Summer Grand Final 29/2/2016: Powerhouse 2 v 3 Maccabi (Suss 2, Levy)

The Maccabi Vets have beaten the odds to win the 2015/16 premiership. Their opponent, the Powerhouse Saints went into the game undefeated in five years, showing their ability and the task ahead for the Thunderducks.

Maccabi started the game in much the same way the played last week, right on the attack and in total control. Damien Suss continued his form from last week’s semi final owning the midfield along side Harley Cohen and Gary Beville. It was Suss who opened the scoring with with a run that took him past two defenders before placing the ball underneath the advancing keeper. It was just reward for the dominance that Maccabi had held.

However, being the dominant team that they have been over the years, Powerhouse were always likely to get back into the game. Their first chance of the match brought the scores level when a short corner was scrambled over the line despite the efforts of Roma Fridkin in goal.

Through Dave Birnbaum, the Thunderducks reclaimed total control of the match from here on. Birnbaum thwarted every Powerhouse counter attack and his distribution continually kept the Saints locked inside their own 25.

Maccabi deservedly retook the lead just before the break when Peter Rubinstein released Eyal Geiger down the right wing. Geiger ran 30 meters before delivering to Suss who scored his second diving goal of the game.

It was more of the same after the break. Maccabi in control of possession, The Saints working on the counter attack. Maccabi’s third goal came from Dave Birnbaum’s vision; a 30 meter pass to the leading Geiger, his deft deflection saw the ball land on the stick of Wayne Levy. Levy cooly dispatched the goal and at 3-1 it was going to be difficult for Powerhouse to get back into it.

With time running out, and a stellar performance from Maccabi, the Saints had one more trick up their sleeve. A brilliant solo goal with a back stick finish made for a nervy final couple of minutes.

Seconds later, the final whistle announced that the Maccabi Thunderducks had for the first time dethrowned Powerhouse and claim the long awaited Summer premiership.

Photo Gallery

Back L-R: Peter Rubinstein, Gary Beville, Pieter de Jong, Damien Suss, Gavin Sekler, Roma Fridkin, Yaron Flicker, Wayne Levy, David Birnbaum

Front L-R: Harley Cohen, Leon Rothman, Glen Kanevsky, Mark Lew, Danny Grunfeld, Eyal Geiger

22/9/2014 Vets C Grand Final: G.D Warriors 0 v 4 Maccabi ( )

Back L-R: Eyal Geiger, Yaron Flicker, Damien Suss, David Treger, Wayne Levy, Paul, Gavin Sekler, David Birnbaum

Front L-R: Roma Fridkin, Peter Rubinstein, Gary Brown, Justin Baigel, Danny Grunfeld, Harley Cohen, Robbie Gore

Men Win Grand Final 2013

15/9/2013 Grand Final: Footscray 2 v 3 Maccabi (Brown 2, Birnbaum)

Maccabi Hockey Club congratulates our 1sts mens team on the grand final win 2013

Jewish news article – http://www.jewishnews.net.au/marvellous-maccabi-triumphant/32484

MACCABI’S senior hockey team won its first premiership in seven years after a tremendous 3-2 victory over Footscray in an enthralling grand final at the State Netball and Hockey Centre.
After failing to defeat the minor premiers on three previous occasions, Maccabi managed to get the job done in the most important hit-out of all, with David Birnbaum scoring the winner with only minutes to go in the extra time period.

“Normally it’s us on the other end of the scoreline,” skipper Darren Krawitz told The AJN after the win. “So it’s nice to finally get a win … and what a great season, it’s [been] fantastic.”

Veteran Gary Brown played a starring role up forward, scoring on either side of half-time to give Maccabi the lead on both occasions. His first came after 20 minutes of play, getting Maccabi off to a flyer and ensuring the side would take a much-needed advantage heading into half-time, which was kept intact thanks to a resolute defence led by Krawitz and Birnbaum.

However, Footscray hit back straight after the restart and almost had a second minutes later. Both teams had several chances to take the lead, before Brown slotted his second of the game after a superb link-up with Gary Beville.
Footscray again put the pressure on Maccabi, levelling the scores for the second time when a long-range strike deflected off a Maccabi stick and went into the back of the net.

Neither side could capitalise on last-minute opportunities, with the game set to be decided in overtime. Footscray was destined for the win when it had a three on one chance at goal, but Maccabi goalkeeper Danny Berhang produced a remarkable save to keep his side in the contest. His team repaid the favour in the dying stages of extra time, with Birnbaum capitalising on Maccabi’s 10th short corner for the match, when he found himself free at the back post to secure the win.

“The grand final is just one game in the season,” Krawitz said.
“But you’ve still got to win the other 18, plus we did it the hard way, having to go through all three finals.”

You Tube

Jewish News Photo Gallery

Back L-R: Gary Beville, David Birnbaum, Jeremy Robin, Jonathan Lazarus, Lawrence Lifson, ?, ?

Front L-R: ?, Brent Kallis, Darren Krawitz, Gary Brown, Danny Berhang

Mens Vets win GF

11/3/2012: Summer Grand Final: Maccabi 6 v 1 Footscray (Levy 3, N.Same, Stollar, Flicker)

The Maccabi Vets, the hockey club’s masters team, have registered a 6-1 win over Footscray in the grand final of the Victorian Masters Southern Division to win their second premiership in three years.

The Vets had a hugely successful season and were untroubled in the final, scoring five goals in the second half to take the title.

“It’s a very good feeling when you win,” Vets captain Daniel Grunfeld told The AJN.

“We had a very united team, and the older you get the more important the win is, so it really bonds you together. As they say, it’s all for one and one for all.”

Maccabi was able to deal with the horrendous conditions better than its opposition, but after taking the lead on 17 minutes through Norman Same, the side couldn’t convert more opportunities.

The Vets almost gave up their advantage when Footscray was awarded a penalty stroke, but second-gamer Roma Fridkin coolly denied his opposition, and kept Maccabi in front heading into the main break.

“The save was very important going into half-time,” Grunfeld said. “If they had scored it would have made it 1-1, and the game [would have been] in the balance.

“So I gave the guys a big rev up and they played really well.” Maccabi came out with all guns blazing in the second half, and put on a dazzling display, romping to victory with another five goals. Wayne Levy led the way with three, while David Stollar and Yaron Flicker were also able to find the back of the net.

“It’s a good feeling to win,” Grunfeld said. “It’s exhilarating and drives you to see how far you go.”

The side won the winter tournament back in 2010, and came close again last year but fell short in the final, so it was a special victory after disappointment not long ago.

“We had a commitment to win all year and we did that, so we now have a commitment to win next season,” Grunfeld said.

“Everyone really puts in evenly, and we work towards a common goal to put the ball in the net and win the game.”

Back L-R: ?, Leon Rothman, ?, Peter Rubinstein, ?, Duncan Gering, Roman Fridkin, Gavin Sekler

Front L-R: Wayne Levy, Danny Grunfeld, David Rosner, David Stollar, Harley Cohen, David Treger, Norman Same

Ajax Triumphs after 26-year drought

10/9/2000: Ajax 1 v 1 Southern Knights (3-2 after penalties)

They were not to be denied. Not this time. Three times in the past five years Ajax Hockey Club had made the Grand Final – but ended up on the losing side. And to add insult to injury, on all three occasions, they had been defeated in a penalty shoot-out, the cruelest way to lose a match.

But not this time.

As the ball crashed into the back of the net from the stick of gary Beville, the sense of excitement – and relief – was immense. Ajax Hockey Club’s firsts had realised a premiership dream – one that had taken them 26 years to achieve again, the last one in 1974. The result – 3-2 victory on penalties over Southern Knights, following a 1-1 draw after full-time, and a stalemate during two 10 minute halves of extra time.

Coach Wayne Levy, who was thrust into the role in round three this year, felt it perhaps more tahn any other player. As a 17-year veteran at the club, with almost 350 senior games to his credit, he had never played in a winning grand final.

“It was totally exhilaration” he told the AJN. “It was great to get the monkey off the back as well as get the club its first senior flag in 26-years.”

At the other end of the experience scale, 17 year old goalkeeper Andrew Sward proved to be the hero for Ajax, saving three penalty strokes to give Ajax the advantage.

President Michael Balint, who helped found the club some 40 years ago, said the victory would ensure the club’s juniors have something they can aspire to.

“We really hope that we can develop a good junior stream coming through the ranks and into State league ranks” he said

And with the 2000 State League Four flag safely in their keeping, Ajax Hockey Club can now look at State League Three, and another shot at an all-too-rare premiership.

Brendon Cohen

Back L-R: Andrew Sward, Eyal Geiger, Simon Firestone, Peter Rubinstein, Tristan Rich, Ari Same, Simon Robin, Wayne Levy (captain/coach), Gary Beville, Damien Suss, Pinchas Birnbaum (team manager)

Front L-R: David Birnbaum, Justin Baigel, Harley Cohen, David Rood, Justin Robin