Hapoel Kiryat Shmona Nears Return Home After War Damage
Translated & summarized from Sport5 by baba
Hapoel Kiryat Shmona football club is set to return to its home stadium in Kiryat Shmona after extensive repairs from war damage. The team has been playing "home" games in Netanya since before October 7, 2023. Training is expected to resume at the home stadium by mid-November, with matches potentially resuming by the end of January, possibly including a game against Beitar Jerusalem in February 2027.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Hapoel Kiryat Shmona is nearing a return to its home stadium after war damage.
- Training is expected to resume at the home stadium by mid-November.
- The team aims to host league matches in Kiryat Shmona by the end of January.
- The stadium sustained damage from Hezbollah rocket fire during the "Swords of Iron" war.
- The club has been playing home games in Netanya since before October 7, 2023.
- A potential return match against Beitar Jerusalem is eyed for February 6, 2027.
Hapoel Kiryat Shmona, the northern Israeli football club, is nearing the end of its prolonged period of playing "home" games away from its city. For the fourth consecutive season, the team has been forced to host matches far from Kiryat Shmona, most recently at the Meryam Stadium in Netanya, following a 3-1 loss to Hapoel Tel Aviv two days ago after the international break.
After months of anticipation, the club is working with the municipality and project officials on the rehabilitation of the municipal stadium, which sustained damage from Hezbollah rocket fire during the "Swords of Iron" war. Current estimates suggest that Hapoel Kiryat Shmona will be able to resume training at their home stadium by mid-November, according to messages from the municipality. The ultimate goal is for the team to host its Israeli Premier League matches in Kiryat Shmona by the end of January.
The renovation includes extensive repairs to war damage in the locker rooms, offices, and technical areas of the significantly damaged west stand. The east stand has also been refurbished with new seats imported from abroad and a new turf has been laid. Club officials expressed excitement about the upcoming return, stating, "Our home is our strength. The players and staff are very much looking forward to returning to the city and hosting in Kiryat Shmona, as it was in the past." Upon the team's return to the city, both foreign and Israeli players will reside in Kiryat Shmona once again.
The last home game played by the team in its city stadium was before October 7, 2023. Since then, Kiryat Shmona has had to play its matches elsewhere, including in Netanya. Even after the conflict with Iran, the club's operations were based away from the city, with training sessions held in central Israel.
If all proceeds as planned, the potential return match for the team to its home stadium could be against Beitar Jerusalem on February 6, 2027, as part of the 23rd league round. This fixture could be one of the first games hosted at home if the renovation is completed on schedule. Prior to that, in January, the team is slated to host Hapoel Be'er Sheva and Maccabi Netanya.
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