Maccabi loses to Real Madrid in Belgrade instead of playing in Limassol

Belgrade, Serbia. Maccabi Tel Aviv hosted Real Madrid in Belgrade on Thursday night rather than Limassol, losing the Euroleague encounter 99-113. Cyprus had been preparing to stage the game following police approval earlier this month.

Club seeks return to Israel

A source familiar with security planning for Maccabi’s proposed home fixtures told the Cyprus Mail that the club had sought Euroleague approval to play its remaining home matches in Israel. If that request is rejected, the source said, the fixtures will move to Cyprus.

Thursday’s game took place at Aleksandar Nikolic Hall. The venue has served as Maccabi’s home court since the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack.

Preparations in Cyprus

The Spyros Kyprianou arena had been selected for the planned Limassol fixture. Maccabi submitted its formal request to Cyprus through a letter addressed to President Nikos Christodoulides on September 22.

The club’s schedule had also included a home match against Paris Basketball on October 29. Limassol was expected to stage between 12 and 15 home fixtures, with the total depending on Maccabi’s progress.

Security and policing costs

Cyprus is understood to have rejected a comparable request in June 2025 because police expressed concern that safety at the events could not be guaranteed.

Police unions warned that around 500 officers would be needed for the games, adding a substantial burden to an already understaffed force. Police spokesman Vyron Vyronos said each fixture would receive an individual assessment.

Another police source estimated that policing all of Maccabi’s games would cost more than €1 million.