Ran Ben Shimon Prepares Israel for Albania Vs Israel Friendly
Israel is set for albania vs israel on Wednesday night, with the squad assembling at Shefayim before the trip to Albania. The friendly comes as part of the buildup toward Nations League matches in September, and head coach Ran Ben Shimon is dealing with his own injury recovery while trying to keep the team on schedule.
Shefayim Assembly
The blue-and-white will fly out on Monday after a morning practice at the National Team training headquarters in Shefayim. Members of the squad began assembling there on Sunday, with Daniel Peretz, Oscar Gloukh and Roy Revivo among the players already in.
Manor Solomon and captain Eli Dasa will join the group in Albania, which leaves the staff with a split arrival plan before Wednesday night. That setup puts the final preparations on two tracks: work in Shefayim first, then a full group only once the team reaches Albania.
Ben Shimon's Recovery
Ben Shimon may not travel with the team because of an accident a couple of weeks ago, and he still needs tests that include a head CT scan. He said, “I went through a fairly serious injury. I’m recovering slowly but surely, and I received amazing treatment at Sheba Medical Center,”
He also said, “I don’t know the meaning of the word ‘friendly’, I’m not their friend.” The match is another test before September, and he framed the camp around focus rather than ceremony, saying, “I took this job during a war. We made a decision that we would focus on sport. We try to bring light to dark places.”
Eliel Peretz Joins In
Eliel Peretz said coming into the national team carries a clear weight for him. “There’s no doubt it’s a privilege to come here, represent the national team and wear these colors, to do something positive during such a complicated period,” the Hapoel Beersheba midfielder said.
He added that the season ended with a championship, a detail that gives this call-up a different feel as Israel moves toward the Albania match. Ben Shimon said he could remember a summer national-team camp where everyone was calling to say they wanted to come, and only two or three players were released by him.
For Israel, the immediate job is simple: finish the Monday departure, get the full squad together in Albania, and use Wednesday night as another checkpoint before September. The coach’s availability remains the most unusual variable in a camp otherwise built around a routine friendly.
