Spurs fans pay tribute to October 7 victim - The Jewish Chronicle

Spurs flags were raised into the air during the seventh minute of the Tottenham-Arsenal football match on Sunday in a tribute to Nir Nikita Popov, who was murdered by Hamas on October 7.

The commemoration was organised Popov’s girlfriend of seven years, Ravit Titan, who spread the message on a Facebook group that she and her sister would be cheering for Popov — who was a passionate Spurs fan — and raising the flag to honour his memory.

Popov, from Ashdod, was 25 years old when he was murdered by Hamas terrorists on his way to work.

He was a security guard to Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi and was making his way to the minister’s home in Zimrat, near Netivot, when he was murdered.

Titan, 24, posted online that she would be travelling to London to watch Popov’s favourite team play, and that she would be raising the Israeli flag as a tribute to her boyfriend and giving out flags to anyone who wished to join her.

Ravit Titan, girlfriend of Nir Nikita Popov, who was murdered by Hamas on October 7, at Spurs (Photo: Ravit Titan)[Missing Credit]

“When I posted, it I never thought it would blow up, but there were a lot of people messaging from Israel and here in London, Jewish people — a lot took ten to 15 flags to give to their friends,” she told the JC.

Initially only planning to produce 20 Spurs flags with Nir’s face on, Titan ended up making 50 and spent Sunday morning distributing them across London to Spurs fans who wanted to take part in the commemoration.

Describing the moment when cheers resounded and flags were raised for Popov, Titan said she was surprised that she didn’t feel “sadness” but instead felt joy.

Ravit Titan, girlfriend of Nir Nikita Popov, who was murdered by Hamas on October 7, with former Spurs player Ledley King (Photo: Ravit Titan)[Missing Credit]

“I was shocked that I didn’t cry at all,” she said. “I was so happy to know that people know Nir, also here in London and in the Spurs community. It made me so happy to know that I could bring his name to his favourite place, and his favourite thing — football.

“It makes me feel good to see Jewish people around who want to take part in this memorial for Nir, and London was our favourite city. We went here three times; he wanted to propose to me here in January on my birthday, but he couldn’t make it.”

Spurs flags held in memory of October 7 victim Nir Nikita Popov (Photo: Spurs Israel)[Missing Credit]

“He had a red, golden hair, and I always said: ‘Your hair is as golden as your heart.’ He was the best person ever and always made everyone happy. He always did good things for others, whether they knew him or not,” she said.

“He was funny. He loved football — that was such a big part of his life, especially Tottenham of course.

“He was just the best person ever. I wish we could have lived more life together.”

Topics:

October 7

Tottenham Hotspurs