Hapoel Speaks: The Story of Elior Baranes
- Joseph Press IV
- Feb 9
- 13 min read
On May 24, 1986, the final day of the Liga Leumit season, the two best teams of the decade — Hapoel Tel Aviv and Maccabi Haifa — faced off in what many consider the greatest game in the history of Israeli football. Heading into the 85–86 season, Haifa had won the previous two league titles and were picked by most experts to win their third in a row. This prediction was understandable; after all, Haifa was anchored by the likes of Zahi Armeli, Ronny Rosenthal, Moshe Selecter, and Avi Ran — club legends who are among the greatest Israeli footballers of all time. But Hapoel Tel Aviv had other ideas, as they sought to return to the summit of Israeli football for the first time since the start of the decade. Neither team would be denied, and what ensued over the course of that season was the most tightly contested title race Israeli football had ever seen.
Throughout the year, Haifa and Hapoel competed for the top spot in the league, going back and forth over and again until the last fixture of the season. On the eve of the greatest game ever played, Haifa was top of the league on 57 points while Hapoel was 2nd with 56. There was one game left which would decide the champion. The stakes were high, the stands of Bloomfield Stadium were packed, and for the first time in the history of the Israeli Premier League, the game would be broadcast live for millions of Israelis to see.
The Hapoel squad that took the field that day against Haifa’s Dream Team featured several superstars of Israeli football — players that are remembered to this day by Hapoel supporters for their phenomenal service to Hapoel Tel Aviv football club. These were household names like Eli Cohen, Gili Landau, Shabtai Levy, and, of course, the incomparable Moshe Sinai. By 1985, each of these men were in the prime of their careers and already had a league title with Hapoel under their belts. Others, too, were key players for the club during and leading up to the 85–86 season: defenders Yossi Zana and Ya’akov Ekhoiz, and forward Moris Zano immediately come to mind.
But there was one player on the pitch that day who stood out among the rest — not for the breadth of his past accomplishments or the magnitude of his name, but for his youthful face, and, given his youthfulness, the remarkable composure, grace, and confidence he displayed on the biggest stage. How a 17-year-old found himself starting for one of the greatest teams in the history of Israeli football in, perhaps, the greatest game in the history of Israeli football is a fable for our time — a beautiful story of prodigious talent, incredible work ethic, and the power of a loving and caring family. It is the story of Elior Baranes.
Elior was the first of three children born to Dino and Eti Baranes in the city of Bat Yam — a coastal town just south of Tel Aviv. At the time of his birth, Eti — Elior’s mother — was a homemaker completely dedicated to the raising of her children. His father, Dino, was the manager of a kitchen appliances store; and, before that, a professional goalkeeper for Shimson Tel Aviv and Maccabi Haifa. His football career was cut short after he met Eti, the love of his life, and was given an ultimatum before traveling to Australia to play in a football match: either we get married and you retire, or you continue your career alone. Dino chose the former — ending his life as a footballer to settle down and start a family with his fiancée. It turned out to be the best decision of his life.
The family that Dino and Eti raised together was beautiful. Their personalities dovetailed each other perfectly. Eti was a lioness who loved her children fiercely, and created a warm, caring, and open home for the family. Dino was a simple and altruistic man, always putting others before himself — committed to charity for charity’s sake. “One thing I learned about my father is that he was a very special man,” said Elior. “He always took the opportunity to give to other people without thinking of receiving anything in return. He did it with simplicity — he loved connecting with people. From my mother I learned how to be a great parent; her warmness enveloped everything — it covered my siblings and I. She was always there for us. I try to give my son the same warmth she gave me.”
While Elior’s parents are no longer with him — his father passed away when Elior was 31, and his mother a few months ago — the lessons they taught him have lasted a lifetime. Indeed, without them, he would not be the man or father he is today. He also would not have discovered his love for football and Hapoel Tel Aviv.
Football in the Baranes household was a family affair, and Elior was practically born with a ball at his feet. Thus, his passion for the game was inevitable — after all, both his father and uncle were professional footballers. His affinity for Hapoel, too, was passed down in his family from one generation to the next. It began with his grandparents, whose support for the club was rooted in their staunch belief in the socialist values embodied by both the Hapoel sports association and the Mapai political party. This devotion to Hapoel was transferred to Elior’s parents: “My father and mother always loved Hapoel Tel Aviv. I remember them walking into the stadium before games, proudly wearing the red shirts of Hapoel. And, of course, I was always with them — sitting and watching. For as long as I can remember, I have always loved the club.”
And so, when Elior began to display a talent for football as a toddler, it was only natural for his parents to take him to a trial for the Hapoel Tel Aviv youth development program. He made the cut, was enrolled in the academy, and began a journey that would take him to the top of Israeli football with the club of his dreams.
From the moment young Elior stepped foot onto the Hapoel Tel Aviv training ground at the tender age of 7, it was apparent to his coaches that he was different from the other kids at the club — for he had the potential to be truly special. The confidence instilled in him by his inner circle — especially his family and close friends — was crucial to his development and self-belief. The support from his loved ones, along with the time invested in him by his coaches, helped Elior become the most promising footballer in his age group at Hapoel. In particular, Ben-hor Mizrach, Rehavia Rosenbaum, and Gigi Cohen had the greatest impact on young Elior’s game. “At the youth division, I was blessed in having the best coaches around. Everything started through them. They taught me the technical aspect of the game, they gave me my tactical intelligence and sharpened my mental focus.”
In addition to helping Elior hone his skills on the pitch, Mizrach and Rosenbaum taught Elior the standard of excellence required of a professional footballer off the field — the value of maintaining a proper diet and good physical condition during the offseason, and the importance of developing strong bonds with his teammates. Gigi Cohen’s impact on Elior transcended football: “Besides being my coach, he was a father figure to me — he taught me how to behave and conduct myself both as a footballer on the pitch and in my professional life off of it.”
While Elior was certainly fortunate to be blessed with great coaches, family, and friends who played an integral role in his ascent up the ladder of elite Israeli football — it would have all been for naught save for Elior’s humble spirit and incredible work ethic. Indeed, the guidance and lessons taught to Elior by his coaches were given to all of his peers — but it takes a unique person to quell their ego, absorb the advice given to them by their mentors, and immediately and consistently put said advice to practice.
It can be said that when prodigious talent meets profound industry, excellence is the outcome. And, when excellence is nurtured and cultivated in a loving and caring environment — like that of the Baranes family — success is all but guaranteed. For Elior, that “success” first manifested itself in his selection to the 1978 Israeli National team that participated in the U13 World Cup.
“When I was chosen, at the age of 13, to go to Argentina and represent Israel with our national team in the World Cup, I knew that I had a real future in football. People always gave me hope and trusted in my potential. But this opportunity made it real. I was the only player from Hapoel chosen for this team — so it was clear then that I had a bright future in the sport.”
Playing in front of 70,000 cheering fans at River Plate Stadium in Argentina was, perhaps, the best preparation Elior could have had for his pro debut with Hapoel Tel Aviv’s first team. For years leading up to that glorious day, Elior practiced with the youth team next to the adults — but never with them. During that time, Hapoel’s first team coach — the legendary David Schweitzer — made it clear to young Elior that he liked his game. In fact, he liked it so much that he called Elior up to the first team at the tender age of 16. Walking into the men’s locker room for the first time was an experience he would never forget. “It was the most exciting day of my life,” said Elior. “I saw all of the biggest stars whose pictures were on my wall as a child. Suddenly I was there, with them, at the age of 16 and a half. It was a dream come true.”
While Hapoel produced countless great footballers in the 1980s, many of whom played for the Israeli National Team, sharing a locker room with Moshe Sinai was uniquely special. “He was the player I used to look up to,” said Elior. “The captain. The star of the national team. One of the best players to ever exist in Israel. He was everything.” The man who was once Elior’s hero and idol was now his mentor, his personal coach, his teammate. Immediately, Moshe took Elior under his wing. “He showed me the way — explaining everything to me about how to excel as a footballer on and off the pitch. He taught me how to be a true professional. You must understand, this was the person I aspired to be. And when he gave me his blessing it meant the world to me.”
It is not uncommon for those born with great talent to resist feedback from their teachers and mentors. After all, their talent is often enough to excel in its natural, unvarnished form — at least early on in life. But Elior was different. His humble spirit and selflessness were among his greatest gifts; gifts, no doubt, passed down to him by his father. And so, when David Schweitzer and Moshe Sinai spoke, Elior hung on their every word; soaking up all of their wisdom and advice like a sponge. Under their tutelage, he sharpened his skills and mentality — turning himself into an exceptional footballer capable of performing at the highest level under the most difficult circumstances.
Shortly after Elior’s arrival in Hapoel’s first team, his footballing ability and composure were apparent to everyone at the club. On April 26th of 1986, in his professional debut against Maccabi Sha’arayim, it became apparent to all of Israel.
“My first game was one I will never forget,” said Elior. “It was at Bloomfield Stadium. Going into the game I had my fears and anxiety. But I was mentally strong. I knew what I wanted to achieve. In the end, we won the game 3 to 2. I was very fortunate and scored 2 goals. Never in my wildest dreams did I think this would happen. In one night I went from an anonymous kid to a very famous person who could no longer walk down the street in peace. I was only 17 years old.”
Needless to say, Elior literally played the perfect game. All of his skill was on display for the entire country to see — his deft first touch, his endless passing range, his uncanny vision, and his brilliant football mind. On that night, his performance was a tour de force.
Leading up to, during, and immediately after the game, Elior was on cloud nine. He believed, understandably, that football couldn’t possibly get any better than that. Then, a mere 4 weeks later, he was selected by manager David Schweitzer to start in the greatest game ever played.
It is clear, now, that 17 year old Elior Baranes’ place in the Hapoel Tel Aviv starting 11 for the biggest game of the 1986 season against Maccabi Haifa was neither a mistake nor an accident. Instead, it was the culmination of God given talent, a decade of hard work and dedication, and a lifetime of investment and support from family, friends, and coaches.
“That was the game of my life. It was a dream come true. It was in Bloomfield Stadium. 22,000 people. It was the biggest game that I have ever been a part of — a once in a lifetime experience. I was a young kid who was fulfilling his life dream with all of the best and most important footballers of the time. In the 86th minute of the game, when Gili Landau scored for us, the whole stadium shook with the energy and joy of our fans. Except for the day my son was born, I have never felt such happiness in my life.” For the thousands of Hapoel fans at Bloomfield and across the country, the feeling was mutual — it was the happiest day of their lives too.
Ideally, that day would have been one of many highlights in the long and decorated career of Elior Baranes. Alas, it was not to be. For in 1991, during an otherwise mundane midseason game, Elior’s right foot was broken by Maccabi Petah Tikva’s goalkeeper in the 43rd minute. As a player, he was never the same.
“My success in football was immediate, but for a short time. I touched the roof of the world, then saw the other side with my injury. It was difficult to recover from mentally and emotionally. My childhood dream had been realized, then suddenly it was all taken away. The injury took me to a very low place, a hole that I could not get out of. Till this day I am dealing with the repercussions.”
While Elior would never again reach the summit of professional football after his tragic injury, it is hard to call his career anything other than a roaring success. Over the course of his 6 year footballing prime, from the age of 17 to 23, Elior accomplished more on the pitch than most players do in their entire careers. And so, it can be said that Elior Baranes’ football life was akin to that of a shooting star — brief, spectacular, and unforgettable for all who bore witness. Indeed, to this day, Elior is not remembered by Hapoel fans for the broken foot he suffered in 1991, but for his mesmerizing performances as a teenage midfield maestro on the biggest stages of Israeli football. Unfortunately, the glory of the journey cannot fill the void left once it’s over — especially when the end is premature. And, for Elior, that void lingered far beyond the conclusion of his playing career. Thankfully, contrary to the popular saying, football is not life. So, while the injury that effectively ended Elior’s career was depressing, it did not mark the end of his story. In fact, the chapter that followed Elior’s retirement has been the most rewarding of his entire life.
After hanging up his cleats in 1992, Elior moved to Eilat and entered the hospitality industry. For six years he was the Public Relations Manager of a chain of hotels. While working in PR lacked the pageantry and excitement of professional athletics, he enjoyed his job and liked the life he was building for himself. Then, in 1998, the itch for football returned — and Elior decided to once again embrace the passion that consumed him for almost his entire life. This time he would take the pitch not as a player, but as a youth development coach. And so, in 2002, Elior graduated from Wingate Institute — the premier sports training university in Israel — with a degree in Coaching.
Now, armed with the required certification and a wealth of knowledge and experience, Elior set out to begin a second life in football. But, while the first was in pursuit of his childhood dream, this one was in service to others. Above all else, Elior wanted to give the next generation of footballers the same guidance, mentorship, and support that was given to him by his coaches, friends, and family. And he did it exactly how his father would have wanted — with a selfless, humble spirit; rooted in a simple desire to help others, seeking nothing in return.
“I had the capacity to understand the game and pass on my knowledge to other people,” said Elior. “I had the careers and lessons of my coaches within me; now I could pass it on. Hopefully, one day I can see one of the kids I work with on television, fulfilling their dreams, with the knowledge that I was able to contribute to their success in a small way.”
After graduating from Wingate, Elior continued to live and work in Eilat. Sometimes, on weekends, he would travel with friends to Tel Aviv to go to a bar or a club, enjoy a drink and music, and unwind after a long week at work. On one of these routine trips Elior met a young woman named Hila. They talked, danced, and enjoyed each other’s company. That chance meeting led to a short relationship that ended amicably, on good terms. The product of that relationship, however, transformed their lives forever.
On January 28, 2005, Yuval Baranes was born to Elior Baranes and Hila Cohen. From the moment of his birth, he was the apple of their eye and the light of their world. “Since he was just a baby, my son has been everything to me,” said Elior. “His mother and I give him a lot of love and warmth — the same sort of love we received when we were growing up in our parents’ homes.” Indeed, Elior is for Yuval what his mother was to him — a constant positive and supportive presence in his life. Filling this role required Elior to mature as a person — to transition his focus from personal ambition to selfless service. “Fatherhood changed me. It made me grow up. It took me from someone looking for thrills, to being wholly committed to Yuval. From when he was a child till now, 24/7, I am always there for him. I give everything to him without wanting anything in return.”
Today, Elior’s life is defined primarily by his roles as a father and a coach. But it all started at Hapoel Tel Aviv — the club that he worshiped as a child, loved as a player, and supports in retirement. His brief, wondrous career laid the foundation for all that followed — and the values of Hapoel that inspired his parents and grandparents before him remain with Elior to this day. Equality and inclusion, community engagement, sportsmanship and fair play — each of these principles are rooted in humility and altruism; the same qualities that Elior’s parents instilled in him long ago. And, while Elior’s career ended 33 years ago, his love for Hapoel endures to this day — as does the appreciation he has for the opportunity to play for the greatest club in the world.
“The 80s were a once in a lifetime period. Hapoel was an empire in those days. All of the footballers were people that you worshiped. I thank God that I had the chance to be a part of that group and this club.”
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