During the events of the recent days Hapoel Tel Aviv approached the club after hearing our evidence and presentation of the facts during the arbitration. As a result, Maccabi accepted a financial settlement for the transfer of Ben Reichart which we are very satisfied with.

 

 

Kobi Alfasi who has been working at Maccabi Tel Aviv FC as part of the coaching staff since 2011, agreed to leave the club by mutual consent

On Tuesday morning Maccabi Tel Aviv will fly to the Czech Republic for the return leg of UEFA Champions League third round qualifying. After landing in Prague during the early afternoon the club will travel 95 km to the city of Plzen. If you're traveling for the match or if you just want to learn about the city where the Yellow-and-Blue will play the following day, this will be exactly what you need

Geography

Plzen is the fourth largest city in the Czech Republic with a population of 170,000 people. Plzen or Pilsen as it's also referred to, is located in western area of the Czech Republic and borders Germany in an area called Bohemia. The Czech Koruna is the local currency and 1 Koruna is worth 15 Agurot.

History

The first mention of Plzen in world history dates back to the year 976 where a castle was the site of a battle between two monarchs. In 1939 when the city was then part of Czechoslovakia, it was captured by the Nazis and eventually liberated by the Allied Forces in 1945. The German speaking population of Plzen who joined the Nazis were expelled from the city and their property confiscated following the liberation. In 1942 over 2,000 Jews living in Plzen were deported to the Theresienstadt concentration camp which was used as both an extermination and transit camp for the tens of thousands of Jews who were murdered in the Holocaust.

Culture

Plzen is a city of culture and together with Mons of Belgium earned the European Cultural City of the Year award. The city streets are built in the Baroque style and to this day there is a concerted effort by the Czech Republic and especially in Plzen to maintain the historical buildings that populate the country. If modern structure is your calling them you can check out the huge shopping center which was built by Israeli entrepreneurs and is located very close to the city center.

Weather and electricity

Today in Israel we are experiencing a heat wave but those that will travel to Plzen should be treated to 29 degrees Celsius with 50% humidity. On Matchday the weather will be very pleasant as the balance of the week the temperature will soar to 36 degrees. Electricity outlets are the same as in Israel.

Beer

The first thing that enters your mind when you hear the word Plzen is beer and that's exactly what the locals will tell you as well. The "Pilsner Urquell" beer was produced in 1842 by Josef Groll and is considered to be the first ever lager beer. Pilsner Urquell is still considered to this day as one of the oldest and popular beers in Europe.

Another beer that enthusiasts will be familiar with is Gambrinus which is brewed in Plzen. Right behind the Doosan Arena is a brewery that the club's supporters enjoy visiting its pub for a drink before kickoff.

Cars

Many people don't know this but the Skoda vehicle manufacturer was first established by a Czech company in 1895 that produced motorcycles and scooters and in 1905 they made their first car. Today, Skoda is one of the largest players in the Czech Republic economy and is owned by Volkswagen, the German carmaker after it was privatized by the government.

Judaism

One of the biggest tourist sites in Plzen is connected to Judaism and should not be missed. The Great Synagogue cornerstone was laid in 1888 and was originally designed by the Viennese architect named Fleischer. However in 1890 the plans were adjusted to include a mix of Romantic and neo-Renaissance styles covered with Oriental decorations and a giant Star of David. The Great Synagogue was completed three years later and is now a museum that is visited by many people from around the world.

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Maccabi Tel Aviv won last night's Tel Aviv derby 3:1 after coming back from a goal down thanks to markers by Igiebor, Zahavi & Ben Chaim.

The Yellow-and-Blue controlled ball possession for most of the match and dominated the tempo for almost the full 90 minutes. One of the players who had an opportunity to show his wares was youngster Dor Peretz who played an excellent match in the holding midfielder position.

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Peretz said after the game:

"It's a terrific feeling after a hot derby where we were in the hole but came back big time. We controlled the pace of the match but there were times when Hapoel also controlled the ball, however all in all we were more dominant on the pitch.

Coach Slavisa Jokanovic put trust in Peretz's game and he was happy about that: "This match gave me the feeling that the coach had trust in me especially after having to watch the last few games from the stands."

The midfielder also commented on how this win felt after losing the prior match to Plzen: "As an athlete you finish the game, and win or lose you're already thinking about the next one. This evening we were able to show what we are capable of and we're already preparing for the away match in in Plzen.

Veteran midfielder Nosa Igiebor talked about scoring against his former club, this coming season and the Champions League qualifying match in Plzen later on this week.

Did you enjoy to score against your ex-team Hapoel Tel Aviv?

It's emotional when you score against a team that you played for. But Maccabi brought me over to play for them and if I have an opportunity to score against Hapoel again I will.

You had a good connection with the last coach and you seem to have an excellent one with coach Jokanovic.

I think with Pako I was in good shape as he always wanted me to be safe with the pass and keep the ball. This year so far with Coach Jokanovic, he is letting me play more offensively.

Do you think that this will be a breakout year for you this season?

The main thing is that I should be fit and keep away from injuries.

How did you feel after the loss to Viktoria Plzen?

I didn't sleep as I thought about the game all through the night especially what we did right and what we did wrong. I tried to figure out why we did not win the game as they are not that great a team. They were organized and we'll have another opportunity to correct the mistakes we made. We will go to Plzen to fight and we will see what will happen at the end of the day.

Do you believe that you can defeat Plzen by at least 2:0 away?

If they were able to come here and win 2:1 then we have to believe that we can go there and win too.

The coach said that the team is to dependent on Eran Zahavi. What do you think?

Eran Zahavi is an important player on the team. But what the coach is saying is that everyone has to step up. I see that players are trying to step up.    

Do you want to see Maccabi Tel Aviv play in Plzen? Then We've got a deal for you!

Maccabi Tel Aviv is leaving on Tuesday to the Czech Republic prior to the return leg against Viktoria Plzen in Champions League qualification. Do you want join them? Then we've got a special deal for you!

How does it work?

Purchase the travel package from Disenhaus for the match in Plzen and use this special coupon for a $25 discount!

http://bit.ly/1VKUPku

What's included?

Flights:

5/8 Ben Gurion – Prague 9:00

8/8 Prague – Ben Gurion 23:50

Hotel:

Olympik 4*

Match ticket for Viktoria Plzen vs Maccabi Tel Aviv

Transfers from the airport to hotel

Transfers from Prague to the match in Plzen

Following Maccabi Tel Aviv's 3:1 derby victory over Hapoel, winger Tal Ben Chaim spoke about the match and the games against Plzen.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1NWjBYBebpw

How does it feel to begin with a goal in the Toto Cup Derby?

I hope we can win the Treble just as we did last year. We didn't begin the game like we wanted to but I'm very happy that we won the game and that we won the derby. We accomplished what we set out to do tonight.

You came into the match in the second half. How did that have an effect on the team?

I want to see Maccabi as good as they can play. We all want each other to succeed. In general most matches open up in the sound half and that's what happened tonight. Myself, Zahavi, Igiebor came in and I'm happy we were able to win the game.

After the match against Plzen what did you discuss with the coach?

The coach told me after the match against Plzen what I did well and things that I could have done better. Whatever was said between us is exactly that, just between the two of us.

Are things this season working out so far on the pitch, sometimes it appears that the team is struggling?

In don't think that's correct. Look back at last year at the same time we defeated Hapoel 1:0 in the Toto Cup derby and we just began coming together as a team. The match wasn't played at the highest level and we also were eliminated from European competition. You have to remember that we are also coming off of a break and we are still getting match fit. It doesn't bother me that we aren't playing yet at 100% as its only August 1st. We are going to head to Plzen and we are planning on doing the best we can. 

Maccabi Tel Aviv Head Coach Slavisa Jokanovic spoke to the press following his team's 1:3 derby victory over Hapoel Tel Aviv at Bloomfield Stadium.

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 What are your thoughts on tonight's Derby win over Hapoel Tel Aviv?

We are a better team than they are but we always seems to make a mistake. We have chances and then they score which complicates matters for us. We have to be more organized and concentrate on the small details.

In the first half we had possession of the ball, but it's clear that the team depends on Eran Zahavi. When he came in we became a much more dangerous team. I need more players that can make a difference in the game.

I know that this is the big Israeli derby but we have a very important game in a few days and I tried to set up this match in order to split up the minutes for different players. I didn't start with Zahavi as to not use up a lot of his strength thinking ahead to the game in Plzen.

You gave some players chances today to play, how did they perform?

Eitan Tibi for example played tonight and is a very important player for the squad. I plan to use all three of my central defenders throughout the year. He plays for the Israel National team and did a great job. I am still trying to figure out what the best XI will be more Maccabi Tel Aviv.

Why was Barak Itzhaki not in the squad?

I had to keep someone out of the squad and he had a bit of an issue so we decided to not take any chances and have him ready for the match in Plzen.

How are you preparing for the Champions League qualifying match against Plzen?

We have to be positive and make sure we are ready so we can have a chance to go though to the next round. Viktoria Plzen was good, but we gave them many gifts and we have a chance to win just as they did in the next game. We lost a chance at home against them but we have to believe that we can win and push ahead 120%.

 

 

Maccabi Tel Aviv played their first derby of the season against Hapoel Tel Aviv in the Toto Cup competition and took it to their rivals defeating the Reds 1:3 at Bloomfield Stadium

Three unanswered goals in the second half by Maccabi who was the away team, will give them the confidence they need as they head to Plzen for the second-leg of the UEFA Champions League third round qualifying match in the Czech Republic on Wednesday night.

The Yellow-and-Blue controlled the flow and tempo for much of the first half keeping possession of the ball for large amounts of time but couldn't find the back of the Hapoel goal. Eden Ben Basat, Avi Rikan and Dor Peretz all had chances before Claudiu Bumba gave Maccabi a scare with a blistering shot that went over Juan Pablo's goal. Maccabi's midfielder Gili Vermouth who was playing his first match against his former club showed terrific ball movement throughout the scoreless first 45 minutes of play as he was booed by the Hapoel faithful each time he touched the ball.

However a flurry of second half goals by the Yellow-and-Blue put away Hapoel. The Reds opened the scoring in the 49th minute with a goal by Eyad Abu Abaid who found a way to put the ball into the back of the Maccabi goal off a scrum in the box to give the home side a short lived 1:0 lead. This forced Maccabi coach Slavisa Jokanovic to make a number of substitutions, bringing in Eran Zahavi, Omri Ben Harush and Nosa Igiebor who joined Tal Ben Chaim who came on at the start of the half.

First it was Igiebor who beat Reds 'keeper Ariel Harush off a beauty of a pass by Zahavi in the 67th minute. Then it was Eran Zahavi's turn just four minutes later as he put the ball in the goal off a Ben Harush helper and Tal Ben Chaim sealed the deal with a scorcher of a shot from 17 meters out to make the score line 1:3 as the fans celebrated the victory.