Maccabi Tel Aviv Advances to Athena Cup Semifinals on Tiebreaker

Maccabi Tel Aviv has secured a spot in the Athena Cup semifinals, advancing over Hapoel Tel Aviv due to a unique tiebreaker rule. The decision came after the final round of matches in the tournament on Sunday. Despite Hapoel Tel Aviv's decisive 5-3 victory over Hapoel Ra'anana, fueled by a hat-trick from Eden Avital, they were eliminated.

M.S. Kiryat Gat also advanced to the semifinals, defeating Maccabi ASA Tel Aviv 1-0. Both Kiryat Gat and Maccabi Tel Aviv finished the group stage with six points, alongside Hapoel Tel Aviv. The tiebreaker initially considered the number of wins, where all three teams had two. The subsequent tiebreaker, however, looked at the teams' final standings in the previous league season. Kiryat Gat, as the previous season's runner-up, and Maccabi Tel Aviv, who finished third, advanced. Hapoel Tel Aviv, having been promoted from the second division (Leumit) last season, was excluded by this rule.

In the other group, Hapoel Katamon Jerusalem, already qualified, completed their group stage with a perfect record by beating Bnot Netanya 5-0. Maccabi Keren Hadera secured the final semifinal spot by crushing Maccabi Holon 4-0 in a decisive match. Hadera and Holon had entered the final round tied on points, with Hadera's dominant win earning them a place in the top four.

The semifinals are scheduled for September 3rd, with Hapoel Katamon Jerusalem facing Maccabi ASA Tel Aviv, and M.S. Kiryat Gat playing Maccabi Keren Hadera. Hapoel Tel Aviv will compete for fifth place against Maccabi Holon.