Dani Bondarv: Hapoel may be stronger than Volga, but Russian league is better than Israeli one

Israel national team defender Dani Bondarv, signed recently by Volga Nizhniy Novgorod from Hapoel Tel Aviv, commented on his decision to move to the newly promoted Russian club.

«You were born in the Soviet Union. Which citizenship do you hold now?»

«I only have the Israeli citizenship so far, but my new club will try to make a Russian passport for me. As I have understood, it is possible, because I was born in Moscow and my family moved to Israel, when I was three years old.»

«The media wrote that a number of clubs of the Russian Premier Ligue, such as FC Krasnodar, Kuban Krasnodar, Krylia Sovetov Samara and Terek Grozny have been trying to sign you. Why did you prefer Volga?»

«Upon my arrival to Nizhny Novgorod, I immediately realized that the club is really interested in getting me. They feel very serious about the future of the club, so I decided that Volga was an excellent place to start my career in Russia.»

«Hapoel Tel Aviv plays in the Champions League, being one of the leaders of Israeli football. Is Volga a step forward in your career?»

«The most important thing is that the Russian league is much stronger than the Israeli one. Perhaps, Hapoel is stronger than Volga, but I’m eager to play against strong teams, and Russian championship has a lot of them.»

«Have you consulted some of the Israeli players, who now play in Russia, before moving here?»

«Yes, I spoke to my best friend Bibras Natkho, who plays for Rubin Kazan. We used to live in the same house for three years. He called me every day. It was he who told me that football is much faster and tougher in Russia than in Israel. In short, he spoke highly of the Russian Premier League, so I think I’ve made the right choice.»

«Which is your favorite position on the field?»

«I had to play in all positions except the goalkeeper. I can play either on the right or on the left, and, if necessary, in the central zone. It all depends on the coach, but my favorite position on the field is on the right flank of the defense», said the player in the interview with Volga’s official website.