Hapoel Beersheba Faces AZ Alkmaar in Europa League Clash
Hapoel Beersheba owner Alona Barkat faces a major financial test as her squad takes on AZ Alkmaar in the Europa League, highlighting massive budget disparities.
Alona Barkat's Financial Commitment Tested in Europe
Alona Barkat, the owner of the Hapoel Beersheba football club, stands as one of the most influential businesswomen in the Israeli economy. Having shattered the glass ceiling as the first woman to head a professional football club in the country, Barkat has injected no less than 282 million shekels since taking control in 2007, with over 80 million shekels coming directly from her personal pocket.
On Thursday, this massive financial investment will face a fascinating test as Hapoel Beersheba steps onto the pitch for a challenging away match against AZ Alkmaar in the second matchday of the Europa League. This encounter once again highlights the huge economic disparities between top Israeli clubs and established European teams.
Valuations and Financial Realities
According to data from the leading economic website Transfermarkt, the current squad value of Hapoel Beersheba is estimated at approximately 27.45 million euros. In contrast, AZ Alkmaar boasts a roster whose value is estimated at around 161.45 million euros, a value six times greater than that of the Israeli club.
"Football is not always played on paper, and heart often bridges financial gaps." — Club insider.
Barkat's journey with Hapoel Beersheba has experienced quite a few ups and downs. Alongside sporting successes, she has had to deal with complex crises, including the coronavirus pandemic, wartime challenges, and general economic headwinds, while continuing to provide substantial budgets.
Business Background and European Ambitions
Barkat is married to businessman Eli Barkat, with the family's immense fortune—estimated in billions of shekels—accumulated largely through strategic high-tech investments, spearheaded by the BRM venture capital fund and its early backing of Check Point. Her short political foray with the New Right party is also well remembered before she refocused entirely on her sporting life's work in Beersheba.
Now, Hapoel Beersheba will attempt to prove that big Dutch money does not necessarily win on the pitch. With Barkat's stable backing, the Reds from the Negev will hope to pull off an upset and secure a prestigious victory, which could also add about 450,000 euros to the club's coffers, building on the 8 million euros already secured for reaching the Europa League league phase.
