Beitar Jerusalem took home the Toto Cup with a convincing 2-0 win over Hapoel Tel Aviv in what was a much anticipated matchup after the Reds had defeated the yellow-and-black in dramatic fashion in Israeli league play over a month ago. While the Toto Cup preseason tournament is usually played in July and August as a warmup for the regular season, a final featuring these two clubs was definitely not going to be just any exhibition match but a real deal all out clash.

However, prior to the game, that clash was potentially going to be one that would take place off of the pitch with the fans and police after the unfortunate incidents at the Tel Aviv Derby at Bloomfield Stadium just a couple of weeks ago.

With the threats of flares and smoke grenades being thrown onto the pitch as well as violence on the docket which were the reasons why the Derby had been abandoned, the police in Haifa were going to take no chances as no one or no action that could harm anyone was going to be tolerated.

Thankfully, the evening went off without any major hitch as both fan bases just lit flares in their respective end zones and no more than that.

Beitar put the pedal to the metal as the match kicked off with the Barak Itzhaki’s team looking to set the tone early and often with high pressure, intensity and plenty of aggressiveness. Hapoel didn’t seem to know how to respond in the first half to everything and the kitchen sink being thrown at them which ended up resulting in a Dor Micha strike in the box off a smart pass by captain Yarden Shua to head into halftime holding a 1-0 lead.

The second half saw Reds Head Coach Elyaniv Barda make a triple substitution to freshen up the attack which did result in a bit more active play from his squad, but Johnbosco Kalu found the back of the goal to go up 2-0. Stav Turiel scored a late consolation marker as the match ended with Beitar lifting the trophy and celebrating with their supporters in the south end of Sammy Ofer Stadium.

Winning a piece of hardware for both Beitar’s Itzhaki and Yarden Shua was not only a thrill but also important for their own legacies. As a young head coach trying to build up a resume, capturing the Toto Cup was just what the doctor ordered plus he also knew that he had a lot more to lose than Hapoel should he have not guided his team to the win after Hapoel had already beaten Beitar in league play.

The week couldn’t have gone any better for Itzhaki with a league win over Hapoel Haifa and now the Toto Cup which came after the club played to a dry goalless draw with Ashdod at home in front of close to 25,000 fans. With Hapoel Beer Sheva coming to Teddy Stadium on Monday, there’s no question that the match will be sold out as the fans are on a real high following such a terrific week.

For Barda, his team lost two contests this week which included a defeat at Maccabi Netanya just prior to the Toto Cup final and he knows that his team needs to get back on track or else it could possibly go into a free fall. After their last week at the end of September over Hapoel Haifa, the Reds have struggled to find their footing and they need to be careful that the winless streak comes to an end this weekend when they host Ironi Tiberias. While on paper this seems to be an easy clash for Hapoel, they also are very well aware that this Tiberias team drew with Maccabi Haifa this past weekend.

While Barda was no doubt disappointed from his side’s showing and not being able to hoist a trophy, he also took a step back and put everything into proportion with a moving ceremony with injured soldiers Guy Leibel and Shlomi Klar from the Iron Swords war along with greeting Orian Abargil when the medals were handed out.

All three are accompanied by the IDF Disabled Veterans Organization, which has held a place of honor in the official ceremonies of the League Administration over the past two years. The IDF Disabled Veterans Organization operates four Beit HaLochem(Soldier’s House) rehabilitation centers and five regional branches, providing inspiring rehabilitation support for injured soldiers.

Before the outbreak of the Iron Swords war, the organization was assisting 53,369 wounded IDF and security forces veterans. Since the war began, more than 20,000 additional wounded soldiers have joined their care.

Guy Leibel who is a 27 year old Hapoel Tel Aviv fan from Ramat HaSharon was injured during the first round of fighting and required back surgery followed by a long rehabilitation process at Beit HaLochem. Despite his injury, he returned to active service and took part in the unit’s fourth deployment, his second. Guy completed about 240 reserve service days in Gaza, persevering through his injury with steadfast dedication to continue serving.

32-year old Shlomi Klar from Jerusalem is a Beitar Jerusalem fan who served in the Alexandroni Brigade, Battalion 9203, as a platoon sergeant. He was injured on June 20, 2024, during a combat incident in which nine of his comrades were wounded. Shlomi suffered shrapnel injuries to his head and nerve damage to his right hand, requiring surgery and hospitalization. In that tragic event, two of his fellow soldiers, Omer Samadja and Saadia Deri were killed.

At the end of the match, the trophy was presented by Orian Abargil who 20 years old, from Netivot. Orian served as a combat soldier in the Nahal 932 Battalion. He was wounded in Khan Yunis five months ago by an explosive device and is currently undergoing rehabilitation at Sheba Medical Center.

“The game of football pales in comparison,” Barda said. “I think these moments unite our entire nation around an injured soldier who defended the country, defended us and helped us maintain our daily lives. They, our soldiers, are the true heroes.”

Beitar captain Yarden Shua also spoke about the importance of the recognition the soldiers received and offered , “There’s nothing more moving and honorable than meeting a wounded soldier. I think we have the most special people in the world, with the biggest hearts. I’m happy that everyone’s home, that everyone has returned and from here, may we all set out on a new path and may everyone find happiness in the smallest things.”

Barak Itzhaki shared his thoughts as well, “It’s emotional, at the end of the day, we look at the trophy and the medal, we’re happy and enjoying the moment but ultimately, these are our real heroes. Thanks to them, we can sit here; thanks to them, the hostages have returned; and, God willing, thanks to them, the fallen and the remaining hostages will return. They are heroes. As a club, we also support families of hostages, bereaved families and we visit wounded soldiers in hospitals. We see their bravery, courage and sacrifice for the country. So, with all due respect to this [the win], I believe they are far more important.”