The tiny British overseas territory of Gibraltar has dispatched two futsal teams to the 2017 Maccabiah Games, held in Israel.
Futsal, a fast-paced indoor version of football, is a popular game in the Jewish community in Gibraltar, which numbers about 800.
Jo Abergel’s 14-year-old son, Daniel, is the youngest member of the junior team. “We’re a small country and could put together a delegation of just 20,” says Ms Abergel, who was the national director of Maccabi GB before moving to Gibraltar 16 years ago. “But we were in the opening ceremony and hope to put Gibraltar on the map.”
The junior team will play six games; it has already lost 18-1 to Mexico 17-0 to Argentina. “The Mexico team were a lot bigger and stronger than us,” says Daniel. Some of the junior team couldn’t train together before the games as some are studying in the UK. “It’s all about taking part,” adds Ms Abergel.
