Former Hapoel Be'er Sheva Player Calls Israel Experience 'Hell on Earth'

Patrick Klimala, a former striker for Hapoel Be'er Sheva, described his seven-month stint in Israel as "hell on earth," recounting a series of traumatic events that led to his departure. Shortly after arriving, Klimala experienced a home invasion by masked robbers, whom he pursued naked with a knife. This was followed by a mattress-shaking earthquake, a fractured jaw and two broken teeth during a match, and the outbreak of war.

During the war, Klimala recalled hearing air raid sirens at 5:30 AM and rushing to a shelter, witnessing Iron Dome intercepting rockets and debris falling near his home. The escalating violence convinced him he needed to leave. "I contacted the club because I knew I couldn't stay there," he stated. "I waited at the airport for over 20 hours before I finally managed to get a ticket and escape."

Klimala reported that the fear for his life took a significant mental toll. He found solace and began to recover after a boxer introduced him to a psychologist who works with U.S. special forces and UFC fighters. "I finally started to regain a sense of stability," he said, adding that therapy helped him confront childhood memories and manage his aggressive tendencies.

Klimala is currently playing for FC Seoul in the Korean league, where he has scored 10 goals in 25 appearances. During his tenure with Hapoel Be'er Sheva from January 2023 to January 2024, he played 23 games, scoring 4 goals and providing one assist.