Hapoel Be'er Sheva's Greatest European Upsets Ahead of Red Star Clash

Hapoel Be'er Sheva is preparing to face Red Star Belgrade in the third qualifying round of the UEFA Champions League, entering as clear underdogs against the experienced Serbian side. Despite expectations favoring Red Star, Be'er Sheva has a notable history of surprising stronger European opponents, with several memorable victories and near-misses that have marked the club's continental journey.

Historically, Be'er Sheva's European campaigns were often short-lived before the era of owner Alona Barkat and the opening of Turner Stadium. However, the club has recorded five standout moments, mostly from the 2016 season, that highlight its ability to challenge top teams. These include a dramatic 2-3 home win over Inter Milan in November 2016, where Be'er Sheva overturned a 0-2 deficit to claim a historic victory, and a 2-0 win at Inter's iconic San Siro stadium earlier that September.

Other significant matches include a 1-0 victory against Olympiacos in August 2016, secured by Shir Tzedek's late goal, and a 1-1 draw at Southampton in December 2016 that ensured progression to the knockout stage of the Europa League for the first time. A notable near-success was the 0-2 home loss to Celtic in August 2016, where Be'er Sheva came close to a sensational comeback but ultimately fell short.

Additional noteworthy European results outside the top five include a 2-0 win over Ludogorets in July 2017, a 1-0 victory against Nice in December 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic, and a 1-0 triumph over Viktoria Plzen in October 2020, which helped the club reach the Europa League group stage.

As Be'er Sheva prepares for its upcoming match against Red Star, these historical performances underscore the club's potential to defy expectations and add a new chapter to its European legacy.