Yossef Abuksis

Yossef Abuksis was a product of the Hapoel Tel Aviv youth soccer team, playing 10 times for the Israel under-21 team. Yossi left this team in order to pursue opportunities elsewhere. He enjoyed a fruitful tenure at the B'nei Yehuda team, but had a less enjoyable time at Zafririm Holon on loan from Tel Aviv. The Reds finally sold him to Betar Jerusalem at the start of the 1994-95 season. Betar's coach Eli Cohen used him more in the games. Betar had a marvelous team in 1995-96, starring Eli Ohana and Itzhik Zohar, plus the Hungarian duo of Stefan Shaloi and Istvan Pishont. They won the title and Abuksis was finally acknowledged as a star.

The 1996-97 season, however, saw Abuksis come into his own. Betar won another title but this time, Abuksis was the driving force behind the triumph. He was voted "Player of the Year" and was called up to the Israeli national team. Over the coming years, Betar reached the Israel Cup final twice, but suffered many management problems, and lost its status as one of the top teams in the country. Yossi continued toplay for the team but he could not lead the beleaguered team to any titles. Finally, he decided to leave the sinking ship and sign for his home team, Hapoel Tel Aviv.

Hapoel had played a strong season and the team's manager Dror Kashtan decided to strengthen the midfield with Abuksis. Yossi added the necessary grit as Hapoel reached their greatest achievement; Hapoel eliminated Chelsea, Parma, and Lokomotiv Moscow before falling to A.C Milan in the quarterfinals of the 2001-02 UEFA Cup. Abuksis was without a doubt, the best player in Israel's European and domestic campaigns. He scored six goals and made seven assists as Hapoel finished second. As a member of the Israeli National team, Yossi appeared in 33 international games and scored three goals as of September 2003.

In the Israel League, Yossi played for Hapoel Tel Aviv during the 2002-03 season. Although they finished in third place, Hapoel was deep in the championship race all year thanks to Abuksis's fine form. Yossi scored three goals while registering a career high seven assists.

After the 2002-03 season ended, Yossi moved to S.C Ashdod during the off season. During the season he returned to his home club of Hapoel Tel Aviv.

Source: Jews in Sports