Hapoel Tel Aviv Advances to Conference League Playoff Despite Loss in Poland
Hapoel Tel Aviv secured their place in the playoff round of the UEFA Conference League qualifiers after a tense second-leg match against Katowice in Poland on August 12, 2026. Although the Israeli team lost 2-1 in the match, they advanced with a 3-2 aggregate score. Roy Alcock set up Stav Toriel, who scored in the 23rd minute to give Hapoel an early lead in the tie. However, Katowice scored twice in the final minutes, putting pressure on Hapoel before they ultimately held on to progress.
This advancement marks a significant achievement for Hapoel Tel Aviv, as it is their first time since the 2011/12 season to pass through two qualifying rounds in a European competition. Their next challenge will be facing the Italian club Atalanta, which represents the toughest hurdle before reaching the group stage of the Conference League.
The match started positively for Hapoel, with Emmanuel Boateng missing a close chance early on and Fernan Mayembo also failing to capitalize on a key opportunity. Despite the late goals conceded, Hapoel's resilience ensured their progression to the playoff round, setting up a high-profile encounter with Atalanta.
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