Hapoel Kiryat Shmona Wins First League Match Amid Stadium Woes

Hapoel Kiryat Shmona secured their first victory of the 2026/27 Israeli Premier League season on Saturday, defeating Ironi Tiberias 2-0. The win brought relief to the team, especially after a disappointing start to the season, and the club expressed satisfaction with returning to their previous form.

The team praised the contribution of their new foreign signings, Amadou Sagna and Rufat Dadazade, who scored their debut goals in the league, alongside midfielder Alex Sola. "We hit the mark with the foreigners? Time will tell, but for now, it seems this year's foreigners can surpass last year's," a club source commented, noting the recent success of former player Kristian Martnez who qualified Slovan Bratislava for the Champions League.

Goalkeeper Daniel Tannenbaum, who kept a clean sheet, highlighted the team's spirit despite their displacement. "There's something very special about this team, especially since we don't have a home," Tannenbaum stated. "It's cruel that we are here in the center. I know if we were playing in Kiryat Shmona now, we would have more points with our fans and at our home ground. It's completely different. I've really connected with the club, the players, and the staff. You could say I've found a home in Kiryat Shmona."

The most significant challenge for the club remains their prolonged absence from their home stadium. This marks the fourth consecutive season Hapoel Kiryat Shmona has been forced to play home games at the Meryem Stadium in Netanya, with training sessions also held away from their northern home. Despite extensive renovation work on their stadium, there is no clear timeline for their return, leading to frustration within the club. "The feeling is that things are simply not moving," a club official lamented.

Project officials have assured the club's management that work will accelerate this week. While the new turf is nearly ready, new stadium seats have not yet arrived from abroad, and renovations on locker rooms and facilities are ongoing. On the professional front, defender Ovadia Dervish missed the match due to a groin strain but is expected to return to gradual training this week ahead of their upcoming away game against Hapoel Jerusalem.