Nadav Zamir did not try to hide it: a summer move to Maccabi Netanya that never materialized still stings. Speaking after Hapoel Jerusalem's season-opening Toto Cup defeat to the very club he was linked with, the goalkeeper told reporters, as quoted by ONE, that the collapsed transfer was a source of real frustration even as he threw his weight fully behind his current employers.
"It's clearly disappointing that the move didn't happen, but Hapoel Jerusalem is one of the best clubs in the country," Zamir said, according to ONE, which did not detail why the switch fell through. "It's an honor to be here, and I hope both I and the team have a better season than last year."
The comments came hours after Maccabi Netanya beat Hapoel Jerusalem 3-1 at Netanya Stadium on Saturday evening, in the opening round of Group B in the Toto Cup, the pre-season tournament that serves as the traditional curtain-raiser for Ligat Ha'al clubs ahead of the league campaign.
Bassam Zarour put the hosts ahead in the tenth minute and Oz Biloo doubled the lead midway through the first half, before Israel Dafna pulled one back for Jerusalem. Netanya sealed the win late on through 15-year-old Yirin Abuhatzira, who scored on his senior debut, according to Walla Sport.
Zamir, who was between the posts for the defeat, was candid about his own role in it. "I can't say we played poorly, but we made too many mistakes, including myself, and ultimately that cost us goals," he said, per ONE's report.
Head coach Lior Zada was equally blunt in his own assessment, saying his side "handed out too many gifts" in the first half and "didn't enter the match well, giving Netanya what they excel at." He added that the team "conceded again and again" and has "many things to improve" defensively before the league campaign begins.
Zada, who took interim charge in April after Ziv Arie's departure and was confirmed as full-time coach for 2026-27 having steered Hapoel Jerusalem to safety in the closing rounds last season, said reinforcements are still needed. "We still lack players in midfield and attack; we have plans to sign players and will strengthen with three or four more," he said. "It's a difficult summer, but we're patient, and I'm genuinely optimistic about this season."
Zamir, 25, has been Hapoel Jerusalem's first-choice goalkeeper since joining from Ironi Kiryat Shmona in 2023, and any interest from Maccabi Netanya would have represented a return to Ligat Ha'al rivals rather than a step up, since both clubs play in the top flight this coming season. For now, though, he remains part of a squad still being reshaped for a campaign that begins in earnest next month.
