Elad Madmon celebrated his first goal in European competitions as the 21-year old headed in an important late equaliser at the Alphamega stadium in Limassol to draw 1-1 away to Pafos in the first leg of the Champions League 2nd qualifying round.

Madmon, who was introduced as a mate second half substitute against the Cypriot Champions waited a long time for his goal which couldn’t have come any later.
“I am happy I was able to bring joy to the fans who came from Israel and supported us.”
Madmon, who joined Maccabi in the summer of last year, added: “It’s the best goal I’ve ever scored, period. No need to say more.” Before admitting: “Honestly, the moment is very emotional for me, being able to contribute to the team in such a competition and in such a crucial minute.”

The draw in the first leg keeps Maccabi’s chances of reaching the 3rd qualifying round alive, as Pafos will travel to Backa Topola for next week’s return leg:
“We still haven’t finished the job. We’ll recover from the match, analyze it, see what we can improve, and come more prepared for the next game and try to advance to the next round. I’m happy for the team and that I was able to bring joy to the fans who travelled from Israel, supported us, and showed they’re with us all the way. I hope as many of them as possible come to lift us up in the next game as well.”

Madmon remained confident ahead of the return leg as he summed up: “We are very confident in ourselves. We have an excellent talented team, and I hope we win the next match, God willing.”

Preview:

Yoav Gerafi who made his debut appearance in goal for Maccabi during last week’s Super Cup defeat to Hapoel Be’ersheva at Bloomfield, kept his place in goal. New signing Mohamed Ali Camara who joined Maccabi last week from Swiss side Young Boys, lined up alongside Nemanja Stojic as the two central defenders infront of Gerafi.

Tyrese Asante on the right and Roy Revivo on the left completed Maccabi’s defensive line. Ben Lederman who also joined this summer from Polish side Rakow was named in midfield for his Maccabi debut. Issouf Sissokho partnered Lederman in the midfield engine room while Dor Peretz competed the midfield trio with the captain’s armband.

Weslley Patati on one wing and Osher Davida on the opposite flank supplied the width to Maccabi’s formation. Dor Turgeman who scored 19 goals in all competitions last season, led the li e aiming to open his account for the current campaign.

On the bench Lazetic named goalkeepers Ofek Melika and Roi Mishpati, new Brazilian defender Heitor, Sagiv Jehezkel, Raz Shlomo, Denny Gropper, Elad Madmon, Henry Addo, Noam Ben Harush, Itamar Noy, Ido Shahar, and Ion Nicolaescu.

First Half

Backed by 745 traveling fans Maccabi avoided an early scare in the 4th minute as Joao Correia’s square ball rolled across the face of Yoav Gerafi’s goal as none of the Pafos players was able to get a touch. The hosts continued to dominate the early stages as a last gasp Nemanja Stojic tackle denied Anderson who was sent clear through in the 12th minute.

Three minutes later a poor clearance by Pafos’ goalkeeper Neofytos Michael fell to Weslley Patati who was unmarked down the flank but the Brazilian’s attempt of a low cross couldn’t reach a teammate. Maccabi put their foot down as Dor Peretz found Osher Davida down the right flank in the 18th minute but the winger’s attempt to curl the ball narrowly missed the top corner.

In the 27th minute Ali Camara was cautioned by referee Mykola Balakin for a challenge on Vlad Dragomir just inside Pafos’ half. Right on the half hour mark Patati was also shown the yellow card for a challenge on Bruno. Two minutes later the Brazilian wizard lost his man by a drop of a shoulder, burst forward and clipped the ball towards the far post. But former Maccabi defender Derrick Luckassen managed to clear for a corner before Dor Turgrman could connect.

Ben Lederman and Issouf Sissokho battled hard in midfield to try and dictate the pace of the game. The Mali midfielder picked a loose ball on 39 and slipped it to Patati who fed Peretz. But the captain’s attempt of a snap shot from outside the area sailed high over the crossbar.

On the stroke of halftime Davida stole the ball and fed Patati who slipped in Peretz but with only the keeper to beat couldn’t get enough power on the shot allowing Michael save with two attempts. Inside injury time Asante gave a soft free kick near the corner of the area and was consequently booked before Dragomir tried curling the free kick which crept just wide.

Second Half

Lazetic made a single change after the break as Heitor was handed his Maccabi debut replacing Camara at the restart.

Two minutes in tbe second half Maccabi wasted a chance to open the score as Turgeman opted to pass to Patati inside the box instead of shooting. The Brazilian blasted a left foot shot which rattled the crossbar but his effort wouldn’t have counted as the referee assistant raised his flag for offside.

A pyrotechnics display from the visiting sector caused the game to be stopped until the smoke would clear. Around 10 minutes later when play was resumed a Turgemam attempt of a shot was deflected for a corner. Lazetic made his second change two minutes after the hour mark as Ben Lederman was replaced by Ido Shahar.

Patati who kept battling with his opposite number tried a left foot piledriver that Michael managed to push away on 64.

Three minutes later at the opposite end Gerafi needed a double save to keep out Anderson’s cross come shot which the Maccabi custodian almost spilled into his own goal.

Lazetic made two more changes in the 70th minute as Sagiv Jehezkel replaced Davida while Ion Nicolaescu came on for Turgeman.

Within a minute the referee awarded Maccabi a penalty after Patati went down inside the area. But VAR intervened, called the referee to the screen before the initial decision was overturned.

In the 81st minute however Pafos took the lead in spectacular passion as a shot which came off the head of a Maccabi defender sailed into the air before it was met by Mons Bassouamina whose over head bicycle kick gave Gerafi no chance.

Patati limped off and was replaced by Elad Madmon in the 87th minute as Lazetic added another pair of fresh legs in an attempt to grab an equaliser.

The referee added 10 minutes due to the delay caused by the smoke earlier in the second half and the number of substitutes to both sides.

While Maccabi tried to level the score Pafos looked dangerous on the break as only brave defending by Shahar prevented Pafos from increasing their lead. But right at the death Maccabi were rewarded for their efforts on the night as Revivo floated a perfect chip over the defence of Pafos before Madmon rose high and sent a powerful header to level the score.

Maccabi will kick off its 26th campaign in European competitions, and its 13th season in succession, more than any other Israeli club.
To date Maccabi played 195 matches in European competitions, winning 85 matches, losing 69 with 41 matches ending in a draw. Maccabi’s total goal tally which currently stands on 275 goals scored and 239 conceded.

A total of 231 players represented Maccabi in the various European competitions as Sheran Yeini holds the club’s European appearance record with 84 international matches. While the former captain leads the appearance chart, current captain Dor Peretz shares second place with former defender Eitan Tibi, each with 73 appearances.

Eighty nine different players scored for Maccabi in European competitions as Eran Zahavi is the top scorer with 30 goals to his name.

A day short of a year ago, on July 23^rd 2024, Maccabi kicked off its European campaign with a 1-1 draw against Romanian Champions Steaua Bucharest. This was Maccabi’s only draw in European match away from home last season, out of 14 matches together with 6 victories and 7 defeats.

Maccabi advanced through the first round of entry in Europe 19 times and were eliminated 6 times.

Maccabi’s record in European season-opening matches currently stands on 14 victories, 5 draws, and 6 defeats. The biggest victory in the opening match was a 6-0 win over Lithuanian side Zalgiris Vilnius at the start of the 2001/02 season.

A total of 30 Maccabi players scored in the opening match of a European campaign. Baruch Dego (who scored the only hat-trick by a Maccabi player in an opening match) and Nosa Igiebor hold the record for most goals in a season’s opening match with 3 goals each.

The fastest goal in a European season-opening match was a 3^rd minute goal scored by Andreas Prohorenkovs against Estonian side Levadia Tallinn that Maccabi won 2-0 in the 2002/03 season.

Pafos will be Maccabi’s 92^nd opponent in European competitions, after winning a historic league title in Cyprus last season. This is Pafos’ second season in Europe, having reached the Conference League Round of 16 last year. It will be Pafos’ first encounter with an Israeli club in Europe.

Maccabi played 6 ties against Cypriot opponents. Maccabi were eliminated by APOEL Nicosia in the nd qualifying round of the UEFA Cup 2005/06 (1:0 loss away and 2:2 draw at Bloomfield). Maccabi had two 0:0 draws with APOEL Nicosia during the successful EUROPA League group stage of the 2013/14 season. Maccabi advanced past AEK Larnaca (1-1 away and 1-0 victory at Bloomfield) in the Conference League 3rd qualifying round of the 2023/24 season.

Prior to this season, Maccabi played in 11 Champions League qualifying campaigns. The team advanced to the group stage twice, in the 2004/05 and 2015/16 campaign.

Following a successful partnership during last season, ‘Amy Group’ which owns 15 shopping centers across the country and is owned by businessman Shlomi Nechaisi has decided to strengthen its sponsorship agreement with Maccabi Tel Aviv, the reigning Israeli champions, beginning with the upcoming 2025/2026 season. As part of this expanded partnership, ‘Amy Group’ will become one of the club’s main sponsors.

As a result, the ‘Amy Group’ logo will appear on the upper back of the team’s official match kit as well as on the training kits worn by the players and coaching staff in all League and State Cup matches.

Shlomi Nechaisi, owner and CEO of ‘Amy Group’ stated: “We are proud to continue and further enhance our collaboration. We are delighted to be part of the biggest club in Israel. The partnership with Maccabi Tel Aviv aligns perfectly with ‘Amy Group’s’ expansion strategy and pursuit of excellence. Beyond the business connection, what excites me most is Maccabi’s significant social and community contributions through the Maccabi Tel Aviv Foundation. I am confident that ‘Amy Group’ will become an integral part of all community activities, and together we will achieve many more successes.”

Daniel Levy, VP Trade and Business Development at Maccabi Tel Aviv’s added: “We are very pleased that ‘Amy Group’ has chosen to expand its collaboration with us. It is clear evidence of the Club’s strategy to develop partnerships where there is mutual commercial benefit and equally importantly where there is alignment of our core values. We look forward to working together in the seasons ahead.”

‘Amy Group’ owns 15 shopping centers across Israel, located in Petah Tikva, Netanya, Givat Shmuel, Rishon Lezion, Tel Aviv, Ness Ziona, Hadera, Tirat Carmel, Or Yehuda, and Or Akiva.

Twelve of these centers are boutique shopping malls, while three are large-scale centers: Amy Migdaley Alon Tel Aviv, Amy BSR City Petah Tikva, located along the light rail line, with 27,000 sqm of retail space, 600 parking spaces, and four 30-story office towers above. Y-Center Complex in Netanya, recently acquired in a major deal for approximately NIS 330 million. This center, to be renamed ‘Amy Commercial Centers Netanya Poleg’, includes 24,000 sqm of retail and office space, 1,000 parking spaces, and an additional 15,000 sqm for future development.

The group manages and leases its commercial centers to a wide range of tenants across various sectors. Major tenants includes Super-Pharm, Decathlon, Bank Hapoalim, McDonald’s, Roladin, Aroma, Tiv Taam, Maccabi, Meuhedet & Leumit Healthcare Services, Pizza Hut, Cafe Greg, Golda Ice Cream, Burgerim, Sonol, Nizat HaDuvdevan, HaStock, and Max.

Gabi Kanichowsky will be leaving Maccabi Tel Aviv after four successful seasons in Yellow and Blue, during which he won 5 trophies.

The 27-year-old midfielder a graduate of Maccabi’s Youth Academy returned to the club in the summer 2021 from Maccabi Netanya. Over four seasons at Maccabi, Gabi made 194 appearances in all competitions, scoring 27 goals and providing 46 assists. During this time, he helped the club win 2 League Championships (2023/24 and 2024/25), 2 Toto Cups (2023/24 and 2024/25), and 1 Super Cup (2024/25).

Kanichowsky also featured in European competitions, reaching the Europa League group stage once (2024/25), the Conference League group stage twice (2021/22 and 2023/24), the Round of 32 once, and the Round of 16 once.

Having originally joined Maccabi at the age 16.5 from Hapoel Ra’anana, Kanichowsky scored four goals in 76 appearances for Maccabi Tel Aviv ‘Shahar’ U-19s, including a memorable goal against Dynamo Kiev in the UEFA Youth Champions League. He made his senior debut in October 2015 before going on loan to Hapoel Petah Tikva and Hapoel Acco.

On the international stage, Kanichowsky made 16 appearances and scored one goal for the Israel national team, in addition to another goal in a total of 15 appearances for the U21’s and U19’s teams.

Thank you, Gabi, for everything you have contributed to Maccabi. We wish you the very best in your future endeavors.

Maccabi will face Pafos for the Champions League 3^rd qualifying round at the Alphamega stadium on Tuesday (20:00). Earlier today (Monday), the draw for the Champions Legue and Europa League 3rd qualifying rounds was held at UEFA’s Headquarters in Nyon. The winner of the tie between Maccabi and the Cypriot champions will advance and were drawn to face the winner of Hamrun Spartans (Malta) and Dynamo Kyiv (Ukraine). According to the draw, the Maltese or the Ukrainians are expected to host the first leg, but the final dates and venues will be announced at a later stage. The first leg matches are scheduled for August 5^th and 6^th with the return leg for August 12th.

The draw for the 3rd qualifying round of the Europa League also teamed up the losers of the ties to face each other. As the teams that doesn’t advance to the Champions League 3^rd qualifying round between Maccabi and Pafos, Spartans and Dynamo Kiev will face each other in the Europa League 3^rd qualifying round. First leg matches are scheduled for August 7^th with the return leg played on August 14^th.