Vladimir Ivic, Maccabi Tel Aviv’s Head Coach spoke about the first leg 3:1 defeat at Sarpsborg in Norway while also looking ahead to next week’s return contest in Israel at the Netanya Stadium:

“It’s not the best result as we lost the first game, the first half but the second game is a week away and we know what we have to do. All of us hope and will give our best to make sure it’s a different story and to advance past this round to the Europa League Group Stages.”

Falling behind early:
“It was very difficult and after a few minutes it was already 2:0. We lost confidence and concentration and we must work to fix this as it’s the first time we didn’t begin the game well. The goals all came on set pieces.”

Missing chances:
“We scored a goal and then we created some chances for a second one before the break but we missed two or three very good chances and the game ended 3:1.

More about the match that was:
“It was a difficult game, pitch and conditions for us as it’s been a lot of time since our players were on a synthetic pitch. We are professional and must adapt as soon as possible to play this type of game depending on the pitch conditions.”

Looking ahead:
“This was just the first half and we all know what we need to do for the next seven days.”

Head Coach Vladimir Ivic’s Starting XI included keeper Predrag Rajkovic, Eli Dasa, Enric Saborit, Eitan Tibi, Jair Amador, Dan Glazer, Dor Micha (C), Ruslan Barsky, Omer Atzily, Aaron Schoenfeld and Vidar Kjartansson.

First Half
The host’s took a quick 1:0 lead in the 2’ as Tobias Heintz scored on a free kick from 30 meters that made its way into the Maccabi goal off the slick artificial turf and the post. Just six minutes later the Norwegian outfit doubled their advantage thanks to a Matti Lund-Nielsen penalty after a foul by Tibi in the box, 2:0 Sarpsborg.

In the 10’ Schoenfeld almost pulled a goal back for the Yellow & Blue but the host’s defense cleared the ball at the last second. However, two minutes later, Kjartansson was tripped up in the box and put home the 11 meter spot kick to cut the Sarpsborg lead to 2:1. Maccabi then pressed for the equalizer but couldn’t convert their chances over the next few minutes.

In the 30’ Maccabi missed a pair of tremendous opportunities as Atzily made his way down the pitch, went into the box but his shot went off of a Sarpsborg player and out. Saborit had a pair of attempts off corner kicks to no avail while a 35’ chance by Barsky missed the goal by inches as the Yellow & Blue went into the break down 2:1.

Second Half
A Rajkovic foul in the 55’ resulted in Sarpsborg’s second penalty of the match as Patrick Mortensen converted the kick for a 3:1 lead. 12 minutes later Ivic made his first substitution as Chico Ofoedu came on for Atzily while in the 76’ Itay Shechter was introduced for Kjartansson as the Head Coach looked to freshen up the attack.

Eyal Golasa entered the match in the 88’ in favor of Barsky as Maccabi fell 3:1 in the first leg of the Playoff Round as the return leg will take place next Thursday night at the Netanya Stadium.

Eitan Tibi, the Yellow & Blue Central defender looked ahead to Thursday night’s (20:05 Israel time) Europa League Playoff Round First Leg Match at Sapsborg 08 from Norway:

“There have been a number of times so far this season that we have played the first leg away. Regardless, we will come into the match focused with the goal of winning the game.”

Preparing the same way whether the first leg is at home or away:
“Our preparations are the same whether we play the first leg away or at home. We know that this is just the first half but we are also aware of the importance of the contest.”

About the wintery weather and synthetic pitch:
“We will handle anything along the way.”

Maccabi Tel Aviv held their final preparations ahead of the the first leg of the Europa League Playoff Round on Thursday (20:05 Israel time) at Sarpsborg in Norway. Itay Shechter, the Yellow & Blue striker addressed the assembled media at the prematch press conference:

“We know that this is a very tough side and we are prepared for a difficult match. We’re here to give it our all in order to obtain a good result. We will do our best but in football you never know what the result will be. We are ready for anything and everything.”

About the conditions in Sarpsborg:
“It’s a bit chilly but that’s something which may help us run. We have experienced players and we will be ready. We have two super difficult matches coming up and we will do everything in our power to bring back a good result and achieve our goal.”

The squad:
“We built a good and strong squad so that we have players who will be ready for every match. We prepare from match to match. The game tomorrow is important for the club and then we will begin to prepare for the upcoming matches.”

Vladimir Ivic, the Yellow & Blue Head Coach addressed the assembled media ahead of the first leg of the Europa League Playoff Round at Sarpsborg 08 in Norway, Thursday night at 20:05 Israel time:

“When we had information that we would play either Sarpsborg or Rijeka we started to learn about the team. They didn’t get here by accident and they are a tough team who play disciplined, have worked together for a long period of time and know how to both defend and attack. We are prepared for a tough game. Tomorrow is the first game and we are looking to get a good result which for us is a victory and we will do everything to do that.”

About the squad:
“We have a full squad and they are all ready. The players who came are the best players for this match.”

The Israel Premier League Ligat Ha’Al is back. Maccabi Tel Aviv host Maccabi Haifa on Matchday One on Sunday August 26th at 21:00. Tickets are on sale now via the Leaan Website, the Leaan Ticket Office and via Telephone *8780.

Please note: There are a limited amount of tickets available.

* You may purchase tickets on the Leaan Website by using the User ID and password
* Home printing is available
* Ticket sales are for Maccabi Tel Aviv supporters only. Supporters from the opposing team who enter the Maccabi Tel Aviv fan stands will be ejected from stadium and the ticket price will not be refunded.

Ticket Prices
Leaan Ticket Office
Youth/Soldier/Women – (Sections 109, 208-209 only) – 50 NIS
Lower East Stand – 100 NIS
Upper West Stand (Sections 208-209) – 100 NIS
Upper West Stand (Sections 204-207) – 110 NIS
E+ – 300 NIS
Silver Section – 500 NIS

Phone/Leaan Website
Youth/Soldier/Women – (Sections 109, 208-209 only) – 55 NIS
Lower East Stand – 105 NIS
Upper West Stand (Sections 208-209) – 105 NIS
Upper West Stand (Sections 204-207) – 115 NIS
E+ – 305 NIS
Silver Section – 505 NIS

Ticket Collection
Tickets may be collected at the Leaan Ticket Office located at 42 Frishman Street, Tel Aviv between Sunday-Thursday 09:00-19:00, Friday 09:00-13:30.
Tickets may be collected on Matchday at the Stadium ticket windows beginning 3 hours prior to the match until 45 minutes after the start of the match.

Maccabi Tel Aviv will face their first ever foe from Norway when they battle Sarpsborg 08 of the Eliteserien in the Playoff Round for a ticket to the Europa League Group Stages. To help us get to know more about Sarpsborg 08, we spoke to Eurosport TV commentator Jørn Sundby @jornsundby and BJarte @Bjellas an avid supporter of Norwegian clubs and Israel.

“I think Sarpsborg’s strength first and foremost is their collective,” explained BJarte. “Joonas Tamm on loan from Flora in the central defense was extremely good against Rijeka.” Sundby added, “Striker Patrick Mortensen is very hard working and is also active on defense. He’s strong in the air and runs on every ball. Rashad Muhammed their new winger has blistering pace, but misses too many chances while Lund Nielsen and Kristoffer Zachariassen never tire and are box to box players.”

As for their style of play Sundby commented, “They play a direct style with balls behind the defense for Muhammed or on the wingers for crosses to Mortensen. They have scored half of their goals this season in the Norwegian League on set pieces and are very strong in that aspect.” BJarte added, “Sarpsborg play 4-4-2 and they usually don’t concede a lot of goals on the their home ground, including only one at home against Rijeka.”

Head Coach Geir Bakke has been in charge of or served as an assistant for Norwegian clubs since 1999. “Bakke has been Sarpsborg’s boss since 2015,” said BJarte. “Since he took over they have done really well and finished in 3rd place domestically last season which was their best result ever.” Bundby chimed in, “The coach is very strong tactically and good at developing players. He’s a true football man.”

What will Maccabi expect in terms of atmosphere in Norway? Sundby explained, “The Club is very young and was founded in 2008, replacing the other clubs in the town. They only entered the top league in 2011. The supporters are enthusiastic and friendly, but not fanatic. They don’t have any ultras or similar. This is the first time they are playing in Europe so the club are still in their infancy and are building. Although the town is known for ice hockey, that is beginning to change.”

BJarte agreed, “Over the last few years attendance has begun to surpass that of hockey and the match against Maccabi will be sold out with approximately 7,000 fans in attendance. The contest will be at Sarpsborg Stadion on artificial turf.”

After advancing through three rounds of Europa League qualifying, spirits and hopes are high. “I am expecting two tight matches; not many goals and it could be close, 50/50,” said Sundby. BJarte concluded, “Sarpsborg have beaten good teams in the qualifying round (St. Gallen and Rijeka). Tel Aviv had an easier way to the playoff round so I think this tie is going to be very even. However, Maccabi has a lot of experience in these kinds of games and for Sarpsborg this is a completely new experience. Perhaps Vidar Kjartansson will be the wildcard after playing in the Norwegian Premier League. Maybe he will tip the scales?”