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Following a 1:0 victory last week, Maccabi Tel Aviv will attempt to advance to the Europa League Playoff Round against Panionios on Thursday. This morning, Wednesday, the Club headed for Athens for the second leg against their Greek opponents which will take place on Thursday at 22:00 at the Nea Smyrni Stadium.

This evening, the prematch press conference and final training session will take place at the stadium.

All of the latest updates from Greece can be found on the Official Website, App and Social Networks of the Club.

With the season starting off on the right foot, Maccabi Tel Aviv has a busy month of August ahead with European matches, Toto Cup contests and of course the opening of the League against Beitar Jerusalem. Let’s take a look at what’s in store for you this month:

3.8: Panionios – Maccabi Tel Aviv, 22:00 Nea Smyrni Stadium Athens
After a 1:0 victory at the Netanya Stadium, the Yellow & Blue head to Greece with one goal in mind; advance to the Europa League Playoff Round.

4.8: Europa League Playoff Round Draw (Should Maccabi advance)
Should Maccabi Tel Aviv advance to the Playoff Round, the draw to determine who their next Europa League opponent will be held on Friday. The Yellow & Blue should be ranked for this round due to their successful continental results over the past few seasons and would probably draw a favorable opponent.

6.8: Maccabi Tel Aviv – Maccabi Netanya, 19:00 Netanya Stadium
The Club’s busy schedule sets up a Toto Cup clash on Sunday against the newly promoted Maccabi Netanya on Matchday 3 of the competition.

9.8: Maccabi Petah Tikva – Maccabi Tel Aviv, 21:00 Moshava Stadium
Three days after the match against Netanya, Maccabi will head to the Moshava Stadium to battle Maccabi Petah Tikva on Matchday 4 of the Toto Cup.

12.8: Hapoel Raanana – Maccabi Tel Aviv, 19:00 Netanya Stadium (Toto Cup Matchday 5)

17.8: Europa League Playoff First Leg (Should Maccabi advance)

19-21.8: Maccabi Tel Aviv – Beitar Jerusalem (exact date and time TBD)
One of the highlights of the month is no doubt the opening Matchday of the Ligat Ha’al, the Israel Premier League against Beitar Jerusalem as they will visit the Netanya Stadium in a game that will no doubt be the Match of the Week.

24.8: Europa League Playoff Second Leg (Should Maccabi advance)

25.8: Europa League Group Stage Draw (Should Maccabi advance)

26-27.8: Kiryat Shemona – Maccabi Tel Aviv (exact date and time TBD)
After the home match against Beitar Jerusalem, Maccabi heads north for an encounter with Kiryat Shemona on Matchday Two. Please note that it’s still unclear if the match will take place at the Kiryat Shemona Municipal Stadium or the Akko Stadium.

The transfer window continues and you’ll be updated before anyone else:
Do you want to be the first know what’s going on at the Club? Then make sure to download the Official App to make sure you get the hottest news as it happens. Please enable the notification setting on the App in order to get the updates right to your mobile device. To download the App CLICK HERE

And that’s not all!
Tu B’Av Specials
The Israeli Holiday of Love is here. You may have seen some of our players brushing up on their Hebrew as they get ready for the holiday, but have you made sure to pamper your significant other for Tu B’Av? You can enjoy a fantastic special FOR HER by purchasing a t-shirt and the #LoveIsBlind scarf for only 89 NIS or FOR HIM or HER by picking up an Official Jersey and getting the #LoveIsBlind scarf for just 219 NIS.

Back to School Sale
After enjoying the first half of the summer vacation now it’s time to make sure you get your children ready to go back to school. You can find all kinds of great specials on Back to School items at the Official Club Stores and the Pop-Up Shop at the Azrieli Shopping Center. So let’s go! You don’t want to send the kids back to school without Yellow & Blue Maccabi products!

Pop-Up Shop at the Azrieli Shopping Center
You can find great Maccabi items at one of the biggest Shopping Centers in the city as the Pop-Up Shop is located on the 1st floor of the Azrieli Shopping Center. What’s on tap? Meet the players, Foosball Tournaments and much, much more!

Maccabi Tel Aviv visits Panionios in Greece on Thursday for the second leg of Europa League Third Round Qualifying. The Greek side is from Athens, the country’s capital and there is plenty of terrific attractions to see while there for the Yellow & Blue match including great cultural activities, music, fine dining and historical sites. Issta Sport has put together a fantastic list of can’t miss recommendations for you to do!

Athens received a major facelift in time for the 2004 Olympic Games which included upgrading the transportation system which is an easy way to get around the city. As one of the most popular tourist destinations, Athens has something to offer for everyone.

Amongst the tourist attractions is the Temple of Olympian Zeus, the Acropolis (Upper City), the Hellenic Parliament with the Changing of the Guard, the National Gardens, the Monastiraki with its flea market as well as many museums including the National Archaeological Museum.

Along with all of the historical sites that can be found in Athens, you can also enjoy the modern shopping centers, the various restaurants and Greek taverns where you can experience true Greek cuisine, dance and music. Athens is a very interesting city, colorful and unique which you can visit both as a stand alone trip or combined with visits to the neighboring islands.

ATHENS ATTRACTIONS
Acropolis
The Acropolis is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that was built at the beginning of the 5th century BC by the Greek leader Pericles. The word Acropolis means “Upper City” and is an ancient citadel located on an extremely rocky outcrop above the city of Athens. It contains the remains of several ancient buildings of great architectural and historic significance, the most famous being the Parthenon. Since the 1950’s the area has been under renovation and has gone though many reconstruction projects.

The Olympic Stadium
The stadium was completed in 1982 in time for the European Championship in Athletics and underwent an extensive 260 million Euro renovation in 2004. Today, the stadium is used as the Olympic training facility and has a roof that was designed by Calatrava the same architect who designed the Jerusalem Chords Bridge. The stadium is also named after Spyros Louis, the winner of the first modern Olympic marathon race in 1896 and also houses the AEK Athens Football Club.

Omonoia Square
Omonoia Square is the central square in Athens. It marks the northern corner of the downtown area defined by the city plans of the 19th century and is one of the city’s principal traffic hubs. It is served by the Omonoia train station and has many hotels, shopping centers, restaurants and more. It was established in 1846 and took its current name which means oath of peace in 1862. You can also find the Pentakiklon structure at the square.

Syntagma Square
Syntagma Square is the largest square in the city of Athens where you can also find the Greek Parliament. It has also been known as Constitution Square as the Greek constitution was signed in 1843 and is one of the most important squares in Athens due to its history and its current focus on commercial and political activity. The Changing of the Guard takes place at the square and is performed by the Presidential Guard in front of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

Athens Night Life
Plaka
Over the course of the years , the Plaka has been known as the “Neighborhood of the Gods” due to its proximity to the Acropolis and its many archaeological sites. A stroll through the Plaka will reveal charming and well-kept buildings alongside the ruins and antiquities of ancient Greece. There are also a host of small Greek taverns with blue and white tables along the narrow streets along with beautiful shops. You can wander around the Plaka at all hours of the day, but at night it gets even more amazing when the Acropolis of Athens is illuminated with spectacular lighting.

Brettos Bar
The Brettos Bar is not only the oldest distillery in Athens but one of the oldest in Europe and has been operating since 1909. Ouzo, brandy and liqueurs in 36 various flavors using traditional family recipes are prepared on site. The bar is open daily from 10:00 until 03:00.
Address: Kidathineon 41, Athina 105 58, Greece

Kolonaki Neighborhood
Kolonaki is a neighborhood in central Athens, is located on the southern slopes of Lycabettus hill with its name being derived from the two metre column in the square. Kolonaki is a wealthy and upmarket district and is one of the capital’s leading shopping areas which includes a number of high-end boutiques from young adults to casual fashion to prestigious haute couture from Greek and international designers. One of its main shopping streets, Voukourestiou Street is now known for its jewelry.

Perivoli T’ Oyranou
The Perivoli T’ Oyranou is a Rembetika Club in the Plaka neighborhood and plays Greek folk music with 3 singers and a pianist. It is open every night.
Address: Lisikratous 19, Plaka

Tu B’Av Specials
FOR HER: True Love Lasts Forever Shirt + #LoveIsBlind Scarf for only 89 NIS!
FOR HIM: Get a #LoveIsBlind Scarf when you purchase an Official Jersey!

Avi Rikan addressed the press following the Yellow & Blue’s 2:0 win over Bnei Yehuda on Matchday One of the Toto Cup. Number 22 can play numerous positions and he spoke about that as well as the various formations that the club can play and about the chance to get onto the pitch:

“We knew what to expect and we have a big squad. We wanted to play and we all enjoyed ourselves. We played well, scored two goals and we could have scored more while it was important that we kept a clean sheet.”

Advantage of playing a number of positions:
“It’s an advantage for me to be able to play a number of positions and today we played with 3 central defenders. It’s good for me, for the club and for the coach that I can play many positions on the pitch and I’ll play wherever I can he’ll out.”

Playing for Maccabi Tel Aviv:
“You have to adjust quickly and understand that this is Maccabi Tel Aviv where you are always expected to win. We all want to win and we did. We were able to get closer to the goal and playing together will help the youngsters gain confidence.”

Practicing the formation with three central defenders:
“We did prepare to play with three central defenders as the professional staff may want to change the system on the pitch in certain situations.”

Playing a system with p three central defenders:
“It’s not an easy system, but if you know how to play it then you can bring results as well. We have played it while I have been here and also other times before I got here.”

Feelings about beginning to new season:
“We had the same feelings last season as well when Eran Zahavi left. We always want to take home titles. We played in the Champions League group stages and the Europa League group stages last season and that was an accomplishment as well. We will do the maximum to be in the right place at the right time. There’s not a lot of time to sit back and relax.”

About Panionios:
“We knew that Panionios was a good team and they played well at the end of the season. We scored a goal but we have to be ready to play a full 90 minutes. We have to work hard and come home with the victory.”

Jordi Cruyff, the Yellow & Blue Head Coach looked back at his Club’s 2:0 victory over Bnei Yehuda on Matchday One of the Toto Cup while looking ahead to Thursday night’s second leg of Europa League Third Round Qualifying against Panionios in Athens, Greece. Cruyff spoke about Dor Micha’s return, different systems and about the match itself:

Jordi Cruyff Maccabi Tel Aviv Head Coach https://t.co/pgnJ7nXVTn

— Maccabi Tel-Aviv (@MaccabiTLVFC) July 30, 2017

“I can be satisfied with their performance as they haven’t played in a long time and they haven’t played together. But they responded well and it’s a game where we wanted to finish without any injuries, gain minutes and pickup a clean sheet.”

Positives from the match:
“We were disciplined and we worked like a team to the end of the game.”

Playing different systems:
“I think Maccabi must be prepared to change in every way in every game. They have to be able to change up the system and be ready for any circumstance.”

The Toto Cup competition:
“When you win you celebrate any competition. I think it’s a good one to have as it’s preparation for the league. I just wish that we had some more time between games.”

Starting XI:
“I don’t have a first XI. I have a group of players and I want to get the maximum from each player.”

Playing Dor Micha and Cristian Battocchio together:
“The combination of the types of players like Micha and Battocchio could have a good type of association together as they both don’t have a fixed position. As long as they don’t go into the same place they should be fine.”

About the Panionios match on Thursday:
“They have some good players and they are a good team. They created one good clear chance and will press more and play much more physical. We will have to battle.”

Surprised about Panionios:
“I wasn’t surprised as the Greek league is a good league. We must always respect or opponent and be well prepared. I see our chances as 50/50.”

The Yellow & Blue began their domestic season off on the right foot defeating Bnei Yehuda 2:0 on Matchday One of the Toto Cup. Avi Rikan and Sagiv Yehezkel scored first half goals to give Maccabi the victory as they will now prepare for the second leg of Europa League Third Round Qualifying against Panionios in Athens, Greece.

Head Coach Jordi Cruyff’s Starting XI featured mnay players who were making their 2017/18 debut including keeper Daniel Tenenbaum, Egor Filipenka, Sean Goldberg, Marcelo dos Santos and Sagiv Yehezkel. Dor Peretz, Avi Rikan, Eliel Peretz, Shlomi Azulay, Yonatan Cohen and Barak Itzhaki rounded out the Yellow & Blue lineup.

Available on the bench were keeper Predrag Rajikovic, Vidar Kjartansson, Sheran Yeini, Dor Micha, Eitan Tibi, Matan Baltaxa and Cristian Battocchio.

First Half
Maccabi began the match with 3 defenders, Dor Peretz, Egor Filipenka and Sean Goldberg as Sagiv Yehezkel and Avi Rikan played on the wings. Matan Hozez had the first chance of the contest for Bnei Yehuda in the 16th minute as he came down the right flank, but Tenenbaum was up to the task and made a diving stop. Cohen had Maccabi’s first opportunity of the match but his effort from the top of the box was saved by an alert Zoubas in the 21st minute as the game remained goalless

However, in the 35th minute an active Rikan beat Zoubas from the top of the box as he took a nifty pass from Goldberg and slotted the ball home to give the Yellow & Blue a 1:0 lead. Three minutes later Cohen almost doubled the Maccabi advantage as Eliel Peretz have him a perfect pass as he went in on a one-on-one situation but skied the ball over the keeper.

In the 42nd minute Dovev Gabbay had a beautiful chance inside the box but Tenenbaum made a fantastic instinctive save as the Brazilian-Israeli dove to his left to smother the ball. A minute later Gabbay had another opportunity but Tenenbaum cut off the angle and the Bnei Yehuda striker hit the right post as Dor Peretz cleared the ball away from danger.

Just before the sides headed down to the dressing rooms for the halftime break, Sagiv Yehezkel took a deep pass from Azulay and made no mistake with the ball as he beat Zoubas for a 2:0 lead.

Second Half
Three minutes into the second half, Itzhaki had a wonderful chance all alone in the box but his effort was saved by Zoubas to keep the score as is. One minute later, Tenenbaum made another fine stop as he parried a Eli Balilti shot from the left out.

In the 61st minute, Dor Micha made his 2017/18 season debut in favor of Itzhaki while Matan Baltaxa made his first appearance in Yellow & Blue for Azulay. Tenenbaum was again in place to make the stop on Gaira Joof’s effort in the 64th minute while Filipenka was issued a yellow card a minute later and was then taken off in favor of Eitan Tibi.

Baltaxa was shown a yellow card in the 68th minute following a reckless tackle in the midfield while Sheran Yeini and Cristian Battocchio came on in place of Yehezkel and dos Santos in the 72nd minute. Yeini is now Maccabi Tel Aviv’s all-time Toto Cup appearance leader having played in 54 matches.

In the 83rd minute, Baltaxa gave Cohen a terrific ball in the box but number 24 missed wide left of the goal as Maccabi Tel Aviv wrapped up a neat 2:0 win over Bnei Yehuda on Matchday One of the Toto Cup. The Yellow & Blue will now get ready for the return leg against Panionios in Athens, Greece on Thursday night.