Hapoel Be'er Sheva Faces Maccabi Tel Aviv in Season's First Title Clash at Turner Stadium

The 2026/27 Israeli football season officially kicks off on Thursday evening with the Super Cup match between reigning league champions Hapoel Be'er Sheva and State Cup holders Maccabi Tel Aviv at Turner Stadium. This encounter, dubbed the 'Champion of Champions' match, is a rematch of last season's intense State Cup final and comes just before both teams begin their European campaigns in the Champions League and Conference League qualifiers next week.

Hapoel Be'er Sheva enters the match determined to defend their title, with coach Ran Kozuch emphasizing the team's readiness despite a short break. The club will debut new goalkeeper Marko Wolf, whom Kozuch trusts fully, while also expressing confidence in backup goalkeeper Niv Eliasi's development. Kozuch dismissed rumors about key players Kings Kangwa and Lucas Ventura, affirming their full commitment. Team captain Miguel Vitor, who renewed his contract for another season, expressed optimism about the team's improvement. Kozuch also condemned the violent incidents that marred last season's cup final and vowed to prevent their recurrence.

Maccabi Tel Aviv faces significant squad challenges, arriving with only two foreign players available, Issouf Sissoko and Mohamed Ali Kamara, due to injuries, suspensions, and players still on World Cup break. Coach Kenny Miller has been preparing two tactical formations to cope with the shortage, potentially deploying a five-defender lineup with Itay Ben Hamo as a third center-back and Dor Peretz possibly playing as a secondary striker. A positive note for Maccabi is the inclusion of Oshar Davida, who may partner with Orel Baiya and young Saeed Abu Farhi in attack. Goalkeeper Ofek Malika is set to start, while the club continues efforts to strengthen the squad with new wingers and a foreign striker.

A key storyline involves Hapoel Be'er Sheva's top scorer from last season, Dan Biton, who has been sidelined due to a complex medical condition. While coach Kozuch maintained confidentiality about Biton's status, Biton himself broke his silence on social media, describing his ongoing medical treatments and expressing determination to return to the field soon. He thanked fans for their support and promised to share updates when possible.

Projected lineups include Maccabi Tel Aviv starting with Ofek Malika in goal, a defensive line of Shagiv Yehezkel, Itay Ben Hamo, Mohamed Ali Kamara, and Raz Shlomo, midfielders Issouf Sissoko, Dan Glazer, Dor Peretz, and Ido Shahar, and forwards Abu Farhi and Orel Baiya. Hapoel Be'er Sheva is expected to field Marko Wolf in goal, defenders Guy Mizrahi, Miguel Vitor, Matan Baltaksa, and Ofir Davidzada, midfielders Lucas Ventura, Kings Kangwa, and Eliel Peretz, and forwards Roy Levi, Igor Zlatanovic, and Amir Ganah.

The match promises to set the tone for the season ahead, with both teams eager to claim the first trophy and build momentum for their upcoming European challenges.