Nir Davidovich


Nir Davidovich is an Israeli former professional footballer who played as a goalkeeper. His honours are 7 championships, 2 Israeli cups, 3 Toto Cups, 1 MVP of the season.
At club level, Davidovich spent his whole career in Maccabi [Haifa F.C.|Maccabi Haifa]. He suffered from 3 serious injuries, but managed to recover and lead the team to its 8th championship, winning the MVP title in 2004. He is considered a "symbol" of the club along with the veteran captain Yaniv Katan. Many talk about him as the successor of legendary goalkeeper Avi Ran, a Maccabi Haifa prodigy who died in a diving accident.
At international level, he was the number one goalkeeper in the Israel national team for a time.

Early life

Davidovich was born in Haifa, Israel, to a Jewish family. His father is footballer Benjamin Davidovich.

Football career

  • Played in each age-class youth national team of Israel.
  • 1995: Promoted to senior team of Maccabi Haifa.
  • 1996: Gave outstanding performance when Maccabi Haifa kept a 0–0 against Hapoel [Petah Tikva F.C.|Hapoel Petah Tikva] after 3 "greens" were sent off.
  • 1997: Overcame veteran goalkeeper Bonni Ginzburg to become MHFC senior goalkeeper.
  • 1998: First international appearance at Israel 4–0 victory over Turkey.
  • 1998: Wins the Israeli cup after 2–0 victory over Hapoel Jerusalem.
  • 1998: Excels in 1–1 draw against French top football club Paris Saint-Germain.
  • 1999: Injured seriously in the crotch and missed the entire season.
  • 2000–2001: Won the championship with Maccabi Haifa, conceding only 28 goals.
  • 2001: Injured in his knee in the match versus Spain, where he kept the Israeli goal clean until he was replaced in half-time.
  • 2002: Missed most of the season because of his knee injury.
  • 2003: Recovered from knee injury and played the final matches in the league.
  • 2003: Excelled in MHFC 0:0 draw against Valencia. After his performance he received grades of 10 in the Israeli press and was dubbed "The Octopus" by the Spanish press.
  • 2003–2004: Won the championship with Maccabi Haifa and chosen by player, press and coaches as the MVP of the season.
  • 2004: saves a penalty kick as Israel beat Cyprus 2–1 in a 2006 [FIFA World Cup] qualifier.
  • 2009: On 19 April Davidovich made his 300th league appearance in Maccabi Haifa.
  • 2009: First time in the UEFA Champions League with Maccabi Haifa.
  • 2010: Davidovich and Maccabi Haifa conceded only 16 goals in 35 league games, breaking the national record of lowest average goals per games.
  • 2013: Nir Davidovich retired from football as a player. Throughout his career he played in Maccabi Haifa F.C., 18 years of the Club Concierge.

Honours

Club

;Maccabi Haifa
Israeli Premier League :
Israel State Cup :
Toto Cup Top Division :

Individual

;Maccabi Haifa