European competition is upon us. Maccabi Tel Aviv will begin their Europa League campaign this evening (20:00 Israel time) in a first round qualifying tie at Ferencvaros in Budapest, Hungary as the Yellow & Blue will look to advance to the group stages of continental play for the fourth straight season.

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Opening up the European Campaign: Greatest Goals from the First Matches

For all of the latest updates, photos and video clips from Hungary, make sure to stay tuned to the Official Maccabi Tel Aviv Website, App and Social Networks.

This will be the Yellow & Blue’s first official match under new Head Coach Vladan Ivic and the new recruits Itay Shechter, Jair Amador and Enric Saborit will all look to make their debut for the Club. Also with Maccabi in Hungary are players who returned from loan including Dan Glazer, Matan Hozez and Shachar Fiban while Haviv Ohayon will be the second choice keeper for the contest.

Last night, the Club held the final training session at the Groupama Arena, which is considered to be a very homey stadium for Ferencvaros. “We are very excited about the first match of the season,” acknowledged Dor Micha. “We studied our rival very well and they are a tough opponent. We hope that we can continue our European tradition.” The midfielder also spoke about his feelings ahead of the match: “We feel good and we are optimistic as always. We are coming into the match extremely well prepared and ready to go. Our goal is to leave Hungary with a victory.”

Head Coach Vladan Ivic also spoke about the Club’s Budapest based opponent: “This is the first game of the season for both clubs. Maccabi is the biggest club in Israel and Ferencváros is the biggest club in Hungary. There are no favorites in a game like this.”

Avi Rikan added: “We had plenty of time to get ready for the match by playing a number of friendlies. The new players have adapted very well. The professional staff did a good job and we are coming into the game ready to go.”

Fast Facts:

• Five years ago, Maccabi faced their first Hungarian foe in European competition when they played Gyori in the second round of Champions League qualifying. The Yellow & Blue won the opening leg 2:0 to begin a memorable continental campaign under Head Coach Paulo Sousa.
• Should he play, Eitan Tibi will record his 53rd European appearance, Maccabi’s all-time leader in continental play.
• Marcel Heister, who played for Beitar Jerusalem the last couple of season joined Ferencvaros this summer.