Maccabi Tel Aviv were drawn in Nyon, Switzerland today to play against Gorica of Slovenia in the first round of Europa League qualifying.

The Head Coach, Shota Arveladze spoke to the Club’s Official Website about the Yellow & Blue’s opponent: “At this stage of the competition you can always find yourself playing against teams which could surprise you and although we don’t have long to prepare, we are doing exactly that. The first leg will be played at home and I am sure that everyone including myself is looking forward towards playing in front of Maccabi’s fans.”

The first leg will take place on Thursday June 30th with the return leg the following Thursday July 7th. Should Maccabi advance to the second round they will play against either KS Teuta of Albania or Kazakhstan outfit FC Kairat Almaty in a two legged tie on July 14th and July 21st.

The 2016/17 campaign is upon us and on June 30th Maccabi Tel Aviv will play its opening match of the season in the first round of Europa League qualifying. The draw that took place earlier this afternoon in Nyon, Switzerland handed new coach Shota Arveladze the Slovenian outfit, Gorica as the Club’s first round opponent.

The first leg will take place on Thursday June 30th while the return leg will occur on July 7th. Should Maccabi advance their second round opponent will be either KS Teuta of Albania or Kazakhstan side FC Kairat Almaty with matches being played on Thursday July 14th and July 21st.

Maccabi Tel Aviv will be ranked throughout the qualifying rounds and perhaps in the playoffs as well. The draw consisted of 96 teams with 48 ranked and 48 unranked with Maccabi being at the top of the list with 20.225 points.

Four Championships, 3 Cups and plenty of European experience – Get to know Gorica of Slovenia

Gorica is from the town of Nova Gorica and plays at the Nova Gorica Sports Park that holds 3,000 spectators. This past season Gorica finished in 4th place in their domestic league.

The team is considered to be one of the strongest clubs that Maccabi could have been drawn against in the group that had been narrowed down earlier in the day. Gorica win the Slovenian Championship in 1996, 2004, 2005, 2006 and has won 3 Cups the most recent one being in 2014.

Gorica has many years of European experience and has played in both the Champions League Qualification Rounds as well as the Europa League qualifying matches.

Barak Itzhaki, Maccabi Tel Aviv’s veteran striker discussed the Club’s first friendly match of the preseason as the Yellow & Blue defeated DAC Streda 3:0 on goals by Sa, Ben Basat and of course Itzhaki. Number 10 spoke about the upcoming Europa League first round qualifying match, the game against Streda and the new coach:

“It was our first preseason match and we now have a new coach with new expectations. We have to get to know one another. We won 3:0 and it’s always good to start off on the right foot.”

The new coach’s expectations:

“Pressure and where he wants us to play. But we have to be realistic the coach just got here yesterday and we had about a practice and a half, but as time goes by we will put it all together.”

About the first preseason match:

“I had decent match with a goal and an assist, but it doesn’t matter who scores or who even wins in these types of games. These matches are important for the coach to know who we are, for us to begin to understand him and what his expectations are from us. I think we are on the right track and it’s always good to win in your first match.”

The first official match is June 30th:

“We have plenty of work going forward, but it’s good that the core of the squad is still here. There were some changes that were on one hand small but on the other hand much bigger. We have to make sure we get ready for our first official match the best we can.”

Maccabi Tel Aviv began the preseason with a 3:0 victory against Slovakian side DAC Dunajska Streda in Austria as brand new Head Coach Shota Arveladze had a chance to see his team up close and watch Barak Itzhaki, Orlando Sa and Eden Ben Basat all score for the Yellow & Blue.

For his first match in charge the Georgian started Daniel Lifshitz who just signed a new contract with the club in goal as a defensive quartet of Dan Glazer, Tal Ben Haim, Dor Peretz and Omri Ben Harush played in front of the Swedish born keeper. Shlomi Azulay, Eliel Peretz and acting captain Gal Alberman manned the midfield while Barak Itzhaki, Tal Ben Chaim and Orlando Sa provided the attack.

FIRST HALF

The contest opened up with Streda having the first opportunity in the second minute as Branislav Luptak’s chance from close range went over the Maccabi goal after the Slovakian midfielder pounced on an Erik Hacienda’s free kick rebound off of the Maccabi wall. Five minutes later winger Ben Chaim came steaming down the left side only to have the Streda defense send the ball to safety at the last second.

The 12th minute saw Maccabi’s Portuguese striker Sa head the ball towards the Slovakian goal but the keeper was able to knock it away to keep the match goalless. Streda’s Senegalese midfielder Pape Sarr had the match’s next chance, however, Glazer was able to make sure the ball didn’t find the back of Lifshitz’s goal.

But in the 19th minute it was the Yellow & Blue who found the opening marker of the match as Ben Chaim was brought down in the box by Peter Stepanovsky allowing Itzhaki the opportunity to convert the spot kick to give Maccabi a 1:0 lead.

Just one minute later, Sa doubled the Maccabi advantage after taking a fantastic deep ball by Itzhaki and scoring from in close. Azulay attempted to add to the lead in the 28th minute but his free kick from 24 meters out couldn’t find the goal while Sa’s 34th minute opportunity was saved by the Slovakian keeper as the Yellow & Blue went into the break with a 2:0 lead.

SECOND HALF

The second half opened with wholesale substitutions by Coach Arveladze as Yossi Benayoun made his Maccabi Tel Aviv debut and was joined by Carlos Garcia, Eitan Tibi, Dor Micha, Nosa Igiebor, Guy Aviv, Eden Ben Basat and Avi Rikan on the pitch for the final 45 minutes of the match. Keeper Daniel Lifshitz was subbed out in the 62nd minute in favor of Haviv Ohayon as Maccabi looked for a 3rd goal.

And that’s exactly what Ben Basat did nine minutes later 16 meters out from the left side of the pitch as the striker padded the advantage. Eliel Peretz had a quality chance in the 88th minute that went out for a corner as the match ended 3:0 in favor of the Yellow & Blue.

Eitan Tibi and Daniel Lifshitz officially signed new contracts with Maccabi Tel Aviv that will keep them with the Club for the next few seasons. The central defender extended his deal with the team by three years with an option for a 4th season while the keeper was purchased outright from Hapoel Raanana and signed a two year contract with the Club. Daniel Lifshitz spoke about the honor and privilege of playing at Maccabi Tel Aviv:

“I’m happy that the club has confidence in me after last season and I’m happy that I can continue this coming year and onwards. It’s a privilege to be part of the Club, the biggest in the country, for at least the next two seasons.”

Looking back and going forward:

“They were things that I had never experienced before. The Champions League, fighting for all of the titles and the pressure to perform. We are getting ready for a new campaign and I’m sure we will do what’s expected of us.”

Eitan Tibi also spoke about staying with the Yellow & Blue:

“I really wanted to continue with the Club and I got along very well with the fans. Over the course of the past four years we were able to do incredible things, win a bunch of titles and I believe that we will continue down the same path. I’m happy to continue with Maccabi.”

Expectations for the new season:

“My desire is stronger than ever especially after last season and I want to make sure we win back what is rightfully ours.”

Thanking the supporters:

“I want to thank the fans for their support and I feel the same way about them. When I prepare for every match they really get me going and I hope that we can make them much happier this year after last year’s results.”

Just a day after joining the training camp in Austria, the Georgian Head Coach, Shota Arveladze will be in charge of his first Yellow & Blue match this evening at 19:00 against FC DAC Dunajska Streda who finished in 7th place in the Slovakian League. Yossi Benayoun will make his debut for Maccabi Tel Aviv in this contest as well.

You can find all of the latest updates from the Austria training camp right here on the Official Website, App and Official Social Networks.

In the video: Training Camp Day Two

Get to know: One of the oldest clubs in Slovakia – DAC Streda

Streda is considered one of the oldest clubs in Slovakian football, was founded in 1904 and survived two world wars after bouncing around the lower leagues for many years. Over the past decade the club played in the first through third divisions finally staying in the top league since 2013/14 while finishing the last two campaigns in 8th and 7th places respectively.

The Club also advanced to the semi finals of the Slovakia Cup in 2014/15 while being eliminated in the quarterfinals this past year.

Erik Pacinda was the squad’s leading goal scorer and finished the season with 10 markers. He’ll be part of this evening’s team along with striker Akos Szarka who has proven to be another dangerous player scoring 15 goals in the past two campaigns.

The second day of training camp saw the Yellow & Blue’s brand new Head Coach Shota Arveladze meet up with the club in Austria. The Georgian who signed with Maccabi on Thursday arrived in the country this morning and officially got to work later in the day.

As soon as Arveladze reached the training camp he had a chance to meet the professional staff along with Jordi Cruyff and will run his first Maccabi practice later this evening. Dan Glazer and Guy Aviv who played with the youth team and Beitar Tel Aviv Ramle this past season also joined the camp.

You can find all of the latest updates from the Austria training camp right here on the Official Website, App and Official Social Networks.