Today, May 13^th, fifteen years ago, Maccabi’s legendary goalkeeper, Alexander Uvaruv played his last game for Maccabi Tel Aviv. Looking back on Uvarov’s career in Israel, we caught up with close friend and former teammate, Alexander Polukarov.

Fifteen years ago today, Maccabi hosted Beitar Jerusalem for the final game of the 1999/00 season. The game will not be remembered for Maccabi's 4-1 victory or the fact that Avi Nimni replaced the goalkeeper, but for the farewell to one of Maccabi’s greatest goalkeepers Alexander 'Shura' Uvarov, who played his last game in Maccabi’s goal.

Alexander Uvarov was Maccabi's first goalkeeper for nine seasons, winning three championships and two State Cups. Uvarov was a phenomenon during his time at the club. In order to explain the 'Shura' phenomenon, we caught up with one of his closest friends, Alexander Polukarov, who made the journey from Moscow to Israel at the beginning of the 1990's with Uvarov.

“I met Uvarov for the first time at the Moscow airport. I did not know him personally but we connected during the flight to Tel Aviv. We started training and took off with the team to the training camp. At the end of the camp, Coach Avram Grant told Uvarov and me that Maccabi were happy with us and they will sign us. That’s where it all started”.

Today, Alexander Polukarov manages a soccer school at the Russian club, Torpedo Moscow. He spoke to us shortly after watching a youth practice at the club. Looking back on their first days in Israel, he recalls how many people would confuse their names: “When we first got there people mixed up our names because they are quite similar. At some point Uvaruv asked to be called Shura, which was how he was called in Moscow. That’s when the nickname started”. Later we learned that the goalkeeper also asked to be called Shura because it was his grandmother’s name.

When thinking of Uvarov most of us have memories of a great goalkeeper. However, Maccabi veterans remember a rough start for him and for Polukarov: “I won’t forget the first games he played in Israel. We didn't play well in the first four games. We let too many goals in and it bothered us a lot. One day, Shura and I sat and reviewed every game and every goal we conceded. We did a lot of homework that day. After that meeting we didn't lose 12 games in a row and eventually we won the championship”.

Shura Uvarov felt great in Israel and Polukarov tries to explain some of the reasons: “Shura stayed because of the fans. He had a great connection with them. The local surroundings were very open and friendly and it made him feel welcome. We had a great team spirit as well. We won together and lost together. Professionally, he was able to play for a long period, and it could have been the main reason for his permanent stay in Israel”.

Polukarov names several characteristics that made Shura the man he is: “The first one is kindness. He never said no to anyone and when he helped someone, he did it from his heart. The second one is his professionalism and persistence”.

Polukarov is one of the most memorable foreigners who played for Maccabi, as he genuinely connected with the club’s culture: “I haven’t had the chance to follow Maccabi for the last six months. Until then I would get my updates from the Internet and from speaking to Shura. I am always happy to hear that Maccabi is winning”.

When Polukarov heard that Shura’s retirement anniversary is around the corner he said he would call to congratulate and to reminisce about the old days: “We haven’t talked since January, but we always keep in touch. I wish Shura to always stay the same as he is now, young and happy, and of course, always number one!”.

 

 

Maccabi Tel Aviv FC  today announced that it has agreed  to a  two year contract extension for Sports Director, Jordi Cruyff, through to the end of the 2016-17 season

 

The Peres Insatiate for Peace ran a Mini World Cup tournament in Herzliya’s football stadium. Mr. Shimon Peres attended the event alongside Herzliya’s mayor, Moshe Fadlon, the chairman of the football association, Ofer Eini, and several state ambassadors. Approximately 400 Jewish and Arab children took part in the event.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C71y05kiHro

Maccabi Tel Aviv’s management was represented by CEO Martin Bain, Sports Director Jordi Cruyff, head coach Pako Ayestaran and the rest of his coaching staff Juan Torrijo, David Caneda and Jose Viela. Team captain Sheran Yeini, Eran Zahavi, Barak Itzhaki and Carlos Garcia represented the players.

Former Israeli president Mr. Shimon Peres, kicked off the games and said: “Football teaches and leads to peace. One day all battle fields will be replaced by football pitches”.

Maccabi’s Sports Director Jordi Cruyff spoke about the importance of such events, and said: “I think it is important to emphasize again and again that football is a good way to unite people, no matter where you come from, what color or religion you have. We have been active as a club and supporting the ‘Peres Center’ to try and make things more known about being together and not separating people because religion or color. The most important things that people outside Israel do not know, and I did not know before I signed here that there’s a lot of Arabs and christens that play in the league and are accepted and loved. We also have players in the youth division and in the first team and we all go hand in hand to reach our objectives. There is no place in our club for bad comments our racism. Our owner always emphasizes that he wants to create a multi-cultural team and we always look for Arab players to join us”.

Maccabi’s captain Sheran Yeini added: “It’s fun being here. There are Arabs and Jews but we don’t see the differences. If as a footballer I notice people in the crowd cursing others, I would take my teammates to explain that all work together, live together and at the end of the day, that we are all human beings”.

 

The State Cup final between Maccabi Tel Aviv and Hapoel Be’er Sheva will be played at the Sammy Ofer Stadium on Wednesday, May 20^th at 20:30.

The Israel Football Association (IFA) released a new ticket allocation:  

1.       Due to the high demand for tickets, and by request of Maccabi Tel Aviv, a draw will be held for Maccabi Tel Aviv season ticket holders (STH) only, and tickets will not be sold via the IFA’s ticket platforms

Each STH may register only once, and purchase a maximum of one ticket. Winners of the draw may purchase their ticket until Monday, May 18^th at 19:00.

2.    Newly allocated tickets for Category '1' will be sold without a service charge.

Click here to register for the draw.

Ticket price for Category ‘1’:

Adult: 90 NIS

Child/Female/Soldier/Student: 45 NIS

Registration for the draw will begin today, Wednesday May 13^th, until Saturday, May 16^th, at 19:00. It will not be possible to register after this.

Winners of the draw will receive a text notification (SMS) that they are able to purchase their ticket. Purchase will be made by presenting a valid season ticket and the SMS, or through an identification process by telephone.

Please note:

Please be accurate when providing your personal information. Winners of the draw will receive the SMS within 24 hours after the draw is made. Purchase details will be provided in the notification. Please remember that the notification will be sent to the cellular number you have given.

A season ticket holder who will be drawn in the raffle, will be required to purchase the ticket; otherwise he/she will be automatically excluded from future draws.

The club is not obliged to provide youth/soldier tickets for youth and soldiers if unavailable.

The draw will be supervised by a CPA.

Registration for the draw is based on the Terms & Conditions.

Maccabi Tel Aviv Coach looks at the positive aspects after the 1:1 draw in Be’er Sheva and already thinks of the match against Kiryat Shmona

Maccabi Tel Aviv will host Ironi Kiryat Shmona on Sunday night, in a game that will determine who will be the league champions. Following the 1-1 draw at Vasermil, Pako admitted that his team have a lot of work to do ahead of Sunday night.The Coach talked about how the game developed: “The final score could have been different if Ben Haim’s attempt wasn’t saved off the line. Be’er Sheva had more chances, but we dictated the pace of the game”.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j7B3lHJVxwQ

Pako talked about his game plan: “In the fist half the plan was to stop Be’er Sheva from creating chances and we did it. Be’er Sheva caused us problems in the second half but they were from set-plays, not from an open play”.

Maccabi Tel Aviv had a very long season, fighting for the league title; the State Cup final is just around the corner (Wednesday 20/5, against Hapoel Be'er Sheva) and have already won the Toto Cup earlier this season.

Pako answered the claims that the players are tired: “They could be, I think that they are going to finish the season playing and training for 51 to 52 weeks out of 54 weeks in a year. Tiredness could be one of the reasons for our lack of performances, but it's not an excuse”.

At the end, Coach Pako mentioned Sunday's game: “I hope we will win the title, but to do so we have to win. I feel I have the responsibility to win the title, I don’t see it as pressure. It doesn’t bother me that we play on Sunday while Be’er Sheva plays on Saturday. It is not ideal but it is not an excuse”.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Maccabi Tel Aviv’s Captain after Be’er Sheva: “It doesn’t feel like the season is over”

Maccabi Tel Aviv is already looking forward towards next week’s fixture against Ironi Kiryat Shmona on Sunday night. The Yellow's captain, Sheran Yeini, was substituted at halftime due to a back injury. “It wasn’t a good game and we need t raise our level because now is the time”, said the captain. “At the end of the day, we increased the gap from Be’er Sheva, and now the title race is against Kiryat Shmona.”

The Captain rejected the claims that his team does not show enough hunger in the final stages of the title race: “We haven’t gotten used to winning championships on a regular basis. All the players, veterans and youngsters are thankful to be able to fight for titles each season. We feel like we need to do more in our own preparation for the game in order to win it”.

“We won’t pretend to say we are playing well. I already said that we are working to improve. It takes time to reach a level of readiness before each game. It does not feel like the end of the season at all. The gap is now only six points and every league game affects our title aspirations”.

The captain spoke about the game against Kiryat Shmona: “We haven’t had easy games against them this season. We play much better in Bloomfield. The crowd is always pushing us and we play in great pace. We need to be ready for it”.

Two crucial players will be absent from Maccabi’s roster next week-Eran Zahavi and Gal Alberman- will be suspended due to yellow cards accumulation. “The beauty of this team is that we always have someone to step in as a replacement”, assured the captain. “We are a good team and we have good players who can impact the game and to cause the opponent to lose its nerves".

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

All tickets for the game against Kiryat Shmona have been sold out within an hour. The club will release an official announcement in case additional tickets will become available for sale

 

 

 

After a great performance, Juan Pablo summarizes the game

On the game: “of course it was a difficult game. I know our fans were expecting us to win it, but we couldn’t. Now we have to think about our game against Kiryat Shmona. We still have to remember that we are one game closer to the title. We know that our performances should be better and we are working hard to improve them”.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j7B3lHJVxwQ

The goalkeeper commented on the fact that Maccabi will meet Hapoel Be’er Sheva in the State Cup final: “It doesn’t worry us because the final is in 10 days, and we have one game beforehand. The next game is always the most important. We want to win the league and the cup, but first of all we have to seal the title against Kiryat Shmona on Sunday”.

Juan Pablo spoke about Maccabi’s form ahead of next week’s important fixtures: “I don’t know if our current form will affect us but I am sure we can win these two games. We will be fully focused on winning both of them. Everybody is thinking that we are not performing well and it is not the same Maccabi. We drew the last two games and everybody thinks that we are in a crisis but it is not the case. We are in the final of the State Cup and in a great position to win the championship. I disagree with people who think that there are easy games in football.

Regarding his future in Maccabi: “Everybody is waiting to hear about next season. I want to stay and first priority to is speak to Maccabi.”