Israeli Football Clubs Face Historic Challenges in European Playoff Qualification

Since UEFA introduced the playoff round in the 2009/2010 European football season under then-president Michel Platini, Israeli clubs have faced this stage 11 times. On the upcoming Tuesday, Hapoel Be'er Sheva will become the 13th Israeli team to attempt to reach the playoff round. Be'er Sheva is only the second Israeli club to compete without a home stadium advantage, following Maccabi Tel Aviv in 2014 during Operation Protective Edge.

In their recent first leg match, played 3,449 kilometers apart between Be'er Sheva's Toto Turner Stadium and Hungary's Hidegkuti Nándor Stadion, Be'er Sheva defeated Red Star Belgrade 1-0 despite playing with ten men from the 58th minute. This victory was achieved despite the recent departure of key midfielder Kings Kangwa, who scored 29 goals and assisted 18 times over two seasons. The team's commitment, pressing style, and defensive leadership by Vitor and Rotman were crucial in securing this important advantage before the second leg in Belgrade's "Marakana" stadium.

Historically, Israeli teams have struggled in the third qualifying round, often losing the first leg but managing comebacks in the second. For example, Maccabi Tel Aviv in 2013 lost 1-0 to Basel but drew 3-3 in the return leg. Hapoel Be'er Sheva themselves lost 5-0 to Dinamo Zagreb in 2017 but salvaged a 2-2 draw at home. Several Israeli clubs, including Maccabi Haifa, Hapoel Tel Aviv, and Ironi Kiryat Shmona, have advanced past the third round but were later eliminated in the playoffs.

Since the format change to four qualifying rounds, 73% of Israeli teams have progressed beyond the third round. Notably, in all five cases where the second leg was played away, the Israeli club advanced. Historically, half of the Israeli teams that passed the third round also succeeded in reaching the group stage, with an overall 36% chance of making it to the prestigious competition. Be'er Sheva has completed half the journey and will aim to secure their place in the group stage in Belgrade.

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