UEFA relocates Israel’s home games to neutral venue
The Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) has announced that Israel’s home qualifying matches for the Euro 2024 tournament will be played in Hungary, due to security reasons. The decision comes after the recent escalation of violence between Israel and Hamas in Gaza, which has disrupted the normal schedule of the Israeli national team.
Israel, which joined UEFA as a member in 1994, has never qualified for a Euros tournament. It is currently locked in a race with Switzerland and Romania for the top two spots in Group I, which would guarantee a direct ticket to the finals in Germany. Israel has played four games so far, winning two and losing two, and has eight points.
However, Israel’s last two home games, against Switzerland and Romania, were postponed due to the ongoing conflict in Gaza. The games were originally scheduled for October 12 and October 15, respectively. UEFA has now rescheduled them for November 15 and November 18, and relocated them to a neutral country.
Hungary hosts Israel at Pancho Aréna stadium
The venue chosen by UEFA for Israel’s home games is the Pancho Aréna stadium in Felcsút, a small village near Budapest. The stadium belongs to the Puskás Akadémia club, which is named after the legendary Hungarian footballer Ferenc Puskás. The stadium has a capacity of 3,800 spectators and was inaugurated in 2014.
The Pancho Aréna stadium is also notable for being located near the home village of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, who is a keen football fan and supporter of Puskás Akadémia. Orban has been criticized by some for spending public money on building stadiums in rural areas, while neglecting other sectors such as health and education.
Hungary has been a regular host for UEFA-organized games since 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic started. It has also hosted games for Belarus, which is banned from playing at home due to its involvement in the war against Ukraine. Hungary has also offered to host games for Kosovo, which is not recognized by some countries, including Serbia and Russia.
Israel faces tough challenge to qualify for Euro 2024
Israel’s relocation to Hungary poses a challenge for its hopes of qualifying for Euro 2024, as it will lose the home advantage and face unfamiliar conditions. Israel will also have to play four games in 10 days, which could affect its performance and stamina.
Israel’s coach Willi Ruttensteiner said that he respects UEFA’s decision and that his team will do its best to overcome the difficulties. He said that he believes in his players and that they have shown great character and quality in the previous games.
Israel’s captain Eran Zahavi said that he is confident that his team can achieve its goal of qualifying for Euro 2024. He said that he is proud of representing his country and that he hopes to make history by reaching the finals for the first time.
Israel will start its busy schedule on November 12, when it will face Kosovo away. It will then play Switzerland and Romania in Hungary, before ending its campaign on November 21 in Andorra.
