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Israel: Maccabi Haifa's league dominance under threat [Thu Aug 25th, 2005]
Jerusalem (Reuters) - Maccabi Haifa's recent dominance in the Israeli Premier League is under threat when the season kicks off.
Haifa won the title for the fourth time in five years last May, but Maccabi Tel Aviv, dubbed Israel's 'Galacticos', a rejuvenated Hapoel Tel Aviv, and cash-rich Betar Jerusalem could all be snapping at their heels.
Haifa, the best funded Israeli club with a reported budget of 40 million shekels (US$8.89 million), were knocked out in the UEFA Champions League second qualifying round by Malmo of Sweden earlier this month.
Maccabi Tel Aviv's midfield includes former international Eyal Berkovic, Israel captain Avi Nimni and Croatian international Giovanni Rosso, although they have failed to impress in pre-season action.
Betar, who have the most fanatical support among Premier League teams are hoping that the injection of cash from Russian tycoon Arkady Gaidamak will end years of financial uncertainty.
Gaidamak was largely unknown to Israeli fans before he bought a 100 percent stake in the club at the weekend in a move that was likened to that of fellow Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich at Chelsea.
Gaidamak has promised to invest heavily in Betar in order to ensure they gain a foothold in Europe in future seasons.
The Russian also made a donation of US$400,000 to Bnei Sakhnin to help ease their plight after a major sponsor left the club.
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