Sofia
Sofia · 48 stories
Andrade Leaves Maccabi Tel Aviv for Brazil's Recife, Forgoing Back Pay
Maccabi Tel Aviv's Kerwin Andrade has been loaned to Brazilian club Recife, waiving owed salary. Recife has an option to buy him for 2 million euros after a disappointing year in…
Hamas Leader Sinwar Warned of Gaza Escalation Before Oct. 7, Sources Say
Sources close to Mohammed Dahlan claim Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar warned of an impending Gaza escalation in September 2023, passing the information through intermediaries to Israel…
Israel Volleyball Captain Eyes European Championship Success
Israel's national volleyball team captain Noam Ariel spoke about the team's historic European Championship debut, their strong unity, and ambitions for future success, including r…
Israel Urged to Seek Forgiveness from Arab Citizens for Integration Failures
An article argues that Israel should seek forgiveness from its Arab citizens for failing to adequately promote their integration, citing religious tradition and highlighting both…
US Congressman Warns UK Sanctions on Israel Could Harm British Firms in Florida
U.S. Congressman Randy Fine warned that new British sanctions against Israel could lead to British companies facing restrictions in Florida due to the state's anti-boycott laws. H…
Jaffa Farah's Candidacy Suspended, Faten Ghattas Tapped for Second Spot on Front List
The Democratic Front for Peace and Equality council suspended Jaffa Farah's candidacy for the second spot on their parliamentary list and elected Faten Ghattas to that position. F…
Maccabi Tel Aviv Names Noam Ben Harush to Replace Departed Star Roy Rabibo
Maccabi Tel Aviv has named Noam Ben Harush as the likely replacement for departed star left-back Roy Rabibo. The team also anticipates contributions from new signing James Taverni…
Maccabi Tel Aviv Midfielder Loaned to Greek Club Volos with Purchase Option
Maccabi Tel Aviv is loaning midfielder Kervin Andrade to Greek club Volos, who have an option to buy him for 1.6 million euros. The player struggled to make an impact in Israel an…
Israeli Skaters Compete in Junior Grand Prix Figure Skating Event
Israeli figure skaters Simona Tkachman and Isabella Kirillova competed in the Junior Grand Prix event in Bangkok, finishing 13th and 22nd respectively. Russian skaters won the wom…
Hapoel Tel Aviv Fires CEO Oren Hasson Amidst Disagreements
Oren Hasson was fired as CEO of Hapoel Tel Aviv basketball club due to disagreements, with chairman Stav Shaham taking over the role. Hasson believes the decision was not in the t…
Hapoel Tel Aviv Completes Roster with Bruno Caboclo Signing
Hapoel Tel Aviv has signed Bruno Caboclo for two years, completing their roster. The team is also allowing Max Heidegger to practice despite an ongoing dispute, and is heading to…
Max Heidegger Signs with Bulgarian Team Amidst Contract Dispute
American basketball player Max Heidegger has joined a team in Sofia, Bulgaria, while under contract with Bnei Herzeliya in Israel. The Israeli club claims Heidegger cannot play fo…
FIBA Denies Israel's Request to Host Basketball Games Amid Security Concerns
FIBA Europe has denied Israel's request to host international basketball games due to security concerns. This decision forces the Israeli national team and clubs like Hapoel Holon…
Roy Revivo Joins Elche in Spain After Maccabi Tel Aviv Transfer
Maccabi Tel Aviv has sold young left-back Roy Revivo to Spanish club Elche, with his father pushing for a top European league move. The transfer was facilitated by recent team suc…
Israel to Compete in European Volleyball Championship Schedule Announced
The Israeli men's national volleyball team will compete in the European Championship from September 9-26. They are in Group B, playing in Sofia, Bulgaria, with their first match o…
Bulgaria Offers Rich Jewish Heritage and Stunning Nature for Families
A family travelogue details a trip to Bulgaria, focusing on Sofia's Great Synagogue and the rescue of Bulgarian Jews, followed by outdoor adventures in Bansko and the Pirin Mounta…
Maccabi Tel Aviv Dominates Rival, Secures Key Signings
Maccabi Tel Aviv defeated Maccabi Haifa 3-1, with Dor Peretz scoring twice. The club has also re-signed Gabi Kanyevsky and is close to signing James Tavernier, strengthening their…
Lebna Finkelshtein to Receive Lifetime Achievement Award at Ophir Awards
The Israeli Film and Television Academy will present actress Lebna Finkelshtein with a Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2026 Ophir Awards. The 78-year-old veteran performer was r…
Israel Signs Record $3.5 Billion Missile Defense Deal With Greece
Israel and Greece have signed a record $3.5 billion deal for Israel to supply Greece with a comprehensive missile defense system. The agreement, known as "Achilles Shield," includ…
Maccabi Tel Aviv's Ester Sokler Seeks to Replicate Success Amidst Early Struggles
Maccabi Tel Aviv's new Slovenian forward, Ester Sokler, is under pressure to perform after failing to score in his first two games, despite high expectations and teammate support…
Finland and Israel Extend Secret Defense Pact Until 2034
Finland and Israel have extended a secret defense cooperation agreement until 2034, involving joint research, development, and procurement, including Finland's purchase of David's…
Maccabi Tel Aviv Captain and Coach Prepare for Crucial Match Against Maccabi Haifa
Maccabi Tel Aviv's captain Dor Peretz and coach Kenny Miller address the team's recent European elimination and prepare for a key Premier League match against Maccabi Haifa on Aug…
Hapoel Tel Aviv Unveils Squad for Preseason Friendly Against Balkan Botevgrad
Hapoel Tel Aviv will face Balkan Botevgrad in Sofia for their first preseason basketball game of 2026/27, featuring several debuting players, while injured Tomer Ginat will miss t…
Hapoel Tel Aviv Faces Criticism for Training in Sofia Amidst Israeli League Tensions
Hapoel Tel Aviv is criticized for training in Sofia despite stable security in Israel, raising questions about management and fan engagement amid political challenges in Israeli b…
Hapoel Tel Aviv Emerges as Israel’s Strongest Team Amid Maccabi Tel Aviv’s European Failure
Hapoel Tel Aviv is recognized as Israel’s strongest football team after a competitive European showing, while Maccabi Tel Aviv faced a major European failure due to poor squad pre…
Maccabi Tel Aviv Eliminated From European Competition in August for First Time Since 2022
Maccabi Tel Aviv was eliminated from European competition in August after losing to FC Lugano in the Conference League playoff, marking a disappointing summer under owner Mitch Go…
Hapoel Tel Aviv Shows Promise While Maccabi Struggles Ahead of Israeli Football Season
Hapoel Tel Aviv showed strong performance despite European elimination, signaling growth and readiness for the domestic season. Meanwhile, Maccabi Tel Aviv failed to meet expectat…
Israeli Basketball Legends, Women's Hall of Fame Dispute, and Coach of Kevin Durant Featured on Double Dribble
Double Dribble's new episode highlights Miki Berkovich's dementia battle, Anat Draygor's Hall of Fame boycott, Noam Yaakov's NCAA eligibility issues, Tel Aviv teams' training star…
Outgoing Hapoel Tel Aviv Manager Criticizes Club's Fan Alienation and Management Failures
Ittai Berger, outgoing manager of Hapoel Tel Aviv basketball, criticizes club management for alienating fans and losing the team's identity, leading to his resignation. He highlig…
Maccabi Tel Aviv Seeks Fan Support in Batumi to Avoid Early European Exit
Maccabi Tel Aviv relocated their home games to Batumi, Georgia, to attract Israeli fans and improve their European campaign. After being punished with a fan ban for pyrotechnics…
Hapoel Tel Aviv's Ironclad Defense Poised for European Upset Against Atalanta
Hapoel Tel Aviv has developed a formidable defense within a year, highlighted by a 0-0 draw against Atalanta in the Conference League playoffs. Built through strategic scouting an…
Fenerbahce Returns to Champions League, Viking Makes Historic Debut
Fenerbahce defeated Lyon 2-1 to return to the Champions League group stage for the first time since 2008/09. Viking FK made history by qualifying for the Champions League for the…
Champions League Draw Set Without Hapoel Be'er Sheva as 32 Teams Qualify
The 2026-27 UEFA Champions League draw will proceed without Israeli club Hapoel Be'er Sheva, with 32 teams qualified and four spots pending. The group stage starts September 8, an…
Hapoel Tel Aviv Rated Higher Than Maccabi Tel Aviv in EuroLeague Title Odds Ahead of 2026/27 Season
Ahead of the 2026/27 EuroLeague season, Olympiacos is the favorite to win again, while Israeli team Hapoel Tel Aviv ranks fifth in title odds, significantly ahead of Maccabi Tel A…
EuroLeague Hosts Supercup in Dubai Amid Israeli Teams' Home Game Restrictions
The EuroLeague will hold its Supercup in Abu Dhabi in September, featuring top European teams and the Dubai host team, while Israeli clubs continue to play home games abroad due t…
Maccabi Tel Aviv Opens Israeli Premier League with 5-2 Win Over Hapoel Jerusalem
Maccabi Tel Aviv defeated Hapoel Jerusalem 5-2 in the Israeli Premier League opener, with Dor Peretz scoring a hat-trick. Despite an early setback, Maccabi dominated the match, wh…
Maccabi Tel Aviv Overwhelms Hapoel Jerusalem 5-2 with Dor Peretz Hat-Trick
Maccabi Tel Aviv's Varela Assists and Gets Injured Ahead of Lugano Clash
Maccabi Tel Aviv winger Helio Varela assisted a goal but was injured during a match against Hapoel Jerusalem, casting doubt on his availability for the upcoming second-leg against…
Maccabi Tel Aviv's Roy Revivo Vows Commitment Amid Transfer Saga
Maccabi Tel Aviv defender Roy Revivo addressed fans amid stalled transfer talks and team struggles, pledging full commitment while acknowledging his desire to play abroad. His mes…
Hapoel Tel Aviv Begins EuroLeague Preparations in Sofia Ahead of September Return to Israel
Hapoel Tel Aviv began its EuroLeague preseason training in Sofia without key Israeli national players. The team will return to Israel for the Super Cup on September 17 before resu…
Hapoel Tel Aviv's Borislav Maladanov Shines in Preseason Game Against Angola
Borislav Maladanov, a Bulgarian player signed by Hapoel Tel Aviv a year ago and loaned to Vienna, led his team with 16 points in a recent preseason loss to Angola. He has shown st…
Maccabi Tel Aviv Faces Crisis After Conference League Playoff Loss to Lugano
Maccabi Tel Aviv suffered a 2-1 loss to Lugano in the Conference League playoffs, sparking player criticism of management's lack of summer signings and fears of a poor season. Des…
Maccabi Tel Aviv Defender Roy Revivo Faces Transfer Turmoil Over Elche Move
Israeli defender Roy Revivo seeks a transfer from Maccabi Tel Aviv to Spanish club Elche, but negotiations have stalled amid disputes over transfer fees, unpaid bonuses, and new c…
Maccabi Tel Aviv Falls 2-1 to Lugano in Conference League Playoff First Leg
Maccabi Tel Aviv lost 2-1 to Lugano in Switzerland in the first leg of the Conference League playoff. Despite an equalizer by Ido Shahar, Lugano dominated and scored a late penalt…
Maccabi and Hapoel Tel Aviv Battle for Conference League Spots Against Strong European Opponents
Maccabi Tel Aviv and Hapoel Tel Aviv face strong European teams in Conference League playoffs, while Hapoel Be'er Sheva edges closer to Champions League qualification after a home…
Maccabi Tel Aviv Striker Sayed Abu Freih Travels to Switzerland Despite Colorado Rapids Transfer Deal
Maccabi Tel Aviv striker Sayed Abu Freih will join the team in Switzerland for a Conference League match despite his transfer to Colorado Rapids being finalized. He is expected to…
Maccabi Tel Aviv Ready for Lugano Clash with Key Players Fit
Maccabi Tel Aviv prepares for their UEFA Conference League playoff match against Lugano with key players Mohamed Ali Kamara and Issouf Sisoko fit to play, while planned protests i…
Hapoel Tel Aviv Begins Season Preparations Without Point Guard Tamir Blatt
Hapoel Tel Aviv begins preseason training without point guard Tamir Blatt, who is not in coach Dimitris Itoudis's plans. Despite signing a three-year contract, the club is seeking…