Paris, France – Israel’s national football team will confront France in the Nations League on Thursday, with another high-stakes match against Belgium scheduled for Sunday.
These games conclude Israel’s Nations League A Group 2 campaign, where Ran Ben Shimon’s squad is still seeking its first points against some of the world’s top teams.
The Israeli team enters the Stade de France in Saint-Denis under a tense atmosphere. Following recent violent attacks on Maccabi Tel Aviv fans in Amsterdam after their Europa League match against Ajax, French authorities have heightened security measures.
In a rare advisory, Israel’s National Security Council has urged Israeli fans to avoid attending the games due to threats of potential copycat attacks not only in France but also in Belgium and major British cities.
A visibly somber Ben Shimon addressed the impact of the Amsterdam attack on his team’s mindset and security concerns.
“The horrifying events in Amsterdam were unimaginable,” Ben Shimon commented, adding, “These were very difficult moments to witness, and, like everything else we have experienced over the past year, nothing surprises me anymore. We are a strong nation, and we will overcome it.”
Despite this somber atmosphere, the coach expressed confidence in the precautions surrounding the team. “Even traveling to France, I feel quite safe,” he said.
“We are always accompanied by large security forces, and they are amazing people. Right now, I’m more concerned about France’s attack on the pitch than anything that might happen off it.”
Security has become a central focus for this Nations League match, with extra police deployed in Paris and around the Stade de France to safeguard both players and supporters.
The heightened security comes as a precautionary response to the Amsterdam assault, which escalated tensions surrounding Israel’s international sporting engagements.
Ben Shimon acknowledged the dilemma for fans who had planned to support the team in person. “One of the most amazing aspects of the Israel National Team is our incredible supporters,” he remarked.
However, he urged caution, underscoring that “this is about human life, and every instruction from the National Security Council or other agencies should be followed.”
Still, Ben Shimon conveyed pride in Israeli fans, recalling their spirited presence at the Paris Olympics this past summer, where they made a strong showing among the local Jewish community.
“I saw the large Jewish community and Israeli supporters. It truly warmed my heart. But the most important thing is fan safety,” he emphasized.
As the team prepares to face France, Ben Shimon’s squad is determined to leave its mark on the Nations League. Although Israel has struggled against elite teams, the players aim to finish the tournament on a positive note, with both a competitive and symbolic resolve.
Israel’s encounter with France takes place under a global spotlight, with the team carrying both the hope of the fans and the weight of recent traumatic events.
The squad’s resilience and solidarity, along with the support of vigilant security measures, will be crucial as Israel takes on these challenging matches.
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