The football match (soccer game) was a blast. Renting a car was key that weekend so we did not have to worry about getting to Ramat Gan Stadium with public transportation after Shabbat (public transport only runs after sundown)...and it also allowed us to tailgate before we got to the game. Maybe because four of us had lived in the States, but we were expecting a parking lot for the 40,000+ seat stadium, and it appears that there was not one. After much driving around we parked illegally like the thousands of others parking under bridges and on curbs; it was not uncommon to see one car blocking in a dozen others.
Tailgating with the gang (above).
When we got to the game you could feel the electricity. Like most other soccer-crazy countries in the world Israelis are really into their national team. The stadium was sold out and the roar of the crowd could be heard from afar (where we parked). The atmosphere was phenomenal and we all ended up getting into the game. Greece scored in the end of the first half, but early in the second Israel scored the equalizer and the stadium erupted in cheer.
The stadium had some of the heaviest security that I have seen in Israel and whether for terrorism or riot-control reasons every two sections were fenced off from each other and alcohol was not being sold. Regardless, for $20 (80 NIS) we had a blast and a true Israel experience.
Pictures from Section 7, Ramat Gan Stadium.
Update: Israel lost 2-1 in Greece on April 1 and it looks like they will probably not be making the World Cup. They have four games left so anything is possible, but the likelihood is not good.
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