Long Stoppages Become Tradition in Tel Aviv Derby Matches
Translated & summarized from N12 by baba
The Tel Aviv derby between Maccabi and Hapoel was delayed by nine minutes due to flares, extending stoppage time and continuing a trend of reduced actual playing time in these matches. Recent derbies have seen an average of only 46.57% of game time played, significantly lower than the league average. This has led to multiple instances of extended added time, including a 15-minute period in a January derby.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Tel Aviv derby delayed 9 minutes by flares, continuing a trend of long stoppages.
- Recent derbies average only 46.57% actual playing time, below league average.
- Extended stoppage time has become a recurring feature in recent derby matches.
- One derby in January saw 15 minutes of added time due to a lengthy delay.
- A derby in January 2026 lasted over an hour gross with only 25 minutes of play.
The recent Tel Aviv derby between Maccabi and Hapoel Tel Aviv was significantly delayed due to the lighting of flares, leading to extended stoppage time. The match was halted for nine minutes because of the pyrotechnics, a continuation of a trend seen in recent derby games. Data analysis from 365 and Opta reveals that in recent Israeli Premier League derbies, an average of only 46.57% of the game time was actually played. This contrasts with the league average of 52% actual playing time. In 2026, the average playing time was even lower. Consequently, these matches have seen prolonged added time, including a 15-minute stoppage in a derby where Hapoel Tel Aviv won in January, and a 10-minute addition in another league encounter. The Toto Cup final also experienced an eight-and-a-half-minute delay due to flares, resulting in nine minutes of added time and a total half duration of 54 minutes gross. Previous halves have also been lengthy, with one in September 2026 lasting 55:57 minutes gross, featuring only 25:52 minutes of actual play. Another derby in January 2026 had a total duration of 60:08 minutes gross, with 25:01 minutes of play. A derby in October 2025 was not played at all due to flares, and a January 2024 derby saw 28:10 minutes of play within a 51:58 minute gross half.
