Hapoel Be'er Sheva Faces Unusual Challenge Hosting Celta Vigo in Bucharest

Hapoel Be'er Sheva is set to host Celta Vigo in the Europa League at the Giulești Stadium in Bucharest, home of Rapid Bucharest. However, the Israeli champions may face a unique situation where a significant portion of the crowd supports the Spanish team due to the presence of Celta Vigo's Romanian goalkeeper, Ionuț Radu. Radu, who also plays for the Romanian national team, is expected to draw thousands of local fans eager to see their compatriot play in his home country.

Romanian media have expressed enthusiasm about Celta Vigo's visit, describing Be'er Sheva's hosting as a "huge gift for Romanian football fans." While Romanians had hoped Be'er Sheva would qualify for the Champions League group stage, their disappointment was shared, and now their focus shifts to the Europa League, where Be'er Sheva is seen as a "fostered team." Radu's return to Bucharest is particularly notable as he began his youth career at Steaua Bucharest and is well-regarded locally.

Despite officially hosting the match and paying a six-figure sum to use Rapid Bucharest's stadium, Be'er Sheva risks hearing cheers directed at the opposing goalkeeper. The atmosphere could shift significantly if Radu does not start the match. Additionally, local police plan to limit attendance to 13,000 spectators for each of Be'er Sheva's four games in Bucharest, below the stadium's full capacity, which may impact ticket availability amid high demand, especially for the upcoming match against Juventus.