Women's Handball Cup Semifinals Set for Live Broadcast

The first titles of the 2026/27 Israeli women's and men's handball season will be decided this weekend with the semifinals of the Athena Cup and Winner Cup. The women's semifinals kicked off Thursday evening with Maccabi Ha'Arzim Ramat Gan facing Bnot Ironi Herzliya, followed by the men's semifinal between M.K. Holon and Maccabi Rishon Le'Zion. The winners will compete for a NIS 10,000 prize and a spot in a European competition next season.

In the women's match, Bnot Ironi Herzliya, last year's champions who defeated Ramat Gan in all finals, are fielding a slightly altered roster. Key players Shir Vakeret and Liran Zaguri have moved to Hapoel Ashdod and M.K. Holon respectively. Maccabi Ha'Arzim Ramat Gan has largely retained its core team but lost captain Shir Gabay and corner player Keren Teplitzky. Jeseni Clementina from Angola will fill Teplitzky's position, and Nigerian national team goalkeeper Kahinde Titilope will share duties with Gaia Ben Zikri.

The rivalry between Herzliya and Ramat Gan has intensified over the years, culminating in their meeting in all finals last season. This year's semifinal clash is seen as a statement of intent for both teams. Herzliya, coached by Zivoyan Maksic, reached the semifinals after defeating A.S. Ramat HaSharon, while Ramat Gan beat Maccabi Petah Tikva.

The men's semifinal features M.K. Holon, who have had a strong start to the season with five consecutive wins across all competitions, against Maccabi Rishon Le'Zion, who also boasts a successful start with European progression and two Winner Cup victories. The second men's semifinal will pit A.S. Ramat HaSharon against Maccabi Tel Aviv.