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Danny Caro

GB boys maintain winning start

By Danny Caro in Netanya, July 14, 2009

Open rugby: Team GB 19 South Africa 10

Team GB completed back-to-back wins with a deserved 19-10 victory over highly-fancied South Africa at the Wingate Institute in Netanya on Tuesday evening at Day Three of the Maccabiah Games.

Captained by Aaron Liffchak, they booked their place in the semi-finals with another powerful display with London Welsh youngster Sam Katz recording another 11-point haul.

GB Masters reach Futsal semis

By Danny Caro, July 14, 2009

Masters Over 35
GB 2
Mexico 1

Team GB’s Over 35 futsal booked their place in the semi-finals after claiming back-to-back wins in their group.

Two goals from Marc Magid helped them come from behind to beat Mexico. GB keeper Phil Caplin was in top form, producing a string of brave and agile saves.

Delighted GB boss Dan Collins said: "Mexico were a lot better than I'd expected. They made it hard for us but our fitness came through in the end.

"Credit to Marc Magid who did it when it counted."

Cyclists claim first medal for GB

By Danny Caro, July 14, 2009

The cycling squad claimed Team GB’s first medal of the 18th Maccabiah Games after Danny Ackerman, Clifford Baker, Michael Bibring, Neil Lerner and Maish Weinstein secured silver in the time trials.

They beat teams from the USA, Australia, Canada, Mexico, Russia, Columbia and Venezuela in temperatures high into the 90s.

Team captain Clifford Baker said: "We had said it was anyone's race but we are delighted to have won a silver medal- the first Team GB has ever won in cycling. We showed spirit and tenacity cycling in temperatures which to be fair were well out of our comfort zone."

Postcard from Lod

By Danny Caro, July 14, 2009

Do not enter. That is the sign I was expecting to see after hearing some unfavourable reports about Lod – the venue for Team GB’s Open Cricket match against South Africa.

The drugs capital of Israel, as described by my driver Ami, who reminds me of Mr T, is somewhere one should try to avoid. Ami is no weakling. He regularly lifts heavy weights and is built like a brickhouse. He has given me plenty of sound advice since I arrived to cover the Maccabiah, so when he talks, I listen.

The fact that he was less than enthusiastic about taking me there said everything I needed to know.

Comment

Maccabiah: Let the games begin

By Danny Caro in Ramat Gan, July 14, 2009

The evening skies of Ramat Gan were lit up by fireworks as the 18th Maccabiah Games Chai were officially opened at the National Stadium.

The 50,000 stadium was far from capacity but in the region of 8,000 competitors and officials made this the biggest ever Jewish Olympics.

It was all a far cry from the first Maccabiah in 1932. With Israel President Mr. Shimon Peres, and the PM, Mr. Benjamin Netanyahu, guests of honour, the two-hour spectacle opened with 200 illuminated bicyles entering the stadium.

Maccabiah: Open football Team GB v Argentina

By Danny Caro, July 13, 2009

Team GB were forced to settle for a point in their opening group game against Argentina on Monday morning in Haifa.
Photos by David Katz in Israel.

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Hakim helps GB make their point

By Danny Caro in Haifa, July 13, 2009

Open football: Team GB 1 Argentina 1

Team GB were forced to settle for a point in their opening group game against Argentina on Monday morning in Haifa.

A strike early in the second half from Paul Hakim was cancelled out by a 67th minute equaliser after the GB defence momentarily switched off.

Argentina looked the better team early on. They created a couple of chances with Guy Morris coming to GB’s rescue after some sloppy defending.

The South Americans were quick, skilful and physical, imposing themselves on the Brits in an early morning kick off at Ketzef Central.

Maccabiah: Masters Over 35 futsal Team GB v Mexico

By Danny Caro, July 13, 2009

Two goals from Marc Magid helped GB come from behind to win 2-1
Photos from David Katz in Israel.

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Maccabiah Ladies Open football - Team GB vs Australia

By Danny Caro, July 13, 2009

GB left their shooting boots at home as they were narrowly beaten by Australia in their opening game in Haifa.
Photos by David Katz in Israel.

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Magic man Magid mauls Mexico

By Danny Caro, July 13, 2009

Masters Over 45 Futsal
Team GB 2 Mexico 1

Two goals from Mancunian Marc Magid helped Team GB come from behind to claim a first match win over Mexico at Zisman Hall in Ramat Gan.

Dan Collins' troops fell behind through a well-taken goal in the first quarter.

GB keeper Phil Caplin kept the team in the game with a string of brave and agile saves.

Magid was in the right place at the right time to draw GB level towards the end of the first half.

The half finished with Gideon Barnett shown a yellow card following an altercation with a Mexican who was also cautioned.

GB caught by Aussie sucker punch

By Danny Caro in Haifa, July 13, 2009

Ladies Open Football
Team GB 0 Australia 1

Team GB's Ladies Open football's medal hopes were dealt a blow as they were beaten 1-0 by Australia at Ketsef Central in Haifa on Monday morning.

Having dominated the match for spells and hit the woodwork twice, GB came unstuck by a well-worked Australian goal midway through the second half.

GB settled first with striker Chelsea Berlin a constant threat. Her shoot-on-sight policy kept the Aussie keeper on her toes.

Katz gives GB a flying start

By Danny Caro in Netanya, July 13, 2009

Team GB 16 Australia 6

Fly-half Sam Katz enjoyed a dream debut with an 11-point haul steering Team GB to an opening day win over Australia at the Wingate Institute in Netanya.

The London Welsh teenager kicked three penalties and a conversion as GB made the perfect start in the Ashes clash.

A cagey first half saw Australia take the lead with a penalty which came after two missed efforts. They held their lead until the break.

GB raced out of the blocks in the second half, picking up the tempo and taking the game to the gold and green.

Let the games begin

By Danny Caro, July 13, 2009

So the big day is finally upon us. The 18th Maccabiah Games Chai started today, although some competitors find it strange that the Opening Ceremony takes place 24 hours later.

My whistlestop tour included a one-hour shlep up to Haifa to see the GB Open Ladies Football play Australia. There is nothing better than a bit of competitive banter although Tanya Willman was not best pleased when one of the parents of an Australian player told her to "go home you dirty girl." Whatever happened to Maccabiah spirit?

Comment

Israel makes Davis Cup history

By Danny Caro in Tel Aviv, July 13, 2009

History was made on Saturday afternoon as Israel reached the Davis Cup semi-finals for the first time after Andy Ram and Jonathan Erlich won a five-set thriller in the doubles to cement victory over Russia at the Nokia Arena.

With Harel Levy and Dudi Sela having won their respective singles' rubbers on Friday, it was left to Ram and Erlich, playing together for the first time in months, to seal a victory to give Israel an unassailable 3-0 lead.

Maccabiah fever

By Danny Caro, July 10, 2009

Can anyone tell me if four hours, five minutes from Heathrow to Ben Gurion Airport is a world record? That is how long it took my El Al flight to take me to the Promise Land ahead of the Maccabiah Games.

The airport was rocking with Maccabiah fever but with no time for jet-lag, I continued my journey with a cab ride to the Wingate Institute in Netanya to interview World Cup winner Sir Bobby Charlton.

It’s not every day one interviews a legend and credit to the Manchester United man who braved scorching temperatures to stand and deliver hundreds of autographs to the local kids.

Comment

Sir Bobby Charlton's hot on Israel

By Danny Caro in Netanya, July 10, 2009

Sir Bobby Charlton has spoken of his affinity to Israel ahead of the start of the Maccabiah Games.

Speaking to me at the British Council’s Football for Peace project in Netanya, the World Cup winner coached a group of Israel and Arab youngsters at the Wingate Institute before presenting the boys and girls with Manchester United training tops.

Sir Bobby said: “Whenever I get the opportunity to come to Israel I know I’ll be well received and will meet people who probably know more about the game than me.”

Traub keeps MAL on course for title No. 2

By Danny Caro, July 9, 2009

MAL consolidated their position at the top of the Maccabi Sunday League, with a three-wicket against Belmont & Edgware.

Lively spells from Yoav Lebens and Tony Wise accounted for Alex Ziff and Simon Durban. Daniel Geey joined Warren Averbuch with the score on 16-2, and set about a rebuilding job.

Geey (33) was removed by left-arm spinner Grant Traub but several overs of carnage from master blaster Richie Weinburg kept BECC in the game. His innings of 62 came from only 27 balls, featuring five sixes and four boundaries.

I’ll still have something to write home about

By Danny Caro, July 9, 2009

Excitement and anticipation are what Maccabiah athletes and their families are feeling, and rightly so. However, I am not sharing those emotions as a semi-expected late call-up for the cricket squad never materialised.

Having spent much of the past seven months in the gym and, more recently, in good nick with the bat, I was hopeful, bearing in mind that the squad has been hit by withdrawals and I was part of the squad that won bronze in 2005. But it hasn’t happened so I must now focus on producing medal-winning reporting from Israel.

Seven-time veteran says it’s all in the Game

By Danny Caro, July 9, 2009

The term legend is regularly misused in the world of sport. But in Jewish terms, the evergreen Pete Lazard believes that if the cap fits, he can wear it.

But while the scale of the Games — the third largest sporting event in the world — has reached new heights this year, Lazard believes that it has become a case of quantity rather than quality.

“From the quality, kudos point of view and profile, I think the publicity in Israel is much lower key than it was when I first went,” he said.

£75,000 Yossi is highest-paid Israeli player ever

By Danny Caro, July 9, 2009

National captain Yossi Benayoun has spoken of his delight after becoming the highest paid Israeli sportsman of all time, after committing to Liverpool until 2013.

Benayoun, 29, signed a new contract on Monday, agreeing a two-year extension on top of the two years remaining on his existing deal.

With earnings in the region of £75,000, he surpasses Tal Ben Haim as the highest paid Israeli sportsman. He has become the fourth highest paid earner at Liverpool after Steven Gerrard, Fernando Torres and Jamie Carragher and on par with Daniel Agger and Dirk Kuyt.