Israeli Champions Hapoel Be'er Sheva Impress Serbian Media After Defeating Red Star Belgrade Twice

Hapoel Be'er Sheva stunned Serbian media and fans after defeating Red Star Belgrade twice in August 2026, despite the Serbian club's heavy summer investments. While Serbian outlets criticized Red Star's performance, they praised the Israeli champions for their tactical maturity and composure. "Be'er Sheva played exactly as they wanted," noted local reports, highlighting the Israeli team's control and strategic play.

Former Red Star player Andrija Kluđerović complimented Be'er Sheva's clear game plan, stating the Israeli side "knew exactly what they were doing at every moment" and that the scoreline should have been 3-0 in their favor. Dragomir Okuka, chairman of the Serbian Football Coaches Association and a prominent analyst, concurred, calling Red Star the weaker side and acknowledging Be'er Sheva's deserved victory.

Serbian media were particularly surprised by Be'er Sheva's calm and focused approach, noting they maintained 60% ball possession despite expectations they would play defensively after their first-leg win. The Israeli team effectively absorbed Red Star's pressure early in the second half and exploited their weaknesses with rapid counterattacks. Key players praised included Eliel Peretz, described as "excellent," and Javon East, who "did a great job in Red Star's half." The coverage emphasized that Be'er Sheva "did not fear the hell of Belgrade" but played confidently and precisely.