The MTA squad have arrived in Cyprus ahead of tomorrow night's match against Santa Coloma
This afternoon the MTA squad, along with the coaching staff, arrived in the Cypriot city of Larnaca where tomorrow night they'll "host" the second leg of their Chamapions League 2nd round qualifier against FC Santa Coloma at the Antonis Papadopoulos Stadium, home of Cypriot side Anorthosis Famagusta. Later in the day the team are expected to hold a final pre-match practice and a news conference ahead of the match that will start tomorrow at 8.30pm Israeli time.
This "home" leg was moved to Cyprus due to the security situation in Israel, but the players themselves still have their hearts close to home and initiated the funding of a group of youngsters from the areas closest to the conflict (and two accompanying parents) to join them in Cyprus to see the match as their special guests. The youngsters will also visit the pre-match practice and receive a gift package of Maccabi Tel Aviv merchandise courtesy of the squad.
Another effect of the security situation is the club's decision to transfer the benefit for season ticket holders of a free ticket to the match to the parallel fixture in the third round. This of course on condition that Maccabi advance to that round and that the home leg may be played in Israel.
Tickets for tomorrow night's contest in Larnaca are available at the website of the "Leaan" ticket agency at a cost of NIS 55. Tickets will also be available at the Antonis Papadopoulos Stadium ticket office for the price of NIS 50 (€10). Tickets bought online will also be distributed at the local stadium ticket office starting two hours prior to kick-off. A photocopy of your passport will be required to collect your ticket.
In other news it was announced this morning that former Maccabi Tel Aviv star Amos Zelotolov has passed away. The defender was a regular member of the Maccabi squad starting in 1961, making 194 appearances before leaving the club in 1969.
