Maccabi Tel Aviv and Hapoel Be'er Sheva Learn Possible Playoff Opponents in European Qualifiers

Maccabi Tel Aviv and Hapoel Be'er Sheva discovered their potential opponents for the upcoming playoff rounds in European competitions on Monday. Both Israeli clubs still need to clear the third qualifying round to advance, but they now know their possible paths to the group stages. Maccabi Tel Aviv, aiming for a fourth consecutive European winter campaign, will face Bulgarian side CSKA Sofia in the third qualifying round of the UEFA Europa League. The first leg is scheduled for August 20, with the return leg on August 27. If Maccabi advances, they will meet Greek club OFI Crete in the playoff round, securing a spot in either the Europa League or the UEFA Conference League group stage. Maccabi reached this stage after defeating Sheriff Tiraspol with a 5-0 home win and a 1-0 away victory.

Should Maccabi lose to CSKA Sofia, they will drop to the Conference League playoffs, potentially facing winners from Braga vs. Dinamo Minsk, Dynamo Kyiv vs. Qarabag, Partizan Belgrade vs. Tobol, or Lugano vs. Runavik. Meanwhile, Hapoel Be'er Sheva, the Israeli champions, aim to reach the UEFA Champions League group stage for the first time in their history. They will play Red Star Belgrade in the third qualifying round, with the first leg at a home-designated venue in Hungary on August 18 or 19, and the second leg in Denmark or Azerbaijan on August 25 or 26. If Be'er Sheva is eliminated by Red Star, they will enter the Europa League playoff round against Viktoria Plzen, hosting the first leg on August 20 and playing the return leg in the Czech Republic on August 27.