01In brief
George Borba is a former Israeli footballer who played for the Israel national team and several Israeli clubs, including Hapoel Tel Aviv. He scored seven goals in 37 national-team appearances and recalled beginning his footballing life in north Tel Aviv with balls made from socks stuffed with straw. His career included domestic championships, Hapoel Tel Aviv's 1967 Asian Club Championship victory, participation in Israel's 1968 Olympic campaign and selection for the 1970 World Cup squad.
02Early Life
Borba was born in a camp in Italy in 1944, the fifth of ten children in a family that had fled Libya late in World War II.[1][2] His family was subsequently transferred to the Bergen-Belsen concentration camp in Germany, where they were liberated by British soldiers.[1] He recalled that his parents named him George after King George VI in gratitude for their liberation.[1] Reflecting on his survival, Borba said: “Since then I live as someone whose life was given to him as a gift.”[1]
At the age of four, Borba immigrated to Israel with his family, initially living in the Be'er Ya'akov transit camp and later in the area of present-day Neve Sharett in north Tel Aviv.[1] He recalled playing football with socks stuffed with straw and using trees as goalposts.[1] His goalscoring brought him to the youth team of Hapoel Tzafon Tel Aviv.[1]
03Career
Eli Fuchs, then coach of Hapoel Jerusalem, saw Borba play and brought him to the club.[1] Borba credited Fuchs with helping him develop as a player.[1] He subsequently joined Hapoel Tel Aviv, where coach David (Dov) Schweitzer gave him a place in the starting lineup and retained him there.[1] His teammates included Shabi Ben-Baruch, brothers Moshe and Danny Borsuk, Shimon Ben-Yehonatan and Haim Nuriye'li.[1]
At Hapoel Tel Aviv, Borba belonged to teams that won two Israeli league championships and the State Cup.[1] He also participated in the club's 1967 Asian Club Championship victory in Tehran and scored 45 goals during his time at the club.[1] After leaving Hapoel Tel Aviv, he played for Hapoel Ramat Gan, Maccabi Netanya and Shimshon Tel Aviv.[1] He helped Maccabi Netanya win the 1974 championship.[1]
Borba made his Israel debut in a friendly against Poland.[1] Four days later, he scored his first international goal with an acrobatic bicycle kick in another friendly, against Romania.[1] He made 37 appearances for Israel and scored seven goals; national-team coach Milovan Ćirić called him a “national asset.”[1]
During a national-team tour of North America, Borba scored in a 3–1 victory over Ontario and twice in a 3–1 victory over a team of American all-stars.[1] He recalled that the latter match took place at the New York Yankees' stadium, which he regarded as one of the most splendid grounds where he had played.[1]
Borba participated in Israel's 1968 Olympic football campaign and was included in the squad for the 1970 World Cup in Mexico, although he did not appear in a match.[1] In his later recollections, he expressed disappointment at remaining on the bench against Uruguay and Sweden after expecting to play.[1]
04Legacy
Borba's club career included championship-winning contributions at both Hapoel Tel Aviv and Maccabi Netanya, alongside his national-team appearances.[1] One tally placed him eighth on Hapoel Tel Aviv's all-time league scoring list, with 45 league goals.[2]
After taking a coaching course, Borba coached clubs outside the top divisions.[1] He later concentrated mainly on children's teams and said that coaching children gave him particular enjoyment.[1][2]
Sources
- 1Maariv, George Borba, an Israel national-team player who did not get to play in the 1970 World Cup, recalls the milestones of his life, accessed on November 11, 2026.
- 2Ynet, Between the Victory of Life and World Cup Regret, accessed on November 11, 2026.
IsraelPedia Question & Answers
Who was George Borba?
George Borba was a former Israeli footballer who played for the Israel national team and several Israeli clubs, including Hapoel Tel Aviv. He scored seven goals in 37 appearances for Israel and took part in the 1968 Olympic football campaign. He was also included in Israel’s squad for the 1970 World Cup, though he did not play in a match.
Where was George Borba born, and how did he come to Israel?
George Borba was born in a camp in Italy in 1944 to a family that had fled Libya late in World War II. His family was later transferred to Bergen-Belsen, where British soldiers liberated them. Borba immigrated to Israel with his family at age four, first living in the Be'er Ya'akov transit camp and later in north Tel Aviv.
Which clubs did George Borba play for, and what did he win?
George Borba played for Hapoel Jerusalem, Hapoel Tel Aviv, Hapoel Ramat Gan, Maccabi Netanya and Shimshon Tel Aviv. With Hapoel Tel Aviv, he won two Israeli league championships and the State Cup, and took part in the club’s 1967 Asian Club Championship victory. He also helped Maccabi Netanya win the 1974 championship.
How did George Borba perform for the Israel national team?
George Borba made 37 appearances for Israel and scored seven goals. He scored his first international goal with an acrobatic bicycle kick in a friendly against Romania, four days after making his debut against Poland. During a tour of North America, he also scored against Ontario and twice against a team of American all-stars.
Did George Borba play in the 1970 World Cup?
George Borba was included in Israel’s squad for the 1970 World Cup in Mexico but did not appear in a match. He later recalled being disappointed to remain on the bench against Uruguay and Sweden after expecting to play.
What did George Borba do after his playing career?
After taking a coaching course, George Borba coached clubs outside the top divisions. He later focused mainly on children’s teams and said that coaching children gave him particular enjoyment.