3,000 Beitar Jerusalem Fans Travel to Romania for Crucial Conference League Match

Approximately 3,000 Beitar Jerusalem supporters will attend the second-leg Conference League qualifier against AEK Larnaca in Bucharest on Thursday at 20:30. The club claims that if more flights were available, the crowd could have been twice as large, reflecting the strong enthusiasm following the sale of 20,000 season tickets. Beitar officials expressed that the fans' support both domestically and abroad is heartwarming.

Romanian authorities are aware of previous violent incidents between the teams in Cyprus and will deploy a large police presence to maintain order. Strict security checks will be conducted at the stadium entrance to prevent the entry of flares, weapons, and drugs. Police have stated they will show zero tolerance toward any disturbances, prompting Beitar to send a letter urging fans to avoid any misconduct. Fan leaders on site have also requested supporters focus solely on cheering the team to prevent arrests.

On the sporting front, Beitar captain Yarden Shua remains unfit to start due to a lingering virus contracted during training two weeks ago. He will undergo further tests and may only participate later in the match. Jonathas Calu is expected to replace him in the starting lineup. The club is cautious not to rush Shua’s recovery to avoid jeopardizing his availability for the potential next round against Austria Vienna. Beitar holds a narrow 1-0 advantage from the first leg, and coaching staff Almog Cohen, Aviram Baruchian, and Moshe Ohayon have warned players to prepare for a challenging and open contest.