European Maccabi Games triumph for Team GB
SPORT Team Maccabi GB successfully defended gold in both the junior Futsal competitions on a thrilling final day in Budapest.
Adam Lustigman described the U18 triumph as sensational after a crushing 7-3 win over hosts Hungary.
Two goals from Harry Caplin plus one apiece from Sammy Garcia, Josh Morris, Raphy Simons, Toby Anthony and Eytan Millan sparked scenes of celebrations.
Joint-manager Lustigman, who led the team with Phil Caplin, said: “We saved our best performance for the final match and peaked at the right time. We had a game-plan to nullify their best players and it worked to perfection, while also taking our chances.
“It has been an incredible Games, both on and off the court. The support from the masses of family and friends has helped us through and we come home with some amazing memories.”
U16 manager Scott Warren described his team’s latest success as an “amazing achievement” as MGB beat South Africa on penalties in a thrilling final.
Trailing 0-1, a last-ditch goal from Oliver Kaye took the game to extra-time. With no further goals, it went to penalties, with Dylan Phillips, Reuben Wapnick, Brandon Roach and
Josh Nathan converting and goalkeeper Dylan Meranda making a crucial save.
Warren said: “GB Futsal is getting stronger year after year. This year proved that, by winning gold in both categories, we are a real force to be reckoned with.”
MGB also won two medals in the Junior Football competitions. Dylan Krikler was the match-winner as the U18s beat Argentina in the final, while a four-goal bonanza from Jasper van Veen steered GB to a 10-0 win over Italy — and silver in U16 event. Further strikes from Jesse Tapnack, Ben Barnett, Dan Misrahi, Josh Ruff, Tyler Gordon and Jonah Rose added the gloss.
Assistant-manager Sammy Kingston said: “We knew it would be a huge task to pick them up after the first game but the desire and courage they’ve shown throughout has been immense.”
Steven Joseph described MGB’s haul of 28 medals in the Tennis competition as “incredible”. Lillian Mould, 17, and Sam Bossem, 17, won both their respective Junior singles and doubles competitions. Bossem, who has an U18 world ranking of 249, paired up with Joe Randall in the doubles, while Mould swept all before her in the Junior girls’ event, pairing up with Natalie Wagner in the doubles.
Max Benaim starred in the Open category, with tennis chairman Joseph describing him as “top-class talent”. He won the Men’s Open singles and teamed up with Ezekiel Kelly to seal the doubles title. Reflecting on a haul of 11 golds, six silver and 11 bronze medals, Joseph said: “We’ve won a record tally and everyone in the squad excelled themselves. Our Juniors and Open players cleaned up, with each winning gold. Joseph described 80-year-old John Barnett as “a legend”. Barnett and Peter Hesz, 71, won gold in the 65+ men’s doubles, despite giving away 15 years to their opponents.
In Swimming, MGB collected an impressive 41 medals. Joint-managers Elisha Kramer and Chloe Jacobs led by example, collecting 12 medals between them. Kramer said:
“It was a great competition in amazing facilities. Chloe and
I are delighted everyone in the squad won a medal, led by Natalie Lustig with 11. As a squad, we gave a ten out of ten performance.”
The British delegation also won a plethora of medals in fencing, golf, squash and table tennis across the age groups.