The 15th European Maccabi Games took place in Budapest from July 30th to August 6th.
After two years of planning in the office, training preparations for the athletes and multiple inspections of the sports facilities and hotels on site, MAKKABI Germany can now proudly claim: IT WAS AN OVERWHELMING SUCCESS!
MAKKABI Germany in new colours:
The German participants are not only athletic, but also human during the 15th European Maccabi Games from 30.07. - 06.08.2019 grown in Budapest and returned victorious from the Hungarian capital. With the new logo in black, red and gold on their shirts, they fought together, cried, laughed and loudly supported each other. Sport connects, that's no longer a secret. At this year's games, over 300 athletes from 38 local clubs in Germany came together, making them the largest delegation of all 40 participating nations. With 93 athletes under the age of 18, a young, dynamic team competed at the EMG, who celebrated a colorful sports festival together with friends from all over the world. MAKKABI Germany has thus finally proven that the Jewish sports association can get involved in German sports. Sporting successes were crowned by a shower of medals, international friendship arose from competition and the spirit of the games made this event an unforgettable experience.
In order to start the competitions as a committed team, the German delegation invaded Debrecen in advance for a unique pre-camp and made gymnasiums and grass pitches unsafe. In the second largest city in Hungary, athletes, trainers and supervisors and many helping hands have made the final preparations and completed intensive training.
Highly motivated, the German team drove to Budapest on July 29.07th. The next highlight followed upon arrival at the German Embassy. With a warm welcome and a celebratory barbecue, the German delegation was once again able to enjoy the calm before the first day of competition.
The Opening Ceremony:
The opening ceremony on Tuesday evening was a terrific success. With a rehearsed choreography, confetti cannons and smoke bombs, the German delegation made the entire Hidegkuti Nándor Stadium shine in German colors. Over 3000 athletes experienced an exhilarating opening ceremony with live acts and emotional speeches. The German team was accompanied by star guests at this spectacle. The former Hertha trainer and Hungarian national player and coach Pál Dárdai, ZDF sports presenter Béla Réthy and the Holocaust survivor Shaul Ladany, who was right in the middle of it as a flag bearer and half marathon participant, crowned the exhilarating major event.
Conclusion & balance sheet:
After successful games in Berlin in 2015, Germany was able to build on the successes of that time in individual and team sports from the first day of competition. With over 110 medals, Germany was the strongest team in Europe. In 17 of 19 sports, the athletes shone with 42x gold, 35x silver and 35x bronze. The results of the German athletes are another celebratory highlight in the success story of MAKKABI Germany.
This year's European Maccabi Games 2019 ended with a new German-Jewish self-image and grateful for this unique experience. Once again, the Jewish European Championships proved that they are more than just sport. The rousing atmosphere of cheering athletes and crowning award ceremonies showed once again that MAKKABI is a big, international family. Through optimal preparation by trainers and supervisors, the outstanding support from family and friends, the employees of the association office in Frankfurt, the new main sponsor Israel Bonds, the medical and media team, the public relations of the Jewish General , the Central Council of Jews in Germany and the Federal Ministry of the Interior, MAKKABI Germany was once again able to prove that they can successfully get involved in sporting events on a national and international level.
Makkabi Germany congratulates all athletes on their incredible performances during the European Maccabi Games 2019 in Budapest. Kol Hakavod!
Press review of the European Maccabi Games 2019 in Budapest: Press Review.pdf