Israeli Football Clubs Face Crucial European Playoff Draws with Big Stakes

Four Israeli football clubs, Hapoel Be'er Sheva, Maccabi Tel Aviv, Beitar Jerusalem, and Hapoel Tel Aviv, are set to be drawn today (Monday, August 3) for the European competition playoffs, determining their paths in the upcoming season. The draws, starting at 13:00, will impact their chances in the UEFA Champions League, Europa League, and Conference League.

Hapoel Be'er Sheva will face Red Star Belgrade in the third qualifying round on August 4 and 11. If they advance, they will be seeded in the playoff round with a chance to reach the Champions League group stage, facing teams like Celje, Ararat, LASK Linz, or Viking. Failure to advance will place them unseeded in the Europa League playoff, with possible opponents including Benfica, Rangers, and Salzburg. Be'er Sheva has already secured 3.17 million euros from previous wins, with an additional 4.31 million euros possible upon advancing.

Maccabi Tel Aviv will meet CSKA Sofia on August 6 and 13. A win guarantees a seeded spot in the Europa League playoff and a place in the group stage, with potential rivals such as Red Star Belgrade, St. Truiden, and Trabzonspor. A loss relegates them to the Conference League playoff unseeded, where they could face clubs like Atalanta, Monaco, or Ajax. Maccabi has secured 750,000 euros so far, with 3.17 million euros awaiting if they progress.

Beitar Jerusalem and Hapoel Tel Aviv both face Austrian and Polish opponents respectively, Austria Vienna and Katowice, on August 6 and 13. Both clubs will be unseeded if they reach the Conference League playoff round, with a wide range of possible opponents including Ajax, Gent, and Salzburg. Failure to advance past the third round means elimination from European competition. Both teams have guaranteed 550,000 euros, rising to 750,000 euros if they advance.

The draws will shape the European futures of these clubs, with significant financial rewards and competitive opportunities at stake. The Israeli teams' performances in these playoffs will determine their presence in Europe's top football tournaments this season.