Maccabi Tel Aviv’s Europa League campaign will open up on Thursday (20:00 Israel time) when they face Ferencvárosi Torna Club, Ferencvaros as they visit the city of Budapest for first leg of first round qualifying action. Fradi as they are also known was established in 1899 by Ferenc Springer and is undoubtedly the most popular club in Hungary today.

Journalist Tomasz Mortimer of HungarianFootball.com gave us a rundown on what to expect from Ferencvaros from their style of play to their key players as the Yellow & Blue ready for another European adventure.

“The Fradi lost their star Ghanian midfielder Joseph Paintsil who left for Genk so now their key players are the midfield duo of Stefan Spirovski from Macedonia and Fernando Gorriarán who hails from Uruguay. On the defensive side, Nigerian born-Hungarian National team player Kenneth Otigba and Slovenian Miha Blažič are very strong and will be force for Ferencvaros.”

“On the attack,” Mortimer continued, “Captain Dániel Böde who has made 178 appearances while scoring 82 goals since 2012, will almost certainly start along with Italian Davide Lanzafame while Icelander Kjartan Finnbogason has been brought in as 3rd choice striker.”

German Head Coach Thomas Doll has been at the club since 2013 and has guided the squad to one Nemzeti Bajnokság I Hungarian League Championship (2015/16) and three Hungarian Cups (2014/15, 2015/16, 2016/17). Doll has also played in Italy for Lazio and Bari and featured in Germany for Hamburger SV, Eintract Frankfurt and Berliner FC Dynamo while also representing his country over 60 times.

“Doll is a very lively man. He gets very aggressive with his own team and with the referee but he’s also very well liked by the players and has a soft side. They like to keep the ball on the floor, but they’ll play at a fast pace and attempt to get the ball as wide as soon as possible to create one on one opportunities. It’s a very direct philosophy while it’s not playing the long ball.”

With the first leg being played in the ultra modern Groupama Stadium, it’s interesting to note that Ferencvaros welcomed former Maccabi Tel Aviv Champions League foe Chelsea in 2014 for the first official match at the new stadium where Fradi legend Zoltán Gera who also played for West Bromwich Albion and Fulham scored the first goal in the club’s new home. As for the fans, Mortimer explains that they are very active, “The supporters are very loud and at their best they are amongst the best in Europe. There should be 15,000 supporters at the match.”

Mortimer has mixed feelings about Ferencvaros’ chances against Maccabi, “On one hand if they play to their best they could quite easily win. It’s a very, very talented side. But on the other hand Ferencvaros’ history in Europe under Doll has not been good and I don’t see why that would change this time.”

Interesting Facts

• The nickname Fradi is shortened from the German Franzstadt Ferencváros being the 9th district of Budapest. The team is also frequently called the Green Eagles as their colors are Green and White.
• There will be a familiar face in the lineup for Ferencvaros in one Marcel Heister as the left back spent the last two seasons in Israel with Maccabi Tel Aviv.
• Ferencváros is best known internationally for winning the 1964/65 Inter-Cities Fairs Cup after defeating Juventus 1:0 in Turin and for reaching the final of the 1974/75 European Cup Winners’ Cup falling to Dynamo Kyiv 3:0.
• Ferencvaros was the first Hungarian club to reach the UEFA Champions League (1995/96) where they played Ajax, Real Madrid and Grasshopper.
• Maccabi faced a Hungarian club once before in Europe when they played Gyori in 2013/14 Champions League qualification.

Maccabi Tel Aviv will lok to begin their European campaign on the right foot tomorrow when they visit Ferencvaros in Budapest, Hungary in first leg first round Europa League qualifying.

Also on the Website:
Ivic: “There are no favorites in a game like this”
How did the Yellow & Blue’s first match against a Hungarian opponent end? WATCH

Watch the Final Training Session in Budapest:

For Avi Rikan this is his 4th straight European campaign since arriving at Maccabi in the summer of 2015 and has played in twice in the Europa League group stages and once in the group stages of the Champions League.

Midfielder Avi Rikan spoke about tomorrow’s match:
“We came here to win just just like any other match and we prepared well over the past month. The professional staff did a good job and we are coming into the game ready to go.”

What Maccabi is expecting from Ferencvaros:
“We looked at their matches and we saw a quality team. We understand that the Groupama Arena is a very homey for Ferencvaros. We prepared for them as a team and we know what to expect tomorrow.”

The new players on the squad:
“We have a very good team and we also have some new players. We have all prepared well and we had plenty of time to get ready for the match by playing a number of friendlies. The new players have adapted very well.”

Maccabi Tel Aviv will officially get the 2018/19 season underway when they play their first match of the campaign in first leg first round Europa League qualifying at Ferencvaros in Budapest, Hungary. This evening the Club held their prematch press conference as Head Coach Vladan Ivic and midfielder Avi Rikan both addressed the assembled media:

Also on the Website:
How did the Yellow & Blue’s first match against a Hungarian opponent end? WATCH

Head Coach Vladan Ivic looked forward to the first contest:
“This is the first game of the season for both clubs. Maccabi is the biggest club in Israel and Ferencváros is the biggest club in Hungary. There are no favorites in a game like this.”

Preparations for the match:
“We prepared well in our preseason and when we heard that our first opponent was going to be Ferencvaros, we prepared specifically for them. I have prepared the team to advance through the first round. Tomorrow is the first half and then next week is the second.”

Experience in Europe being an advantage:
“Maccabi has played in the Europa League and the Champions League over the past few years and we may have more experience in Europe. But it’s the first game after the preseason for both teams and it’s a 50/50 match.”

Immediate goals:
“I’ve been with the team for three weeks and we have worked hard preparing for the competitions. Our target is to advance to the group stage and now we are just focusing on this competition as it’s the first one.”

Winning every match:
“I spoke to my players that our target is to win every game and that is the same for tomorrow.”

Midfielder Avi Rikan spoke about tomorrow’s match:
“We came here to win just just like any other match and we prepared well over the past month. The professional staff did a good job and we are coming into the game ready to go.”

What Maccabi is expecting from Ferencvaros:
“We looked at their matches and we saw a quality team. We understand that the Groupama Arena is a very homey for Ferencvaros. We prepared for them as a team and we know what to expect tomorrow.”

The new players on the squad:
“We have a very good team and we also have some new players. We have all prepared well and we had plenty of time to get ready for the match by playing a number of friendlies. The new players have adapted very well.”

After landing last night in Hungary, Maccabi Tel Aviv today will put the finishing touches on their preparations for their first leg, first round Europa League qualifying match against Ferencvaros (Thursday, 20:00) under the direction of Head Coach Vladan Ivic.

Also on the Website:
How did the Yellow & Blue’s first match against a Hungarian opponent end? WATCH
Dasa: “We hope to continue our European tradition”

The Club will hold their final training session and press conference ahead of Thursday’s match later today. For all of the latest updates, photos and video clips from Hungary, make sure to stay tuned to the Official Maccabi Tel Aviv Website, App and Social Networks.

Maccabi Tel Aviv landed last night (Tuesday) in Budapest to open up their European campaign against Hungarian outfit Ferencvaros. In fact, this will be the second time the Yellow & Blue will play a team from Hungary in continental competition.

Also on the Website:
Dasa: “We hope to continue our European tradition”

In 2013/14, Maccabi was drawn against Gyori, their first Hungarian opponent since joining UEFA back in the early 1990’s. The matchup was in the second round of Champions League qualifying which ended up being the start of a successful Europa League campaign under Head Coach Paulo Sousa.

“There was a good atmosphere at the stadium in Budapest. But we all know that our supporters will create an even better atmosphere in Netanya. Together with our fans we can get a good result.” – Rajikovic

Maccabi Tel Aviv will host Ferencvaros on Thursday July 19th at 20:00 in a Europa League second leg first round qualifying match. The contest will be played at the Netanya Stadium and 2018/19 Season Ticket Holders have priority to purchase discounted tickets via the Leaan Website, phone and at the Leaan Ticket Office.

Today, Friday July 13th at 12:00, tickets also went on sale for the general public via the Leaan website. On Sunday, tickets will also be available for purchase via phone and at the Leaan Ticket Office.

Sales for Season Ticket Holders began on Tuesday July 10 at 12:00 and they will have priority to purchase discounted tickets until Tuesday July 17 at 18:00.

Tickets are on sale via the Leaan Ticket Agency located at 42 Frishman Street, by phone *8780 and via the Leaan Website for Season Ticket Holders and General Public.

• Maccabi fans may purchase tickets in the Upper East Stand (unreserved), Lower East Stand (reserved).
• Tickets for this match are not included in the season ticket package
• Tickets may be printed at home

Ticket Prices Leaan Ticket Office
Season Ticket holders – 40 NIS
General public – 55 NIS

Ticket Prices Phone and Website
Season Ticket holders – 45 NIS
General public – 60 NIS

Ticket Collection
Tickets may be collected at the Leaan Ticket Office located at 42 Frishman Street 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.

A brand new Yellow & Blue Pop-Up Shop that’s “100% Maccabi” has opened up at Dizengoff Center this summer to serve your every Maccabi Tel Aviv need!

What will you find at the Shop?
First off, the brand new Official 2018/19 Home Kit is available for purchase along with plenty items that will make sure that you’re “100% Maccabi” when you head back to school. From T-shirts, games, speakers, dolls and hats to scarves, bathing suits for children and much, much, more, there are amazing products waiting for you.

Where is the store located?
The Pop-Up Shop is in Building A on the 2nd floor right by Jackie-O.

Shop hours:
Sunday-Thursday 10:00-22:00
Friday 09:30-15:00

The beginning of a new season is always exciting for every true supporter – in every sport. The new season brings renewal and rejuvenation as Maccabi Tel Aviv is proud to launch the brand new Official Home Kit for the 2018/19 campaign.

This is the second season in a row that the Club’s Kit is self produced and presents the perfect blend of unique design, advanced technology and uncompromising comfort in order to give the players and fans a first rate sports experience.

For the upcoming season, the Kit will feature vertical Yellow & Blue stripes. As part of the Club’s steadfast relationship with the fans, the design was very popular amongst the supporters and was last worn in the memorable 2012/13 campaign.

The Official Home Kit is a central part of the 100% Maccabi campaign that will accompany the Club, the team and the supporters throughout the season. Values such as uncompromising ambition for excellence, achievement and loyalty are those that lead us forward and are the inspiration for the upcoming season. These values will also bring us back to our deep connection with Maccabi as it was decided to return the Club’s symbol close to the heart – to the upper left side of the match shirt.

In addition, the Kit’s design includes a number elements unique to Maccabi. On the back of the shirt is the phrase that describes the Club’s spirt – Respect All, Fear None. On the upper right side is the MTA logo and at the bottom of the shirt is a gold MTA label authenticating the Official 2018/19 Kit.

Another new feature that can be found on the front of the shirt for the first time in many years is the logo of the Club’s main sponsor – PenguinPickUp. As well, our long standing relationship with sponsors HISENSE and Nivea continues this season and their logos can be found on the back of the shirt. The B.S.R. Group has also joined the family and their logo will be featured on the Maccabi match shorts.

The new Kits are available now for purchase via the Online Shop and on Tuesday at 11:00 at the Club Store at Cinema City Rishon Le’Zion, the PenguinPickUp Training Ground Shop at Kiryat Shalom as well as the Pop-Up Shop at Dizengoff Center across from Jackie-O. Season ticket holders will receive an SMS with a coupon code for a 30 NIS discount over the next few days and can be used at one of the Club’s stores.

And what about the Away kit, you ask? Don’t worry, it’s worth the wait