Hapoel Be'er Sheva Faces Red Star Belgrade in Champions League Third Qualifying Round

Hapoel Be'er Sheva secured their place in a European league stage after overturning a deficit against Vikingur, winning 2-0 in the second leg on Wednesday. The Israeli champions now aim to compete in the UEFA Champions League, but face a tough challenge in the third qualifying round against Serbian powerhouse Red Star Belgrade. The first leg will be played next week in Sombathely, Hungary, with the return leg scheduled for August 11 at Red Star's home ground, Marakana Stadium in Belgrade.

Red Star Belgrade, a club familiar with Israeli players, has featured Israeli talent almost every season in recent years. Notably, their only previous encounter with an Israeli champion ended in a painful defeat when Maccabi Haifa eliminated them on the way to the group stage four years ago. Former Maccabi Tel Aviv defender Omri Glazer currently guards Red Star's goal, and Mohammed Abu Fani, recently acquired from Ferencváros, is part of their squad. Abu Fani will face several of his Israeli national teammates in this matchup.

Another recent signing, Louizo Louizo, who joined from Hapoel Tel Aviv for 3.5 million euros, scored his first goal in the second leg against Northern Ireland's Larne. Former Israeli Premier League player Derek Lokassen, a defender who previously played for Maccabi Tel Aviv, also strengthens Red Star's defense. The Serbian champions' key player is 37-year-old Marko Arnautović, Austria's all-time top scorer and appearance leader, who scored twice in the recent match, including a goal assisted by Louizo.

Captain Mirko Ivanić, vice-captain Aleksandar Katai, and striker Bruno Duarte lead the team, with young talent Vasili Kostov, an 18-year-old midfielder valued at 25 million euros, also in the squad. Another young player, Adam Abdić (born 2007), is currently injured. Red Star also features Osman Bukari on loan from Widzew Łódź and striker Strahinja Eraković, who returned to the club recently.

Hapoel Be'er Sheva will host the first leg in Hungary before traveling to Serbia for the decisive second leg, hoping to advance to the Champions League group stage for the first time in their history.