Shwager, Shai

Yeshayahu Shwager

Sport:
soccer

Country Represented:
Israel

Years Competed:
1968

Olympic Info:
Shwager, a defender, was a member of Israel's soccer team that reached the quarterfinals and finished fifth at the 1968 Mexico City Olympics. He played (and started) in two of Israel's three preliminary games -- in victories over Ghana (5-3) and El Salvador (3-1). He did not play in Israel's final preliminary match, a 2-0 loss to eventual gold medal-winning Hungary. Israel finished in second place in the group, and advanced to the quarterfinals. Shwager started at defense for Israel in the match against Bulgaria, which ended in a 1-1 draw. To determine which team advanced to the semifinals, there was a coin toss, which the Bulgarians won. Bulgaria eventually won the silver medal.

Career Highlights:
Shwager, who was a key member of Israel's National team in the 1960s, played in the Israeli League for Maccabi Haifa. He was a starting defender in the 1970 World Cup, the only time in the country's history that they advanced to the final stage. In their group, Israel lost to Uruguay (2-0), tied Sweden (1-1), and tied Italy (0-0), but did not advance past the preliminary group.

Birth and Death Dates:
b .unknown - d. 2000

Origin:
Israel

< Previous |  Next >