Klemi Saban
A rock-solid defender who anchored Maccabi Netanya for six years, leading them as captain and making over 200 appearances.
Born 1980 (age 46)·Israeli footballer·Birthday: February 17·Generation X
Biography
Klemi Saban carved out a reputation as a dependable and tough central defender in Israeli football. Born in 1980, his career was defined by a long and loyal stint at Maccabi Netanya, where he arrived in 2004. For six seasons, Saban was the defensive backbone of the team, eventually earning the captain's armband and becoming a fan favorite for his no-nonsense style and commitment. His tenure at Netanya saw him rack up a remarkable tally of over 200 caps across all competitions, a testament to his consistency and durability. While he had spells at other clubs like Maccabi Tel Aviv and Hapoel Tel Aviv, his heart and legacy remain firmly tied to the yellow-and-blue of Netanya, where he retired as a club stalwart.
Generation X
1965–1980
The latchkey kids. Raised during divorce, recession, and the end of the Cold War. Skeptical, self-reliant, media-literate. They invented indie culture, grunge, and the early internet — then watched the Boomers take credit.
Klemi was born in 1980, placing them squarely in the Generation X. The events that shaped this generation — economic uncertainty, the end of the Cold War, and the rise of personal computing — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Klemi Was Born
The biggest hits of 1980
#1 Movie
The Empire Strikes Back
Best Picture
Ordinary People
#1 TV Show
Dallas
Klemi's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1980Born
John Lennon shot and killed in New York
Gas: $1.19/galHome: $47,200Min wage: $3.10/hrPresident: Jimmy Carter"Call Me" — BlondieBest Picture: Ordinary People
1985Started school
Live Aid concerts raise money for Ethiopian famine
Gas: $1.12/galHome: $62,900Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Careless Whisper" — Wham!Best Picture: Out of Africa
1993Became a teenager
European Union officially established
Gas: $1.11/galHome: $86,600Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"I Will Always Love You" — Whitney HoustonBest Picture: Schindler's List
1996Could drive
Dolly the sheep cloned
Gas: $1.23/galHome: $99,700Min wage: $4.75/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Macarena" — Los del RioBest Picture: The English Patient
1998Could vote
Google founded; Clinton impeachment
Gas: $1.06/galHome: $107,300Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Too Close" — NextBest Picture: Shakespeare in Love
2001Turned 21
September 11 attacks transform the world
Gas: $1.46/galHome: $126,400Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Hanging by a Moment" — LifehouseBest Picture: A Beautiful Mind
2010Turned 30
Deepwater Horizon oil spill; iPad launched
Gas: $2.79/galHome: $147,800Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Tik Tok" — KeshaBest Picture: The King's Speech
2020Turned 40
COVID-19 pandemic shuts down the world
Gas: $2.17/galHome: $248,800Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"Blinding Lights" — The WeekndBest Picture: Nomadland
2026Age 46 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Made over 200 appearances for Maccabi Netanya across all competitions during his six-year tenure.
- Served as captain of Maccabi Netanya, leading the team's defense for multiple seasons.
- Played a key defensive role for the Israeli national team, earning several international caps.
Did You Know?
His full name is Klemens Saban, but he is universally known as Klemi.
He is of Croatian-Jewish descent.
After retiring, he has worked as a football agent and in youth coaching.
“My role is to be a wall, to organize and to fight for every ball.”
