26 years of a never-ending legend • A moving memorial to the late Suya Schwager

Commemoration: This weekend (Thursday, 8/13/2026) the annual and moving memorial service was held at the Sde Yehoshua Cemetery in Haifa on the 26th anniversary of the memory of the former Maccabi Haifa defender, the never-ending football legend. Shaya Schwager, late, who was also known as "5 Green Heart", was one of the greatest Maccabi Haifa players in the 70s and a defender for the Israeli national team, with whom he also played in the State of Israel's only World Cup games, the "Mexico 70" World Cup.

The moving memorial service was held in the presence of many of his family members. Swagger The late his wife Verde, His daughters fund וlilac And his son Eylon, He was also a former player for Maccabi Haifa. We should note that his house Yifat Ben Avraham She is currently staying with her family in Denmark and the memorial service was broadcast live via Zoom. Family members also took part in the memorial service. Swagger His grandchildren and great-grandchildren, many sports figures and former players from the Maccabi Haifa Veterans Group, including the chairman of the Maccabi Haifa Former Players Association, Oded Belosh, who also laid a wreath on the well-kept and beautiful grave of Swagger The late, director of the veterans' group and its professional manager Aryeh Barzilai, Moshe (Musa) Ajami, Haim Porta, Moshe Leibman Logistics Manager of the Maccabi Haifa Veterans Team, the Veteran Sportsman Gili Barzilai And more. He represented Maccabi Haifa Football Club Roy Shani, the club's administrative director, who also laid the club's wreath on his grave.  

During the memorial service, we carried fund, the house of The late Schwager Moving things on the 26th anniversary of her father's memory, and it was easy to see that during her speech, tears also flowed from her eyes.

Then Elon Schwegger, son of Shaya The late, currently a defensive football coach, specializes in the defensive game and founded the football academy called "The Minister of Defense," recited the Kaddish prayer, adding with emotional words: "Today marks exactly 26 years since my father left, Shaya Schwager, lateOn behalf of myself and my family, I thank everyone who came here today to take part in the annual commemoration in his memory, to the relatives and friends who came from near and far who have accompanied and embraced us throughout the many years, we greatly appreciate it. Thank you to all the members of the Maccabi Haifa Veterans Association for the warm and respectful embrace in memory of my late father. Thank you to the Maccabi Haifa Club andRoy Shani On behalf of the Maccabi Haifa Football Club, the warm and respectful hug. Thank you to all the family members and to all those people who were unable to come and called and sent a hug even from afar. This is a day of remembrance on the first day of Elul, which symbolizes the beginning of a new year. I take this opportunity to wish the people of Israel much good and strong health and a happy and blessed New Year, Amen!"

Shaya Schwager, considered Maccabi Haifa's best defender of all time, began his career at Hapoel Haifa but quickly moved to the city rival and played 410 games (360 league games and 50 cup games) in the team's uniform over 14 seasons. Swagger He also played and served as team captain for several years.

Despite his illustrious career, he did not win a title with the team. After his death Swagger It was decided at Maccabi Haifa Football Club to commemorate the memory and name of Swagger The late and pre-1st grade children's team was named after him and is called Maccabi Haifa Yeshayahu. In addition, over the years, his family decided to establish the "Schwager Cup" tournament, which has been an active life's work to commemorate his memory every year, and is still played to this day in Moshav Tserufa where he lived. The game was most recently played for the 25th consecutive time at the end of May of this year, and over the years it has become a household name and a big, happy happening of culture and sports for children, the whole family, and all football enthusiasts of all ages, from young to old.

Meanwhile, it should be noted that in August 2022, the memory of The late Schwager By naming a street after him in the neighborhood currently being built near the Sammy Ofer Stadium in Haifa. "the boss" ו"The Last Stop" There were nicknames that accompanied the Swagger Over the years. Despite his illustrious career, he never won a title with the team. After the death of Swagger It was decided at the Maccabi Haifa Football Club to commemorate the memory of the late Schwager, and a pre-school children's team called Maccabi Yeshayahu Haifa was named after him.

The late Schwager He played with the Israeli national team in the 1970 World Cup, the only World Cup the team has qualified for to date, which was held in Mexico. Swagger He excelled in the game against the Italian team when he masterfully guarded striker Luigi Riva, who was one of the best players in the world. Swagger He appeared 37 times for the Israeli national team during his career. On August 31, 2000, he died of a heart attack, becoming the first player to pass away from an Israeli team that qualified for the World Cup. He was 54 years old at the time of his death.

Shaya Schwager, late He was the man who lived and breathed football every moment. The late Schwager He is the legend that never ends, may his memory be blessed!