Israeli Football Clubs Achieve Historic European Success for First Time Since 2017
For the first time since the 2017/18 season, all four Israeli football clubs competing in European tournaments have advanced to the next stage, marking a significant achievement for Israeli soccer. The teams involved are Hapoel Be'er Sheva, Maccabi Tel Aviv, Hapoel Tel Aviv, and Beitar Jerusalem, all of which successfully passed their qualifying rounds.
Hapoel Be'er Sheva secured a 2-1 aggregate victory over Vikingur, completing a remarkable comeback in the second leg to reach the third qualifying round of the Champions League. This advancement guarantees them at least a spot in the Conference League group stage and a substantial financial reward. Maccabi Tel Aviv dominated Sheriff Tiraspol with a 6-0 aggregate win, including a 5-0 away victory, ensuring at least a place in the Conference League playoffs and aiming for their fourth consecutive European league stage appearance.
Beitar Jerusalem won their away match in Cyprus to progress further, aspiring to reach the Europa League group stage for the first time in club history. Meanwhile, Hapoel Tel Aviv returned to European competition after a 12-year absence, overcoming the strong Ludogorets team to advance to the next round despite being considered underdogs.
This collective success not only boosts the clubs' prospects but also improves Israel's UEFA coefficient ranking, potentially increasing the number of Israeli representatives in future European competitions. The teams now hope to continue their impressive runs and achieve historic milestones for Israeli football.
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