Hapoel will take off today (Tuesday) for an 11-day training camp in Poland, during which the team will play four friendly matches. All the details are in the article below
Hapoel IBI Tel Aviv will take a step forward in its preparations for the 2025/26 season as the team heads to a training camp in the town of Siedlce, Poland, located about 100 kilometers from Warsaw, between the dates 8–18/7.
Hapoel’s training sessions will be held at the modern Siedlce Sports Centre, considered one of the premier athletic facilities in the region. The complex includes a natural grass stadium, synthetic pitches, a professional indoor arena, fully equipped gyms, and excellent recovery amenities—such as a swimming pool and sauna. These high-quality conditions will allow the squad to focus on physical, tactical, and mental preparation at the highest level ahead of the upcoming season.
During the camp, Hapoel will play four friendly matches:
- July 11 vs. Górnik Łęczna (Poland)
Kickoff: 19:00 Israel / 18:00 Poland - July 13 vs. Neptūnas Klaipėda (Lithuania)
Kickoff: 12:30 Israel / 11:30 Poland - July 15 vs. Motor Lublin (Poland)
Kickoff: 18:00 Israel / 17:00 Poland - July 17 vs. Neftçi Baku (Azerbaijan)
Kickoff: 18:00 Israel / 17:00 PolandThe matches will be broadcast live – further details will be announced later.
Facts and figures:
This marks the eighth time in club history that Hapoel will hold its preseason training camp in Poland. In the previous seven camps, the team played 20 friendly matches, earning 12 wins, 6 draws, and only 2 losses, with a goal difference of 37 scored and 15 conceded.
Last summer, Hapoel played three friendlies in Poland, winning two and drawing the third 2-2.
This year, Hapoel will face four opponents from three different countries during the camp. The first match will be against Polish side Górnik Łęczna, followed by a game against Neptūnas Klaipėda from Lithuania. The third match will be against another Polish club, Motor Lublin, and the final match will be played against Neftçi Baku from Azerbaijan.
Throughout its history, Hapoel has faced Polish clubs 21 times—19 friendlies and 2 official matches in the UEFA Europa League. The club’s first-ever encounter with a Polish team was in 1937, when Hapoel defeated Pogoń Lwów 2-0. In friendlies against Polish opposition, the Reds have recorded 12 wins, 4 draws, and 3 losses, with a goal tally of 36:17 in Hapoel’s favor.
In official competition, Hapoel played Legia Warsaw twice in Group C of the 2011/12 Europa League. In the first leg (29/09/2011), Hapoel lost 3-2 in Poland despite goals by Toto Tamuz (34’) and Maharan Lala (79’). In the return leg (15/12/2011), the Reds earned a 2-0 victory at Bloomfield Stadium thanks to goals by Salim Toama (33’) and Avihai Yadin (76’).
Hapoel has faced Neftçi Baku once before in a training camp match ahead of the 2006/07 season, winning 3-2 with goals from Ivan Jolić, Bibras Natcho, and Kfir Udi.
This will be the first-ever meeting between Hapoel and a Lithuanian club in a training camp match.
About the Opponents:
Górnik Łęczna (Poland)
Founded in 1979, Górnik Łęczna has spent most of its history in Poland’s lower divisions. The club's highest finish came in the 2004/05 season, placing seventh in the premier league. Last season, they finished ninth in Poland’s second division. The squad is primarily composed of local players.
Neptūnas Klaipėda (Lithuania)
A relatively new club founded just five years ago, Neptūnas competes in Lithuania’s second division. They finished fourth in the 2024/25 season. The team features mainly local players, with additional reinforcements from countries including Japan, Nigeria, and Ukraine.
Motor Lublin (Poland)
Established in 1950, Motor Lublin has mostly played in the second division and has yet to win a major title. They made one appearance in the Intertoto Cup in 1982. Last season, the club finished seventh in the Polish top division (Ekstraklasa). In addition to local players, the squad includes footballers from Spain, Germany, Senegal, Belgium, Romania, the Netherlands, France, Slovenia, and Slovakia.
Neftçi Baku (Azerbaijan)
One of the leading clubs in Azerbaijan, Neftçi Baku was founded in 1937 and is based in the capital city. The team has won 9 domestic championships and 6 national cups. Last season, Neftçi finished a disappointing 6th out of 10 teams. Their multinational squad includes players from Benin, Brazil, Senegal, Montenegro, Japan, Paraguay, and Sierra Leone.
