Israeli soccer clubs pay tributes to returned hostages

Maccabi Haifa celebrates Doron Steinbrecher's return, calling it 'our greatest joy,' while Hapoel Haifa announces Monday ceremony to honor fan Romi Gonen; Maccabi Tel Aviv expresses excitement for Emily Damari's release, saying, 'We prayed for your return'

Israeli soccer clubs paid tribute on Sunday to the return of hostages Romi Gonen, Doron Steinbrecher and Emily Damari, who were released from Hamas captivity. The emotional reunions were marked by heartfelt gestures from their respective teams.
Hapoel Haifa expressed joy on Facebook, saying, "With immense excitement and tears of happiness, we celebrate the return of Romi, Doron and Emily." The club created a special video in honor of Romi Gonen’s return home after 471 days in Hamas captivity, featuring personal messages of congratulations. The club has supported Romi’s father, Eitan, and her family throughout this period, providing her with a season ticket and a jersey bearing her name.
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Hapoel Haifa players holding a banner saying 'Romi Gonen returns alive'
Hapoel Haifa players holding a banner saying 'Romi Gonen returns alive'
Hapoel Haifa players holding a banner saying 'Romi Gonen returns alive'
(Photo: Radad Jabra)
Ahead of Monday's match against Ashdod, Hapoel Haifa will hold a ceremony to mark Romi’s return, alongside a prayer for the swift return of the remaining hostages, with yellow balloons released in their honor.
Maccabi Haifa also shared in the celebration, writing, "The most emotional welcome in the club’s history: Our Doron is back home." The club expressed its deep emotion over the return of Doron Steinbrecher, an avid fan who was kidnapped to the Gaza Strip from her home on October 7.
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Since then, Maccabi Haifa has been supporting her family and all the other kidnapped fans. Doron’s father, Roni, has been a lifetime supporter and continued wearing his green scarf at hostage rallies and in every place he appeared. In the last Haifa derby match between Maccabi and Hapoel, Doron’s sister, Yamit, and Romi Gonen’s sister, Yarden, presented the match ball to the referee. Both women returned home on Sunday.
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(Photo: Omri Stein)
The club’s CEO, Itzik Ovadia, said, "The tears of joy are endless, and it’s the same for everyone in the club. Roni and Simona have become an inseparable part of our club, and knowing that right now they are embracing Doron is the greatest happiness we could have asked for. We will never forget that other hostages remain in Hamas’ hands, and we hope for the swift, healthy return of Matan Angrest and Guy Gillboa Dalal, as well as the return of Inbar Heyman’s body for burial in Israel. And of course, for the safe return of all the other hostages. Amen."
Meanwhile, Maccabi Tel Aviv also celebrated the return of Emily Damari, writing, "Our Emily is home!" The club said, "We waited, we prayed for 471 days for your return, and today our hearts are filled with joy that you are with us again, together with Romi Gonen and Doron Steinbrecher."
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