Category: News
A numbers game: Maccabi’s first game of the new year
In May 1949, the year after the State of Israel was proclaimed, Maccabi Tel Aviv and 12 other clubs played in the Israeli top-flight. Maccabi featured in all 72 seasons since, while Maccabi Bnei Reineh is the 47th club to have played in Israel’s top-flight.
Bnei Reineh’s maiden match in the top-flight was against Maccabi at Bloomfield on the opening day of the 2022/23 season. Maccabi won that game 5-0 as well as the corresponding fixture 2-0 at Greene stadium in Nof Hagalil.
Maccabi’s league record on the first fixture of the Jewish calendar (74 matches) is 35 victories, 20 draws and 19 defeats.
Maccabi Haifa are the club Maccabi opened the Jewish calendar against most – 9 times.
Maccabi’s highest victory registered as the first fixture of the Jewish calendar is a 9-1 win over Maccabi Rishon Lezion in the 1951/52 season. Yosef ‘Yosale’ Merimovich scored six goals and his holds the record for the number of goals scored in the first fixture of the Jewish calendar.
The biggest attendance recorded at such a fixture was 24,829 during the 0-0 draw against Hapoel Hadera on the 2019/20 season.
Yurki Shukanov scored the earliest goals after only 30 seconds against Maccabi Netanya in the 1994/95 season.
Nothing I like more: Macon’s selections
Heading it: Maccabi’s greatest headers
‘Talking Maccabi’ with Mansford and van Overeem
The 2023/24 season got underway this evening (Wednesday) as we held the first ‘Talking Maccabi’ event for 100 FOREVER members. The first event of the season gave the fans a chance to meet Maccabi’s CEO, Ben Mansford, and midfielder Joris van Overeem.
Those who attended enjoyed a Q & A session to the panel that used the opportunity to raise a toast ahead of the New Year. Here is a taster from a fascinating night:
Maccabi’s players visited the Shamir medical center
The Maccabi Tel Aviv FC Foundation continued its’ long tradition of visiting hospitalized kids at the Shamir Medical Center (Assaf Harofeh) ahead of Rosh Hashana.
Five first team players: Eran Zahavi, Idan Nachmias, Nir Bitton, Daniel Tenenbaum and Osher Davida arrived this morning (Tuesday) at the hospital where they visited children in the various wards.
The players spoke with the children, had their photos taken and handed them gifts on behalf of the club.
“Our aim is to put a smile on the faces of all the children who are here” Maccabi’s central defender, Nir Bitton, said. “On our day to day we spend time chasing trivial things compared to what they have here which puts things in perspective. One can really understand the important things in life. As far as we are concerned, if we manage to put a smile on a child’s face – it is worth the world to us” he added.
“As athletes and people that kids look up to in admiration, our decision has some weight and influence. We must set an example, and this is the least we could do to contribute. There are five of us here now, but we represent the entire club and the Maccabi foundation that do a lot in the community. We are here to do our share and wish everyone involved a happy and healthy new year”.
Around 2,500 food packages were delivered for Rosh Hashana
The ‘Good deeds in Yellow’ project led by the Maccabi Tel Aviv FC Foundation together with Ahim Lasemel set a new record this year. Thanks to the massive donations generated by the Maccabi Tel Aviv family a staggering number of 2,500 food packages were delivered to those in need ahead of Rosh Hashana. To continue the tradition which began last year, this year as well the event was dedicated to the memory of Klil Kimchi, a fan who tragically lost his life at the sink hole disaster at Karmei Yossef.
Thanks to your massive support a fee of more than NIS 620,000 was collected and were used to purchase food products. Thr products were packaged and delivered to families in need who could now celebrate the holiday respectfully.
Last Friday another record was set as Bloomfield stadium hosted the food packaging event which was attended by 1400 volunteers as Maccabi’s CEO, Ben Mansford, first team players Enric Saborit, Sheran Yeini, Idan Nachmias, Daniel Tenenbaum, Eyal Golasa and new signing Avishai Cohen. The Club’s sponsors: Pizza Prego, CARGO, and Mey Eden also contributed to the good cause and success of the event.
Club Owner, Mitch Goldhar, related to the successful campaign and sent the following message:
Dan Glazer joins OFI Crete
Dan Glazer, joined OFE Crete after an agreement was reached between Maccabi Tel Aviv FC and the Greek club for the transfer of the 26-year-old midfielder.
Glazer, a product of Maccabi’s Youth Academy joined the club at the age of six. After emerging through the ranks, Glazer made his senior Maccabi debut in 2014. Glazer, spent time on loan with Beitar Tel Aviv Ramle and Maccabi Netanya before returning to Maccabi in the summer of 2018.
Glazer made 202 appearances in all competitions wearing the Yellow and Blue jersey winning 2 league titles (18/19 and 19/20), 1 State Cups (20/21), 2 Toto Cups (18/19 and 20/21) and 2 Super Cups (19/20 and 20/21).
Everyone at Maccabi would like to say thank you Dan and all the very best for the future.
A European group stage and a derby: Maccabi’s month
After the ONE ZERO League 3-0 victory away to Hapoel Hadera, the first international break of the 2023/24 campaign takes center stage. Ofir Davidzada, Dor Peretz, Gabi Kanichowsky, Roy Revivo and Dor Turgeman were all called up for Israel’s national team squad that faces Romania (9.8) and Belarus (12.9) in the EURO qualifying campaign. Milson was also called up to the Angola national team that hosts Madagascar (7.9) at the Tundavala national stadium for the Group E’ African Cup of Nations qualifying campaign.
September 17th Maccabi Tel Aviv vs Maccabi Bnei Reineh (Bloomfield, 19:45)
Maccai return to league action just after Rosh Hashana as they host Bnei Reineh on MD3. Last season Maccabi hosted Reineh on MD1 for what was their maiden season in the top flight winning the match 5-0.
September 21st Maccabi Tel Aviv vs Breidablik (Bloomfield, 22:00)
After a successful qualifying campaign, Maccabi host the first Conference League match against Breudablik that became the first Icelandic side to have reached the European group stages. Wish to be part of the experience? The sales of the packages consisting of the 3 home matches against Breidablik (17.9), Zorya Luhansk (26.10) and KAA Gent (14.12) is already underway!
September 26th Hapoel Tel Aviv vs Maccabi Tel Aviv (Bloomfield, 20:30)
The first Tel Aviv derby of the 2023/24 is only three weeks away as MD4 will see the arch city rivals host the match which will be Maccabi’s 3rd of 4 successive matches at Bloomfield. Last season two derbies took places with Maccabi winning the first one 3-0 and were held to a 0-0 draw on the second.
September 30th Maccabi Tel Aviv vs Hapoel Petah Tikva (Bloomfield, 17:45)
The second part of the busy September schedule will end with a home match against newly promoted side Hapoel Petah Tikva on MD5. The relatively early kickoff time on the Saturday is expected to suit the families amongst you so you better prepare in advance and book that date in your diaries.
Orlando Mosquera joins Maccabi
Orlando Mosquera (191cm) completed his transfer from Monagas SC, after successfully completing his medical and signing at Maccabi initially until the end of the 2023/24 season.
Mosquera, who has 17 international appearances in Panama’s goal and helped his country reach the Final of the 2023 Concacaf Gold Cup against Mexico, received the number 22 jersey at Maccabi.
Born in Panama City, Mosquera, began his playing career at Sporting San Miguelito and during five seasons at the club (2012-2017) won the Panamanian Clausura championship(12/13). He then switched to Tauro FC where he won another Clausura Championship (16/17) and 2 Apertura championships (17/18 and 18/19) keeping 24 clean sheets and conceding only 44 goals in 53 appearances between 2017-2020.
Mosquera joined Boluspor where he and made 32 appearances for the second division Turkish side. The Panamanian keeper moved to Bolivian club Always Ready before switching to Venezuela, where he played at Carabobo FC and Monagas FC.
