Heavy security measures in Limassol ahead of Maccabi match

The EuroLeague game between Maccabi Tel Aviv and Hapoel Tel Aviv will be played on Thursday at 21:05 at the Spyros Kyprianou Arena in Limassol. The match will take place under intensive security measures, with hundreds of police officers on duty and strict checks at stadium entrances.

Because of the security situation in Israel, Maccabi played its home matches in Belgrade over the past three years. The team will now play its home games in Limassol. Around 1,500 Israeli fans are expected to attend, and most of them are believed to be Maccabi supporters. It was reported that 150 tickets were set aside for Hapoel fans and that all of them have been sold.

Cypriot authorities have allowed Maccabi to distribute up to 3,000 tickets for each match in Limassol. In addition, 1,500 tickets have been reserved for the Cypriot public. Under the plan, security of the stadium will be handed over to the police one day before each match, the venue will be searched, and it will be guarded until the fans and delegations have left. Metal detectors will be set up at the entrances, and fans, delegation members, official guests and team officials will be screened. Counterterrorism and intelligence units will also be involved in the process.

Each match will be treated as a separate operation, and measures will be reviewed in advance according to the latest risk assessment. Maccabi's match against Olympiacos on November 17 will also be closely monitored. Tickets will be sold online only, with no printed tickets issued. Cypriot buyers will enter their identity and fan card details, while foreign fans will need to register with an identity card or passport number.

Police unions said around 500 officers will be needed for the matches. A police source told Cyprus Mail that the cost of these security arrangements will exceed 1 million euros. Justice Minister Costas Fitiris had previously told lawmakers that the additional security costs will be billed to Maccabi.