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Former Maccabi Assistant Coach Recalls Hostile Rivalry With Hapoel Tel Aviv
How 2 Israeli newsrooms covered this story — translated into English and compared side by side.
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First reported by N12 · Aug 3, 2026
What happened
Josep Maria Berrocal, former Maccabi Tel Aviv assistant coach, recounted intense rivalry with Hapoel Tel Aviv, including hostile fan behavior and internal team conflicts during 2023-2024. He praised the Menora Mivtachim Arena atmosphere despite challenges that led to his departure amid team upheaval.
- 01Josep Maria Berrocal was assistant coach for Maccabi Tel Aviv during 2023-2024.
- 02Maccabi nearly reached the Final Four both years before team breakup due to war and departures.
- 03Berrocal experienced hostile acts from Hapoel Tel Aviv fans, including slashed tires.
- 04He praised the Menora Mivtachim Arena as the best basketball atmosphere he encountered.
- 05Internal coaching disagreements at Maccabi were intense and frequent.
- 06Berrocal highlighted the pressure and rivalry when playing against Hapoel Tel Aviv.
Summary translated & synthesized from the sources below by baba. Read each original for the full report.
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