Hapoel Tel Aviv Advances to Conference League Playoff, Plans Key Signings

Hapoel Tel Aviv secured their place in the Conference League playoff round after a tense 2-3 aggregate victory over Poland's Katowice on August 12, 2026. Despite the win, the team expressed mixed feelings due to a weaker second-half performance and a 2-1 loss in the second leg following a 2-0 first-leg lead. A player noted the team's strong campaign and deserved victories, even if recent performances were uneven.

The club praised standout performances from players Stav Turiel and Roy Elkukin, who maintained their excellent form. However, concerns remain about the team's defensive stability in the closing minutes. Hapoel Tel Aviv is actively seeking reinforcements, focusing on signing an Israeli left-back and a foreign left winger. They have shown interest in former player Yahav Gurfinkel, who currently plays in Larnaca but remains reluctant to return to Israel. Changes in his club's coaching staff may affect his availability.

Regarding the left-wing position, the club is concentrating efforts on finding a suitable foreign player. If a replacement is found, current player Shanda Silva, who has struggled with consistency since joining, may be asked to find a new club. The team recently returned to Israel after training camps in Hungary and Poland. It remains unclear how many tickets will be allocated to fans for the upcoming match in Bergamo against Atalanta, scheduled for the playoff round.

Before that, Hapoel Tel Aviv will face Kiryat Shmona in the Toto Cup on Sunday. New signing Awusu, who has yet to play, continues his adaptation process, with hopes to integrate him into the squad soon.