As we all get ready to will Australia to victory against Ghana tomorrow night, 

Following the unlikely victory of Portsmouth against Tottenham in the semi final of the FA Cup after a dismal season - “a season of hell ending in heaven” - David Horowitz editor of the Jerusalem Post, wrote an excellent piece about the Portsmouth manager and Israeli,  Avram Grant. 

We will remember how Grant was a surprise choice as manager of Chelsea, some years back.   Despite being put under massive pressure from the press and Chelsea fans,  Chelsea did well, only to stumble at the last moment. 

But now, Grant is the the hero in England for guiding struggling Portsmouth to the FA Cup Final… 

David Horowitz nicely weaves Grant’s experiences with that of Israel. As Horowitz writes “In our 63rd year, we deserve to have our qualities more widely appreciated. And we don’t just deserve, but rather require, more practical support. The unfairly maligned, belatedly appreciated and dignified Avram Grant has been leading an embattled soccer club, seeking success on the field of play. We are an embattled nation, seeking survival.

But as the Grant saga exemplifies, the capacity to act honorably is not enough to reverse misperceptions. The ability to show resilience is not sufficient to woo new friends and regain old ones. In a world that is superficial, unfair, quick to oversimplify, misjudge, distort and misassign blame, what you have to do, ultimately, is to act honorably, to show resilience… and to win.”  

Portsmouth 2  Tottenham 0  here for the last few minutes of the game, and here for the goals.  In the final, Avram Grant and the jubilant Portsmouth fans (hear them shout for Avram!) will be up against Grant’s old club, Chelsea.

Onward and upward also for Israel as we celebrate Yom Haatzmaut.

The last few days have been very sad ones in the Australian general and Jewish soccer world, since the tragic death of Ian (Iggy) Gray. 

Iggy starred at all levels of Australian soccer, including in the national team.  Here are summaries of his career here and here.

After retiring from this top level, he played a major role stimulating young and not-so-young players at Maccabi in Sydney to strive for their best… including to represent Australia in Maccabiah competitions in Israel. 

Among the many words used to describe him were ..  integrity, dedication to soccer, fitness and fair play, loyalty to his friends, highly developed sense of community, humour, leadership qualities, one of the best,  that one would be proud to have had the privilege of knowing.

Best wishes and condolences to his family and the many friends he inspired on and off the field.

The Maccabiah competition is an exciting time for Jewish athletes from all over the world…the games… the opening ceremony in Ramat Gan stadium in Australian colours or whichever country one represents… the opportunity to meet people from other countries. We particularly wish the Australians success.

The win of the Israeli Davis Cup team 3-0 over Russia to take it into the Semi Finals for the first time must make it even sweeter (and hotter?) to be in Israel at the moment.  

Andy Ram and Yoni Erlich are shown winning a point in an exciting five-setter against Marat Safin and Igor Kunitsyn (AP), and then celebrating their win that clinched the victory. (from Davis Cup site)

Here is an article from the Davis Cup site about the win.  Some may remember Andy Ram and Yoni Erlich’s win at the 2008 Australian Open.. (here is a video spotlight about them.  The historic Davis Cup victory was set up by earlier singles wins by Harel Levy and Dudi Sela. 

Although this following amateur video is from Sela’s win over Fernando Gonzalez of Chile in the 2007 Davis Cup, it really makes you feel part of the Israeli crowd complete with Sheket and Lashevet (be quiet and sit down) - see  here.

How has Israel done so well for its small size and population?  An article in Wickipedia describes how tennis was popularised in Israel, with excellent tennis programs for Israeli children.