Ex-Hapoel Be'er Sheva Striker Recounts Harrowing Time in Israel

Former Hapoel Be'er Sheva striker Patryk Klimala has described his seven months in Israel in 2023 as a "living hell," detailing a series of traumatic events including a home invasion, an earthquake, a severe injury, and the Hamas attacks of October 7th. Klimala, now playing for FC Seoul in South Korea and competing for the league's top scorer title, shared his experiences in a recent interview.

He recounted being woken by a masked intruder in his home, whom he chased naked while armed with a knife. Shortly after, his bed shook from the major earthquake that struck Turkey. During a match, he suffered a broken jaw and two lost teeth.

Klimala also described the morning of October 7th, hearing air raid sirens around 5:30 AM and retreating to a shelter. He witnessed shrapnel falling on a shopping center opposite his home and saw the Iron Dome intercepting rockets. After waiting over 20 hours at the airport, he managed to secure a flight out of Israel.

The psychological impact of these events was significant. Klimala sought help from a psychologist who treats U.S. special forces and UFC fighters, which he credits with helping him find stability and process difficult memories, including those from his childhood. He noted that even now, the sound of helicopters overhead can trigger sudden memories of his time in Israel, though he finds South Korea to be safe and peaceful.

Klimala joined Hapoel Be'er Sheva in late January 2023, played for half a season, and left after the October 7th war. He subsequently played for clubs in Poland and Australia before joining FC Seoul in the summer of 2025. This current season, he has scored 10 league goals in 25 games.