FILED UNDER SOMETHINGISRAELI >> Sport
Football
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The UEFA Cup draw for the competition’s group stage was Tuesday at 2 p.m. in Nyon, Switzerland. All of the heads of Israeli soccer team Hapoel Tel Aviv were on hand for the event, with some of them making the trip prior to Yom Kippur.
The draw determined that Hapoel will play in group G along with Panathinaikos FC (GRE), Paris Saint-Germain FC (FRA), AFC Rapid Bucuresti (ROU) and FK Mladá Boleslav (CZE).
The team hoped to draw teams that would attract a large crowd, such as Italy’s Parma and Ajax Amsterdam, but can find consolation in the fact that Hapoel will be able to host its home games in Israel, this after UEFA forced Israeli teams to play abroad throughout the Lebanon war.
Team captain Yossi Abuksis: “Despite the difficult fast on Yom Kippur, it was hard not to think of the draw. It’s very exciting and important, and I hope we get to play against good teams.”
About NIS 1.5 million ($340,000) will be divided among the Hapoel Tel Aviv players as a bonus for qualifying to the group stage.
Reproduced with permission: Ynet