Former Hapoel Be'er Sheva Player David Hofer Looks Forward to European Clash as Coach

Hapoel Be'er Sheva was drawn into the group stage of the UEFA Europa League on August 28, 2026, where they will face several notable teams, including Union Saint-Gilloise. The Belgian club is coached by David Hofer, a former Hapoel Be'er Sheva player who spent half a season with the Israeli club in 2013-14. Hofer, who took over as Union Saint-Gilloise's coach in October last year, expressed his excitement about the upcoming match against his former team.

Speaking after the draw, Hofer said he does not personally know the current players or staff of Hapoel Be'er Sheva but remains familiar with the club's owner, Alona Barkat. He noted that since his time there, the club has maintained its status as a top contender in Israeli football. Hofer acknowledged the strength of other Israeli teams like Beitar Jerusalem and Maccabi Tel Aviv but emphasized that Hapoel Be'er Sheva has become a significant force in the league. He described the prospect of facing them as "quite exciting and special."