The atmosphere at Toumba Stadium in Thessaloniki was electric on Wednesday night as Greek club PAOK faced off against Israeli side Maccabi Tel Aviv in the opening round of the 2025-26 Europa League. But the excitement on the pitch was matched by intense scenes outside and inside the stadium, as politics and football collided in a fixture loaded with significance both on and off the field.
Security was front and center long before the first whistle. On September 24, 2025, local police launched a large-scale operation outside the 28,000-seat Toumba Stadium, anticipating potential unrest surrounding the high-profile European clash. Officers from a special forces unit were deployed to escort the Maccabi Tel Aviv team bus, ensuring the squad's safe arrival amid heightened tensions. Bomb squad sniffer dogs swept the stadium and its surroundings, leaving nothing to chance in the face of mounting political demonstrations.
The build-up to the match had already been marked by two small but vocal protests in Thessaloniki earlier that day. Demonstrators called for Israeli teams to be expelled from European competition, citing mass casualties in the ongoing war in Gaza. The message was clear and unmissable: football, for many, is never far removed from the world’s wider conflicts.
In a dramatic scene, protesters scaled scaffolding on a building complex that also houses the U.S. consulate, unfurling a large banner with the word “Genocide” in English. Police responded swiftly, detaining several individuals at the site. These actions underscored the depth of feeling in the city and the broader region, where passions run high over the intersection of sports and international politics.
Amid all the commotion, around 120 Israeli fans made the journey to Greece to support their team. Their arrival was tightly managed: before entering the stadium, they were held behind a police cordon, a stark reminder of the extraordinary security measures in place for this Europa League tie. It was a far cry from the usual pre-game rituals, but the visiting supporters were undeterred, determined to cheer on Maccabi Tel Aviv regardless of the circumstances.
Inside the stadium, the political tensions spilled over into the stands. PAOK fans, always known for their passionate support, displayed a huge banner reading "show Israel the red card" during the match. The message, bold and unmistakable, drew attention from cameras and onlookers alike. Elsewhere in the crowd, Palestinian flags were waved, amplifying the sense that this was no ordinary football fixture.
Despite the charged atmosphere, the players kept their focus on the pitch. The match featured a host of notable names on both sides. For Maccabi Tel Aviv, Mohamed Ali Camara was a force in defense, leaping to challenge PAOK’s Giannis Michailidis for aerial balls. Kervin Andrade, another standout for the Israeli side, was seen battling for possession with PAOK’s Baba Rahman, while Roy Revivo put in a tireless shift on the flank, often tangling with PAOK’s Andrija Zivkovic.
On the Greek side, Giannis Konstantelias was a constant threat, making several attempts on goal and keeping the Maccabi defense on high alert. Magomed Ozdoyev, anchoring the midfield, worked hard to stifle the Israeli attack, while Kristijan Belic of Maccabi Tel Aviv tried to break through the Greek lines, only to be met by Ozdoyev’s resolute tackling.
The action on the field was intense and competitive, with both sides showing flashes of brilliance. The match was part of the Europa League’s first round, and both clubs were eager to start their campaigns on the right foot. Every tackle, header, and shot was contested with the kind of ferocity that makes European nights so special.
Photos from the match captured the drama and emotion: Maccabi Tel Aviv’s players and fans clapping hands after the final whistle, a gesture of mutual respect and solidarity in trying circumstances. The images of players like Kervin Andrade sprinting down the wing, or Mohamed Ali Camara rising above the pack, showed the commitment and skill on display despite the distractions swirling around them.
Yet, it was impossible to ignore the wider context. The presence of banners, flags, and protests left no doubt that this was a fixture shaped by forces far beyond the football pitch. For the players and coaches, maintaining concentration amid such a backdrop was no small feat. But as the game unfolded, both teams demonstrated professionalism and resolve, focusing on the contest at hand even as the world watched for signs of controversy or incident.
After the match, the Maccabi Tel Aviv squad acknowledged their traveling supporters, clapping hands in a gesture that spoke volumes about the bond between team and fans. For the Israeli contingent, the night was about more than just football—it was about pride, resilience, and the enduring power of sport to unite, even in the face of adversity.
PAOK’s faithful, meanwhile, continued to make their voices heard, their banners and chants echoing long after the final whistle. The Greek side’s players, including Konstantelias and Zivkovic, left everything on the pitch, determined to give their supporters a performance to remember.
As the dust settled on a night of high drama in Thessaloniki, attention turned to what comes next. The Europa League campaign is just getting underway, and both PAOK and Maccabi Tel Aviv will be looking to build on this opening encounter. For now, though, the match will be remembered as much for its off-field events as for the football itself—a vivid reminder that, for better or worse, the beautiful game is always connected to the world around it.
With the group stage just beginning, both clubs know there are more challenges ahead. But after a night like this, one thing is clear: the spirit of competition—and the passion of the fans—remains undimmed, no matter what storms may rage beyond the stadium walls.
