Landesberg lauds his dream team
FOOTBALL Andy Landesberg believes the Team Maccabi GB Men’s Open Football team got what they deserved after they struck gold on the final day of competition in Budapest.
Having stormed through the group stages with comfortable victories over Sweden, Spain, Switzerland and Belgium, MGB saved their best for last as they beat France 2-1 in the final.
Adam Burchell, one of their players of the tournament, missed a first-half penalty but he made amends with a stunning second-half volley to put MGB in front.
France equalised a minute later but Austin Lipman won it for GB in the closing stages, with a curling shot which nestled into the bottom corner.
MGB boss Landesberg said: “The boys trained so hard and so well for this competition, and it showed today.
“They also showed great discipline in the final. The pre-match message was to stay disciplined and never once did they engage in what was going on on the field, and it was clear that France wanted us to.”
Praising GB’s opponents, Landesberg said: “France are a very decent side. They’re very strong and hadn’t lost an international Maccabi game in 90 minutes for six years. They’re not used to losing. They played a 4-23-1 formation which meant we had to break through two defensive lines which we didn’t do very often.
“This game was difficult for so many reasons but we kept our heads and there was nothing France could do. Today, we showed an extra quality that was very special.
“We’ve had an unbelievable journey, with 18 incredible players who have committed 100 per cent. But, for me, the real special part of this trip was the team off the park — doctor, physios and video analysts who have been working 18 to 20 hours a day to help prepare things for us.
“It’s been great, an incredible competition playing five games in eight days. Everyone has played a part and we go forward with another focus two years away at the Maccabiah Games to finish the job I started. We came as a team and we go home as a family.”
GB: David Myers, Jake Rinsler, Nick Landesberg, Tom Smith, Adam Lipman, Jack Mattey, Mitch Hahn (capt), Austin Lipman, Liron Mannie, Adam Burchell, Adam Bolle. Subs: Reuben Rabstein, Lee Goldberg, Adam Arnold, Ethan Mooney, Dan Creese, Nathan Schindler, Max Kyte