Sports

Maccabiah award honors Werder Bremen fans' stand against antisemitism

The award was given to the Hersh Goldberg-Polin Circle of Friends, which was created to commemorate slain Gaza hostage Hersh Goldberg-Polin.

|ByJERUSALEM POST SPORTS STAFF
SV Werder Bremen President Dr. Hubertus Hess-Grunewald; Malte, Representative of the Hersh Friendship Circle; Alon Meyer, President of Makkabi Germany; Arnd Zeigler, SV Werder Stadium Speaker.
The Maccabi Krakow ice hockey team in full flow during a game in 1934.

When Jewish athletes dominated Polish sport: A lost legacy

From soccer to fencing, Jewish athletes once dominated Polish sports, and now their story is being told in Ramat Gan.

|ByBARRY DAVIS
Alex Bregman meets the media during his first press conference after signing with the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field on January 15, 2026.

Alex Bregman, who drew a Jewish star on his cap after October 7, inks $175M deal with the Cubs

Bregman's contract with the Chicago Cubs is the second-largest contract ever signed by a Jewish ballplayer, behind Max Fried’s $218 million contract in 2024.

|ByJACOB GURVIS/JTA
ZALGIRIS GUARD Maodo Lo (in red), a veteran of top European clubs and a regular member of the German national team, brings extensive international experience into tonight’s Euroeague matchup against host Maccabi Tel Aviv.

‘It’s a marathon, not a sprint’: Zalgiris, Lo eye big night vs Maccabi Tel Aviv

The Lithuanian squad was in Israel just a couple of weeks ago, and came away with a win over Hapoel Tel Aviv. It would like to replicate that success after splitting its last two Euroleague games.

|ByJOSHUA HALICKMAN

Israeli MMA fighter Shimon Smotritsky earns unanimous decision win at 559 Fights 120 - interview

"When I fight like myself, freely, and without trying to entertain someone or try to hype the crowd up and do all this nonsense, I’m the best version of myself," Smotritsky says.

JANUARY 13, 2026BySAM HALPERN
Shimon Smotritsky (left) and James Porter at the weigh-ins ahead of their match at the 559 Fights 120 event in Porterville, California.

Maccabi Tel Aviv defeats Hapoel Jerusalem

Hapoel Tel Aviv handles Ramat Gan • Beersheba beats Galil Elyon • Herliya downs Ness Ziona

JANUARY 12, 2026ByJOSHUA HALICKMAN
MACCABI TEL AVIV teammates Roman Sorkin (left) and Oshae Brissett celebrate after a basket during their team’s 95-84 win over Hapoel Jerusalem over the weekend.

Did Washington move too soon on Avdija? Former manager Tommy Sheppard offers an answer - interview

Avdija’s first season highlighted the difficulty. An ankle injury limited him to 54 games, and according to Sheppard, that period tested his character.

JANUARY 11, 2026ByIDAN KWELLER
Deni Avdija

Talent, arrogance, and the cost of not being ready in sports and war - opinion

Sport, of course, is never just sport. It is one of the most powerful metaphors we have for life itself. ...In Israel, the clamor is growing for a full national investigation into October 7 failures.

JANUARY 10, 2026ByJONATHAN LIEBERMAN
England players shake hands after the match. The Ashes, Australia vs England, Fifth Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney, Australia, last week.

Jerusalem marathon 2026 to offer special benefits for IDF reservists

The 15th Jerusalem Marathon, scheduled for March 27, offers special discounts for IDF reservists and security forces.

JANUARY 9, 2026ByJERUSALEM POST SPORTS STAFF
MARATHON DAY in Jerusalem is always one of the most energetic and fun experiences of the year throughout the capital.

Built for the big moments: Carrington leads Hapoel Jerusalem’s recent surge

The naturalized Israeli is in the midst of this third season with the capital city Reds and has been nothing less than a consummate professional, one of the leaders of the team.

JANUARY 8, 2026ByJOSHUA HALICKMAN
VETERAN GUARD Khadeen Carrington has become the heartbeat of Hapoel Jerusalem, delivering his biggest games when the stakes are the highest.

Hapoel Tel Aviv beats Dubai, Maccabi falls in Barcelona

Blakeney, Micic power first-place Reds against Dubai • Yellow-and-blue drops to 8-12 in Euroleague

JANUARY 7, 2026ByJOSHUA HALICKMAN
HAPOEL TEL AVIV guard Antonio Blakeney reacts after scoring two of his game-high 25 points in the Reds’ 80-65 Euroleague rout of visiting Dubai.

Trump draws criticism after joking about transgender athlete at Kennedy Center

Remarks by President Donald Trump mocking a transgender athlete have sparked criticism, amid ongoing legal battles over transgender rights in the US.

JANUARY 7, 2026BySHOSHANA BAKER
U.S. President Donald Trump speaks during the 80th United Nations General Assembly, in New York City, New York, U.S., September 23, 2025.

Israelis banned from UK sports arena for their own protection, new evidence suggests

Maccabi fan ban was driven by threats against Israelis, not from them; police hid evidence from Home Affairs Committee

JANUARY 6, 2026ByMATHILDA HELLER
POLICE OFFICERS detain a protester outside the stadium during the match, Aston Villa v Maccabi Tel Aviv, Villa Park, Birmingham, Britain, November 6, 2025

Maccabi Tel Aviv keeps pace in Third with conquest of Hapoe

After a fairly even opening 20 minutes, Mathew Cudjoe’s reckless tackle on Helder Lopes saw the midfielder sent off, leaving Sakhnin with only 10 men.

JANUARY 6, 2026ByJOSHUA HALICKMAN
One of Hapoel Beersheba's Kings Kangwa with teammates and one of Beersheba's Dan Bitton celebrating goals

Bondi heroes, first responders met with standing ovation and tribute at Sydney Cricket Ground

After passing through the 48,000-strong crowd, the heroes were met with a guard of honor from the England and Australian teams.

JANUARY 5, 2026ByMATHILDA HELLER
Ahmed al Ahmed, who disarmed a Bondi Beach attacker, stands with first responders during the guard of honour at Day 1 of the Ashes Test at SCG, Jan 4, 2026.