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Israel

Hapoel Beersheva becomes Israel's Leicester City

May 26, 2016 10:17
Players give Mrs Barkat the bumps

By

Simon Griver,

Simon Griver

1 min read

Around 100,000 Israelis packed Beersheva's central square on Monday night to celebrate a footballing success that British fans will instantly recognise.

Hapoel Beersheva had just won their first league title in 40 years - and, like Leicester City's unlikely triumph in the Premier League, the team's journey to the top stunned a nation.

But in the case of Beersheva, there has been another twist in the tale. The who made it all possible is a woman: Alona Barkat.

The petite, unassuming 46-year-old mother of three bought the club nine years ago when Hapoel were struggling in Israel's second division.

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