Austria Vienna Set to Face Beitar Jerusalem in Conference League Third Qualifying Round

Beitar Jerusalem advanced to the third qualifying round of the UEFA Conference League on July 30, 2026, after defeating AEK Larnaca, marking their first step toward the group stage since the 2008/09 season. Their next opponent is Austria Vienna, a prominent Austrian club with a rich history, including 24 league titles and 27 cups. Austria Vienna has a strong European pedigree, having reached the UEFA Cup final in the 1980s and appearing eight times in group stages across various European competitions.

The Austrian club has also been home to eight Israeli players over the years, such as Avi Benyamin, Shay Holtzman, and Omar Damari. Despite recent financial difficulties and lower league finishes, Austria Vienna stabilized last season, finishing fourth in the Austrian Bundesliga. Their squad is valued at approximately 23.07 million euros, compared to Beitar Jerusalem's 17.04 million euros.

Austria Vienna is coached by Stefan Helmer, who has led the team for three years, restoring order during tough financial times. Key players include defender Aleksandar Dragović, who returned to the club after stints at Bayer Leverkusen and Leicester City and has over 100 caps for Austria, and German striker Johannes Eggstein, the club's top scorer last season with nine goals, known for his aerial dominance. Meanwhile, Beitar Jerusalem begins their campaign under new coach Almog Cohen at Teddy Stadium.