(haipo) Dennis Ladzienski, 21, from Nesher, passed away on Tuesday, 05/05/2026, after a long battle with cancer. At his funeral, nearly a thousand fans dressed in green, the colors of Maccabi Haifa basketball, came to pay their last respects. Dennis, who had been a devoted fan of the team for the past decade and an integral part of the fan club, continued to come to games even during particularly difficult times. Just last week, he was still present in the stands and cheering on the team, without anyone knowing that this would be the last time. Dennis left behind parents, Jan and Vilna, who are heartbroken over the loss of their young son.
Dennis – a fan from a young age who became a central figure in the community
Dennis grew up in Nesher and began attending Maccabi Haifa basketball games at the age of 11. His friends in the stands say that from the first moment it was clear that he was no longer a fan, but one who brought with him an extraordinary passion for the game, the team, and the life of the community around him. Over the years, he became a familiar and beloved figure, one who comes to every game, constantly cheering and strengthening those around him. Even when he was battling cancer, he continued to come to the stands at every opportunity, sometimes despite his complex health condition.
Fighting a disease that has returned for the second time
Dennis was diagnosed with cancer several years ago, underwent difficult treatments and recovered. But the disease returned, and this time his young body was unable to overcome it. His friends say that despite the pain and difficulty, he maintained a smile, optimism and his love for the team. For many of them, the fact that he continued to attend games until the very last minute is a testament to his special character, dedicated, loyal, and full of love.
Maccabi Haifa CEO: “We lost a part of us”
Roy Schwatz, CEO of Maccabi Haifa, paid a moving tribute to Dennis today: "The Maccabi Haifa family lost a part of us today. Dennis was a fan with every inch of his body, one who accompanied the team from childhood until his last days. Only at the game in Eilat last week did he come to cheer, despite his medical condition. I didn't think this would be the last time I would see him. He was a true partner, a fan who infected everyone with his love for the symbol."
Schwartz emphasized that Dennis was not just a fan, but part of the community, the family that the club created around him. “We will miss him greatly,” he said.
Club spokesperson: “The community experiences even the most difficult moments together”
Maccabi Haifa spokesman, Dudu Bezeq, referred to the great pain that grips the fan community: “It’s very sad. A 21-year-old boy, a difficult and painful story. People see the joys of the sports clubs, but alongside that there is also a community that has experienced the most difficult moments together. We are truly like one big family, through good and bad. In this case we see the greatest pain. A boy who passes away at the age of 21, and another of our fans, it hurts deeply.” Bezeq added that the club shares in the family’s grief and embraces them at this difficult time.
Members of the stands: “He was like a brother – a huge loss”
Omar Eshel, one of the oldest fans and someone who accompanied Dennis for years, spoke about the special bond between them:
“Dennis came to the stands from a very young age, maybe 10 or 11. He loved Maccabi Haifa basketball in a way that you don’t see much of. Over the years, he grew up, took command of the fan organization, was involved in everything. He was my son’s age, and he was like a brother to me.”
Eshel says that Dennis was an inseparable part of the fans' experiences, the victories, the losses, the joys and the sadness. "He got sick a few years ago. He recovered once and then the illness returned. Today, hundreds of people came to the funeral, all in green. They loved him very much. His smile, his dedication, his love for the team, we will miss everything. Maccabi Haifa will be a little less Maccabi Haifa without him."
A community that accompanies you until the last moment
The huge turnout at the funeral illustrates how much Dennis was loved. Many of them said they didn't know him personally, but saw him at every game, heard his voice in the stands, felt the energy he brought with him. For them, he was an integral part of the experience of being a Maccabi Haifa fan.
Other fans said Dennis was the first to volunteer, the first to help, the first to lift spirits when the team was losing. “He was the kind of guy you felt was part of the heart of the crowd,” one said. “When he’s not there, you feel it.”
Dennis and the meaning of community in sports
Dennis' story highlights what many sports clubs have been trying to explain for years, that the community around the team is much more than basketball. It is a place where people find friends, support, belonging. For Dennis, this community was a second home. And for the community, he was part of the family.
Maccabi Haifa says that in recent years Dennis has become a central figure in the fan organization, taking on roles, leading initiatives and being involved in every activity. “He was a driving force,” said one member of the organization. “Even when he was sick, he was there. He gave us strength.”
Great pain, great memory
The pain of Dennis' passing is felt in every corner of the fan community. Many wrote about the loss on social media, posted photos from the stands, and talked about shared moments. Others came to the family home to offer their condolences. "It's unbelievable," said one fan. "He was young, full of life, full of love. It's hard to believe he won't be with us at the next game."
Dennis will remain part of the stand.
Despite his passing, many fans said that Dennis will remain a part of the stands forever. “We will remember him in every game,” said Omer Eshel. “He is a part of us. Maccabi Haifa basketball will not be the same without him, but we will continue to carry his memory with us.”
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