Hapoel Be'er Sheva Nears Historic Champions League Qualification With Veteran Miguel Vitor Leading

Hapoel Be'er Sheva is just two matches away from qualifying for the UEFA Champions League group stage, a feat no Israeli club has achieved since Maccabi Haifa's appearance four years ago. The team must overcome Sabah FK, the Azerbaijani champions, in a two-legged playoff starting with the home match in Bucharest on August 19, 2026, at 22:00 local time. Despite a rocky start to their European campaign, including losses to Maccabi Tel Aviv and Icelandic side Vikingur, Be'er Sheva has improved significantly, eliminating Red Star Belgrade with dominant performances in both legs. Sabah, founded in 2017 and making its first potential Champions League appearance, poses a tough challenge, having recently signed Alexander Sverkina, a former Maccabi Haifa player.

Be'er Sheva's squad faces some disciplinary risks, with defenders Itay Rotman and Eliel Peretz carrying yellow cards that could sideline them for the second leg in Baku if they receive another caution. Coach Ran Kozuch is expected to field a lineup similar to recent European matches, with key player Niv Yehoshua returning from injury. Approximately 1,000 Be'er Sheva fans are anticipated to attend the Bucharest match, creating a record turnout for the club's current European campaign.

Central to Be'er Sheva's hopes is veteran captain Miguel Vitor, who joined the club in 2016 with the explicit goal of reaching the Champions League. The 37-year-old Portuguese defender has been instrumental in the club's successes, including three league titles and multiple European campaigns, but has yet to secure Champions League group stage qualification. After overcoming injuries and a period of diminished playing time, Vitor has reestablished himself as a key leader and defender, pairing effectively with young recruit Itay Rotman. This playoff represents potentially the final opportunity for Vitor to fulfill his long-held ambition and add a crowning achievement to his distinguished career with Hapoel Be'er Sheva.