Israeli Handball League Kicks Off With 13 Teams, New Entrants

The Israeli Winner Handball League is set to begin this Friday, featuring 13 teams. Hapoel Arad and Maccabi Kiryat Motzkin have been promoted to the top division. Relegations were frozen this season due to the "Operation Breaking Dawn" conflict. The opening week's marquee matchup pits Hapoel Ashdod against Maccabi Tel Aviv at 2:00 PM, broadcast live on Sport 5+.

These two teams recently met in the Winner Cup, with Maccabi Tel Aviv securing a 34:29 victory. In other opening day games, promoted Hapoel Arad will make its historic league debut against Hapoel Rishon LeZion. Maccabi Beer Sheva will face Maccabi Holon, and Ironi Rehovot will host newcomer Maccabi Kiryat Motzkin. The reigning champion and cup winner, AS Ramat Hasharon, will start its title defense against Hapoel Kiryat Ono.

Hapoel Ashdod, which has re-signed brothers Adir and Naor Cohen, aims for a strong start at home against Maccabi Tel Aviv. Tel Aviv, after being eliminated from European competition this week, seeks to rebound in the league. Hapoel Arad faces the most decorated club in Israeli handball, Hapoel Rishon LeZion, in its historic first top-flight home game. Both teams were eliminated from the Judges' Cup.

Maccabi Beer Sheva, which narrowly avoided relegation last season, has a new coach, Peter Komnenic, and an almost entirely new roster of eight players. Maccabi Holon has had a strong start to its season, advancing in the Judges' Cup and the European Cup. Ironi Rehovot hopes to improve on last season's performance against Maccabi Kiryat Motzkin, which narrowly defeated them in the Winner Cup. AS Ramat Hasharon, the league and cup champion, has retained most of its championship squad and added two key players, while Leonardo de Almeida has retired. Hapoel Kiryat Ono faces a tough away game against the champions.

The game between Maccabi Rishon LeZion and Bnei Herzliya has been postponed to September 29th due to Maccabi Rishon LeZion's European commitments. A.C. Nes Ziona will have a bye in the first round.