Olim Teamsnap Cup Final preview

The Olim Cup Final, sponsored by TeamSnap this year, takes place this Saturday evenning, and will be played at the Nes Tziona stadium.

The current cup holders Jerusalem are already through to the showpiece final, after their impressive win over league champions elect – Bambi – in the semi-final. There they await the winners of Aviv City vs England FC

England FC, are looking to take revenge on Jerusalem, in what would be a repeat of last years final, should they negotiate their way past Aviv City, who themselves are looking to win the cup they won in 2012.

So will Aviv win the trophy for a second time?

Will England FC join Jerusalem as the only side to have won every trophy in the world of Olim football in Israel? Or will Jerusalem win a trophy for an unprecedented 3rd year in a row?

Jerusalem (Team Profile)

One of the traditional “big two” of Olim Football (alongside England FC). Started as a group of ex pats playing midweek over 20 years ago.

Founder members of the Olim League

Home Pitch:
Hapoel Katamon, Tzomet Pat, Jerusalem

Sponsors:
101greatgoals.com

Colours:
Home: Green
Away: Yellow

Alternative kits: Black, Maroon

Recent History:
2007/8 Anglo Israel Cup Winners
2008/9 Anglo Israel Cup Runners Up
2009/10 Olim League Runners Up
2011/2 Olim League Champions
2012/3 Olim Cup Winners

Biggest wins:
14-0 vs Modi’in (A) – Olim Cup QF – Feb 2nd 2013
13-2 vs Bet Shemesh (A) – Olim League – Nov 13th 2010
9-1 vs Real Jerusalem (H) – Olim Cup QF – Feb 8th 2014

Jerusalem Squad Profile:
Daniël Boerstra
Age: 29
Position: Goalkeeper
Country of Origin: Netherlands
Previous Clubs: D.E.V. (Netherlands), UNDESA (Aruba), Aruba national team U16 (Aruba), DOVO (Netherlands), VRC (Netherlands), Zwaluwen Vooruit (Netherlands), Athletico Jerusalem (Israel)
Highlights: Three league titles in Holland
Misc: One of the best shot stoppers in the league. Signed from Athletico after they folded this year.

Davied Raber
Age: 27
Position: Goalkeeper
Country of Origin: Netherlands
Previous Clubs: AFCA Amsterdam
Highlights: Two league titles in Holland
Misc: Great keeper, in fierce battle with his Dutch counterpart to regain the number 1 shirt. 1st season with Jerusalem

Dan Kosky
Age: 34
Position: Centre Back
Country of Origin: England
Previous Clubs: Oakwood (MSFL, England), England FC (Israel)
Highlights: England Olim rep team, Olim World Cup winner 2007, 2011, Anglo Israel Cup, Olim League Champion, Olim Cup
Misc: Captain marvel. The rock of the Jerusalem spine. One of a few players to have won two Olim world cups. Jerusalem veteran.

Natan Wiesenberg
Age: 29
Position: Centre Back
Country of Origin: England
Previous Clubs: Hendon Utd (MSFL, England), Ra’anana (Israel)
Highlights: Olim Cup
Misc: Big imposing vocal figure at the back. Rarely loses a header. Signed from Ra’anana 2 years ago.

Solomon Emeka Eze
Age: 29
Position: Centre Back
Country of Origin: Nigeria
Previous Clubs: Nitel (Nigeria), Athletico Jerusalem (Israel)
Highlights: Played in the Nigerian 2nd division
Misc: Quality player, signed from Athletico after they folded this year.

Yoel Finches
Age: 34
Position: Full Back
Country of Origin: England
Previous Clubs: Edgware Eagles, HES, The Falcons (England)
Highlights: Olim League Champion, Olim Cup
Misc: Mr Reliable. Ever present 1st team player for well over 5 years.

Danny Sigal
Age: 20
Position: Full Back
Country of Origin: Netherlands
Previous Clubs: Pharmamatch FC (Netherlands), Athletico Jerusalem (Israel)
Highlights: Signing for Jerusalem after Athletico folded this year
Misc: Young, talented player. Never shirks a challenge.

Lollu Hobbert
Age: 29
Position: Midfield
Country of Origin: England
Previous Clubs: Reich Insurance, Broughton Jewish Football Club, Melchester (Manchester), Hendon Utd (MSFL, London)
Highlights: England Olim Futsol rep team, Olim League Champions, Olim Cup
Misc: Can play anywhere across the middle. Often pops up with crucial goals.

Gavriel Cohen
Age: 22
Position: Midfield
Country of Origin: Belgium
Previous Clubs: Maccabi Antwerpen
Highlights: 5 league titles in Belgium
Misc: Twin brother of Daniel. Mr Duracel. Will keep running the entire 90 minutes.

Gavriel Krieger
Age: 19
Position: Midfield
Country of Origin: England
Previous Clubs: Hendon Utd and U-18 (England)
Highlights: Watford League Cup U-18, 2013
Misc: One of the strongest midfielders you will meet. Close to match fitness after recovering from ankle injury sustained in December.

Yigal Grayeff
Age: 38
Position: Wing / FB
Country of Origin: England
Previous Clubs: Blueline (MSFL, England), Maccabi Caulfield (Australia), England FC (Israel)
Highlights: Olim League Champions, Olim Cup
Misc: Mr versatile. The peter pan of the Olim League. Puts the fitness levels of people half his age to shame.

Calev Ben Dor
Age: 34
Position: Midfield
Country of Origin: England
Previous Clubs: FC Heath (MSFL, England) England FC (Israel)
Highlights: Minor Cup 2005, Olim League Champions, Olim Cup
Misc: Fought his way back into the squad after a long injury lay off.

Amit Dinowitz
Age: 22
Position: Midfield
Country of Origin: England
Previous Clubs: Hendon Utd (MSFL, England)
Highlights: Olim League Champions, Olim Cup
Misc: Full backs don’t like defending against him. Electric pace. Usually scores at least a goal every other game.

Akiva Zneimer
Age: 20
Position: Midfield
Country of Origin: England
Previous Clubs: HIS, HMH, Hendon Utd (England)
Highlights: Olim Cup
Misc: Can play anywhere across the middle. Has one of the fiercest shots in the league.

Eli Warner
Age: 34
Position: Midfield / Striker
Country of Origin: Israel / England
Previous Clubs: HMH, NW Neasden (England)
Highlights: GB Maccabiah, Olim rep side, Olim World Cup winner 2011, Olim League Champions, Olim Cup
Misc: Has played at the highest levels of Jewish football for a number of years. Plays more of a number 10, or a midfielder these days.

Daniel Goodman
Age: 19
Position: Midfield
Country of Origin: England
Previous Clubs: Hendon Utd and Wingate & Finchley (England)
Highlights: GB Maccabiah
Misc: Going into the army, so has been limited to a few games this season.

Eyal Toledo
Age: 27
Position: Midfield
Country of Origin: Israel
Previous Clubs: none
Highlights: Olim Cup
Misc: Has been limited this season by injury. Solid and reliable. Very rarely loses a tackle.

Chaim Lev
Age: 21
Position: Midfield
Country of Origin: Israel
Previous Clubs: Beitar Jerusalem U16, Beitar Givat Zeev U19, Athletico Jerusalem (Israel)
Highlights: Signing for Jerusalem after Athletico folded this season
Misc: Has settled into the Jerusalem side since his transfer, a good long term addition to the squad.

Carlos Mazzini
Age: 30
Position: Midfield
Country of Origin: El Salvador
Previous Clubs: Vencedor Jr., Atletico Santa Cruz Analquito (El Salvador), Athletico Jerusalem (Israel)
Highlights: Signing for Jerusalem after Athletico folded this season
Misc: A very recent signing. Has been limited to a few appearances since Jerusalem snapped up Athletico Jerusalem’s captain. Committed, talented and willing to fight to earn his place.

Daniel Cohen
Age: 22
Position: Striker
Country of Origin: Belgium
Previous Clubs: Maccabi Antwerpen
Highlights: 5 league titles in Belgium
Misc: Twin brother of Gavriel. Like his brother, will keep running the entire 90 minutes. One of the most hard working and unselfish strikers, scores goals, and sets up even more.

Zack Lewis
Age: 18
Position: Striker
Country of Origin: England
Previous Clubs: HMH, Hendon Utd (England)
Highlights: AJY and Maccabi Junior titles
Misc: Phenomenal goal to game ratio, averaging well over a goal per game. Essential part of Jerusalem’s formidable front line.

Moishe Lewis
Age: 23
Position: Striker
Country of Origin: England
Previous Clubs: Gateshead FC (England)
Highlights: England Olim Futsol rep team, Olim League Champions, Olim Cup
Misc: Like his namesake, averages well over a goal per game. Top scorer last 2 seasons. Probably has the most powerful shot in the Olim League.

Player-Managers:
David Preston
Age: 34
Position: Full Back
Country of Origin: England
Previous Clubs: Oakhill, FC Heath (England)
Highlights: England Olim rep team, Olim World Cup winner 2011, Olim League Champion, Olim Cup
Misc: A key member of the Jerusalem league championship side. Scored the winning penalty in the Olim World Cup final penalty shoot out in 2011. Stepped up to manage Jerusalem in 2012 together with Danny Newman and Raffy Wreschner, after Richard Pater stepped down, winning the Olim Cup in their first season in charge.

Danny Newman
Age: 39
Position: Centre Back
Country of Origin: England
Previous Clubs: EBOR (AJY, England) Hendon Utd (MSFL, England), England FC (Israel)
Highlights: England Olim rep team, Olim World Cup winner 2007, 2011, Anglo Israel Cup, Olim League Champion, Olim Cup
Misc: A veteran of Jewish and Olim football. Currently sidelined with a knee injury picked up in October. The only player manager to win 2 Olim World cups. Scored the crucial goal in the last minute of the 2011 Olim World Cup final against the USA, taking the tie to penalties.

AVIV CITY FC
Founded in 2010 by Uri Schneider and Richard Binstock in attempt to increase the number of teams participating in the Olim League. Has never lost an Olim Cup game.

Home Pitch: Sderot HaBash’t, Jaffa – Tel Aviv

Colours: Red & Blue

Recent History:

2011/12 Olim League Cup Winners

2012/13 3rd place in the Olim League

Aviv City Squad Profile:

Uri Schneider
Age: 37
Position: Club Manager and winger
Country of Origin: Israel
Previous Clubs: AIS Vienna, Reading University
Highlights: Scored the Cup Final’s equalising goal in the 88th minute, which Aviv City ended up winning.
Misc: This is Uri’s fourth season as manager of Aviv City.

Yonatan Friedman
Age: 31
Position: Centre Midfield
Country of Origin: Israel
Previous Clubs: Ironi Ramat HaSharon, Israel’s National Team U-16
Career Highlights: Reached the Semi-Final of Israel’s youth cup after defeating Maccabi Haifa.
Misc: This is Yonatan’s debut season with Aviv City and he quickly became one of Aviv City’s most dominant and passionate players.

Ariel Peretz
Age: 27 M
Position: Midfielder
Country of Origin: Israel
Previous Clubs: Beitar Jerusalem Youth team
Career Highlights: Winner of the Olim Cup 2011/12
Misc: This is Ariel’s 3rd season with Aviv City. He played in Beitar Jerusalem’s youth team for more than 8 years. Scored over 12 goals in season 2012/13 and was called out to participate in the Olim All Stars team. Known for his dangerous pitch splitting passes and crosses.

Sagi Meged
Age: 33
Position: Winger
Country of Origin: Israel
Previous Clubs: Hapoel Holon
Career Highlights: Winner of the Olim Cup 2011/12
Misc: Sagi is one of Aviv City’s most dedicated players. This is his 4th season with the team.

Ari Kohn
Age: 31
Position: Defender
Country of Origin: USA
Previous Clubs: Bowie & Laurel National Capital Soccer Leagues. University of Pennsylvania Soccer Club.
Career Highlights: Quarter finals in Club State Cup, 1997, Participant in Gothia Cup, 1999. High School State Tournament Semi-Finalist, 2000.
Hyde Park All-Star, London, 2004. University of Maryland Indoor Pick-up All-Star, 2005-2006.
Misc: Ari has played in almost all of Aviv City’s games since 2010 and is one of the teams most dependable defenders.

Eli Edri
Age: 36
Position: Defender
Country of Origin: Israel
Previous Clubs:
Career Highlights:
Misc: Eli’s 3rd season with Aviv City. Big and strong defender that can also play as a superb goalkeeper when needed.

Naor Lisha
Age: 27
Position: Midfieldr
Country of Origin: Israel
Previous Clubs
Career Highlights
Misc: 4th season with Aviv City. Scored some of the club’s most crucial goals including in the Cup Final of 2011/12.

Rob Bradman
Age: 39
Position: Goalkeeper
Country of Origin: UK
Previous Clubs: JC Milan