Hapoel Tel Aviv Narrowly Eliminated From Conference League Playoffs Despite Strong Performance

Hapoel Tel Aviv was eliminated from the UEFA Conference League playoff round after a 1-0 loss to Atalanta on Thursday, despite a strong showing that nearly saw them score against the Italian side. Coach Eliniv Berda expressed deep disappointment, stating the team was at least equal to their opponents and possibly superior, highlighting significant improvement from the first leg. Berda praised his players for their mental preparation and belief, calling their performance "great" and emphasizing pride in their effort despite the early European exit.

Midfielder Omri Altman echoed the coach’s sentiments, noting the team felt capable of advancing and matched or exceeded Atalanta’s level. He lamented that the outcome hinged on small details and praised the fans for their unwavering support throughout six memorable European matches. Altman described the experience as amazing and expressed optimism about building a lasting tradition in European competition.

Berda also noted the team’s readiness to respond to market developments and shifted focus to the upcoming domestic league match on Sunday, calling the league "the bread and butter" from which their European journey began. The club aims to replicate their European form in the Israeli league moving forward.