Israel Volleyball Team Set for Historic Euro Opening Against Ukraine
The Israeli volleyball team begins its European Championship campaign against Ukraine. 20-year-old standout Shay Liberman shares his journey through recent personal tragedy and rising success in European leagues.
The Israeli men's national volleyball team opens its European Championship campaign tomorrow at 19:00 against Ukraine, and it is impossible not to feel the excitement in the air. How historic is the group stage, which kicks off in Bulgaria—with Finland, Italy, and Romania also hosting? Last year, when the Israeli national team qualified for the tournament, it broke a 54-year drought. True, there were times it participated in the tournament, such as in the summer of 2023, but that only happened because it hosted a group. This time, the achievement is purely athletic.
A Rising Star Shaped by Tragedy and Ambition
One of the players in the talented generation that has emerged in the sport is 20-year-old Shay Liberman, who has experienced a very intense year. He left the Italian club Sonpar, moved to play for the French club Nice to gain playing time, and later transferred to Chaumont. Before the senior championship, he even managed to compete with the Israeli Under-22 national team and with the senior squad in the European League tournament, where the ticket to the 2028 championship was secured. In his personal life, he went through a family tragedy when his father, Sergio, passed away after a battle with cancer.
Even with all the emotional and athletic strain, Liberman maintains a positive and optimistic spirit:
«When the season ended in April, I knew what a busy summer it would be. On the other hand, the part with the national team is the most fun part of the year. I play with people I have known for years, I’ve experienced special things with them, and in the end, they are my best friends.»
How were the preparations? «All the trainings and matches were a great preparation for the European Championship—which is the big thing of the summer, the most important one. There is a lot of excitement, it's just moments away. I remember the championship three years ago in Tel Aviv, the experience. I always wanted to be there, and now we feel we belong there. We deserve to be at the European Championship.»
Moving Forward Through the Court
This time you are advancing through the court rather than hosting. A serious step up.
«Totally. In the end, we are advancing not because of one or two games, but because of a sequence of matches consisting of wins, losses, and madness for two summers. There was building, a plan, so that we would reach this. We succeeded, it's crazy. It happened thanks to our own full effort. Our chemistry has existed for several years, and we feel very ready.»
The top four teams in the group advance to the round of 16. Is it possible? «It's important to arrive with an open mind, where anything can happen. There are games that on paper we must win, but if we don't come with that approach to every game, we won't succeed. We will do everything in the group stage to advance to the round of 16, that is our goal. Our direction is not just to participate, but to strike hard. We are capable of doing it.»
Will you manage to enjoy the moment amidst this history? «I try to enjoy. It's fun for me and I believe it makes me play better. The advantage of the national team is that the players enjoy playing together, our squad is almost the same one that was with us in the qualifiers and the European League, where we won the bronze medal last year.»
Ambitions for the Future in Europe
Following his stint in Nice, Liberman took another professional step up by signing with Chaumont, one of the powerhouse clubs in the French league that consistently competes for titles. «It's a small city, far from everything, but it has crazy history in volleyball. It's a respected team, and I am excited to get there even though this year we won't be in a European competition.»
How do you summarize the season in Nice? «It was very hard because my father, Sergio, passed away at the beginning of it, and at the same time very good. It was the first season that I actually played. Professionally, we could have gone further. We lost in the cup final. Overall, it was an amazing experience.»
Liberman speaks Portuguese, Hebrew, and English, and recently started studying French with a private tutor. «I understand well, hope to grasp the language better this year,» he says. Regarding the future, his dream is clear: «My dream is to stay in Europe, to play as many years as possible, to continue there with everything related to winning titles and enjoying the journey along the way. The biggest dream? To return to play in Italy. I have this personal desire. Now I am focused on Chaumont and hope to give a good season. Excited, but first of all, the European Championship.»
