Israeli Football Fans Mock Frequent Tel Aviv Derby Draws
Translated & summarized from N12 by baba
The draw for the Israeli State Cup's eighth round on October 29, 2026, pitted rivals Hapoel Tel Aviv and Maccabi Tel Aviv against each other, the same day as their Toto Cup final. Fans reacted with widespread amusement and criticism on social media to the frequent derby scheduling. Many questioned the league's focus on the Tel Aviv derby, with some jokingly suggesting external interference in the draw.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Hapoel and Maccabi Tel Aviv will face each other in the State Cup's eighth round on October 29, 2026.
- The derby draw occurs on the same day as the Toto Cup final between the two clubs.
- Fans reacted with widespread amusement and criticism to the frequent derby scheduling on social media.
- Some users sarcastically suggested Qatari intervention in the draw.
- The repeated draws led to questions about the league's focus on the Tel Aviv derby.
The draw for the eighth round of the Israeli State Cup, held on Thursday, October 29, 2026, sparked widespread amusement and criticism among football fans online. The draw pitted fierce rivals Hapoel Tel Aviv and Maccabi Tel Aviv against each other in this early stage of the competition. This encounter comes on the same day the two clubs are scheduled to meet in the Toto Cup final, leading to a deluge of sarcastic comments on social media.
Fans expressed disbelief and frustration at the repeated scheduling of the Tel Aviv derby, questioning the necessity of other teams in the league. Many joked about the frequency of the derby, with one user humorously asking if there were "700 derbies a year" and another expressing feeling "mentally exhausted" by the prospect of so many matches between the two clubs. The draw also coincided with the teams' league encounters, adding to the sense of derby overload.
Some social media users sarcastically suggested Qatari involvement in fixing the draw, referencing the "Qatari intervention" in the headline. This sentiment was echoed by users who found the repeated derby draws inexplicable. The overall reaction highlighted a sentiment that the league's focus on the Tel Aviv derby overshadowed other teams and matches, leading to a predictable and, for many, tiresome spectacle.
