb Rocky Spitzer solo effort to make it 3-1, and a Tom Prais penalty, after Simon Misrahi had been brought down in the box

Joint-manager Garbacz said: “This was a wonderful match played in a fabulous spirit on a beautiful pitch. It was an honour to co-manage this select team, together with Edward and we were both very proud of how our team played despite hardly knowing each other.

“Everyone played superb and it felt great to lift the cup in Israel in such a beautiful setting. We’d like to thank David Kyte who is the inspiration behind this great annual event and the Olim manager Yoni Sidi. It was an honour to be involved and well done to everyone who took part in both sides .

“Working with Edward and his insight into the Real Madrid way of coaching and playing was an eye opener for me and we look forward to defending our trophy next season.

“We hope that the board of directors will entrust us again to manage and coach the squad next Pesach, possibly in Jerusalem!”

Olim manager Sidi said: “I was impressed with the visiting team, it’s my wish that every one of their players moves to Israel to strengthen our team!”

England squad: Dan Jacobs (London Lions), Zac Garbacz (Hendon), Joel Barnett (Los Blancos), Ben Weinberger (London Lions), Yoav Lebens (FC Team), Thomas Prais (London Lions), Max Misrahi (London Lions), Simon Misrahi (Brady), Marco Lawrence (London Lions), Oli Garbacz (Hendon), Elliot Muslawy (Raiders), Rocky Spitzer (Faithfold), Noah Rubinstein (HMH), Daniel Friedman (HMH), Greg Corin (Hendon), Danny Daggers (London Lions)