It took quite some effort for the PSV supporters to get to Israel. PSV will play the return match there against Maccabi Tel Aviv tonight. In order to be able to attend the competition, a lot of testing had to be done and a large folder with documentation.
Fransjan Saes is one of the fifty supporters who will support PSV in Tel Aviv tomorrow. When we call him on Wednesday afternoon, he is on the beach with a bunch of other supporters. Remarkable since you actually have to quarantine on arrival while waiting for a test to be taken at the airport.
“When I arrived at the hotel, I received an email in Hebrew,” says Fransjan. I had it translated by an employee of the hotel. He did indeed say that I had to be quarantined until I received the results of my PCR test. But I also soon noticed that the man did not look very closely. We could just go to the beach without being checked.”
A nice windfall for the PSV supporter who was already enjoying a beer in the sun in time. It was already the second windfall. Fransjan already booked the flight a long time ago. “I saw that there was a flight for 67 euros. I then took the gamble. Eventually the rules were relaxed and I had to test and bring some documents with me.”
For Fransjan, it will be his 59th official European away game that he visits from PSV. But for that he had to put in a lot of effort. “I had to test in Eindhoven and as soon as I had that result, I had to fill in all kinds of forms online again. Then of course it doesn’t work in one go. It took me a while.”
There are also risks associated with the journey due to the testing obligations in the country itself. “In the worst case, I tested positive here. Then I have to stay here longer and quarantine. Then I have to arrange something with my work, but I don’t think so.”
Many supporters will have been put off by the possible 24-hour quarantine obligation in Israel, but that is not necessary. It causes a lot of jealous reactions from the Netherlands. “It all seems very strict in advance, but it’s nothing. It seems more like a money grab. Now that I’m here on the beach, I do get a lot of comments from friends who regret staying at home.”
Finally, Fransjan is just as negative about tomorrow’s race as his PCR test in Eindhoven. “I just have a bad feeling about it. Especially now that Cody Gakpo is not participating. But let’s be honest. It would be a shame if it doesn’t work out. But I’m afraid we’re going to be bluffed.”
PSV defend a 1-0 lead against Maccabi Tel Aviv tonight. The winner over two matches will qualify for the eighth finals of the Conference League.