This week last year

Ahead of next week’s game in Vasermil, we take a look back into last year’s meeting between Maccabi Tel Aviv and Hapoel Be’er Sheva when the yellows won the league for the second year in a row

Monday, May 3^rd 2014 at 4:00pm. A convoy of cars with yellow scarves is making its way down south to Vasermil Stadium in Be’er Sheva. Maccabi was scheduled to face Elisha Levi’s team later that evening and the yellow fans could already sense the victory celebrations at the end of the game, celebrations for winning the league title for the second year running.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vcnGM6SMl-k

Paulo Sousa’s players walked onto the pitch for the first time at 7:20pm. While Maccabi fans did not enjoy the last two visits to Be’er Sheva, they felt something different in the air. Maccabi needed one point in order to clinch the title, but it wasn’t enough for Eran Zahavi.

Sousa sent the following 11 to the field: Juan Pablo, Sheran Yeini, Eitan Tibi, Carlos Garcia, Omri Ben Harush, Gal Albermann, Maharan Radi, Eran Zahavi, Tal Ben Haim, Dor Micha and Barak Basash.

It took only 12 minutes for Eran Zahavi to get on the scoring sheet following an assist from Dor Micha. The champagne was getting ready when Tal Ben Haim was fouled in the box in the 31^st minute. Zahavi made it 2-0 from the spot, and his 23^rd of the season. No one could have thought Zahavi would be so close to reach the all time record of goals per season.

The fans sang love to their beloved team during halftime, getting ready for the post game celebrations. A penalty by Dovev Gabay at the 84^th minute did not spoil the festive mood and the fans were well prepared to rejoice with their players as soon as the referee called the game. Maccabi Tel Aviv would have just won the second championship in a row and its 21^st overall.

“It was an amazing season for the whole Maccabi family, but especially for the players”, said coach Paulo Sousa who had to change shirts after being showered with champagne. “I hope we continue to grow in the future in order to have greater consistency”.

Eran Zahavi, who scored the two winning goals, and the player to become the Winner League top scorer said: “It’s an incredible feeling. We are ecstatic. We’ve been waiting for this moment for so long. I believe in this team and in the club and I think this club deserves to return to the Champions League to enjoy the experience”.