Sport

Parallel to the meeting between Hapoel Be'er Sheva and Sabah, three more matches were held this Wednesday as part of the Champions League qualifying playoff round. Celtic and Bodo/Glimt took a significant step toward the goal, and an Israeli Premier League ex-player provided an assist.

Hapoel Be'er Sheva is just 90 minutes away from history. The Israeli champion won 2-1 this Wednesday against Sabah in their "home" match in Bucharest, gaining an advantage ahead of the return leg in Azerbaijan and moving closer to their first-ever qualification for the Champions League league phase.

Despite the possibility of finishing in 13th place, which would normally guarantee staying in Division A, Israel's U16 girls' national team will play in Division B next year. This is due to the fact that Bulgaria, the host of the next championship, is also positioned within the 13th-16th place range. Israel lost to Lithuania 69-80 this Wednesday.

Maccabi Tel Aviv has finished its preparations for tomorrow's away match (Thursday, 21:30, Sport1) in Switzerland against Lugano, in the playoff round of the Conference League qualifiers. At the press conference, coach Kenny Miller emphasized that the team is focused on victory, despite challenging weather conditions and a tight schedule.

In the tunnels of Gaza, Yair Horn would mentally construct lineups and quietly hum Hapoel Be'er Sheva songs to keep his sanity. Then came the release, the helicopter over the stadium, and the return to the stands that didn't feel complete while his brother Eitan remained behind. Only now, for the first time since October 7, the family is starting the season at full strength: 'Of course, we must...

From the team that will only benefit from being eliminated in Europe and might go all the way this time, through the empire that fell asleep in the summer and might wake up to a nightmare, and to the champion of scandals praying for a miracle the likes of which Israeli football has never known.

One by one, the symbols of the Premier League teams stepped onto the grass at Bloomfield. Avi Nimni recalled his greatest moment, Itzhak Visoker asked Moshe Sinai for royalties, Eli Ohana and Michel Dayan embraced in Jerusalem brotherhood, Arik Benado discovered that he never sweats - and Motaleh Spiegler, as usual, stole the show.

Hapoel Be'er Sheva has moved its European matches to Bucharest and is aiming for a historic first qualification for the Champions League. Ahead of the playoff match against Sabah, Romanian media highlighted Ofri Arad, the Israeli player for Steaua Bucharest, who attended the game at the Rapid stadium. A GSP photographer captured Arad hugging Alona Barkat in the VIP box.

Just before the champions open the season, the Catalans beat Egypt's Al-Ahly 1:2 in the traditional preparation match. 28 minutes for Oriane Goren, who came off the bench.

An unprecedented deal is shaking the sports world as the Los Angeles Lakers are sold for a record $12.5 billion. The transaction brings not only astronomical financial stakes but also significant management changes amidst ongoing family turmoil.

The Portland Trail Blazers star spoke at the Israel Basketball Association's festive gala: "I tell children to believe in themselves, to dream big." Oded Kattash also spoke: "Over the years I have been privileged to coach the best, and I discovered how many layers coaching has." And also: the first class of the Israeli Basketball Hall of Fame.

Dimitris Itoudis holds a massive contract until 2028 but is demanding to reopen it following achievements in Europe. How will the management respond in light of the disappointment in the local arena?

A bizarre incident occurred during the traditional friendly match of Juventus against the club's reserve team at the Allianz Stadium. Dozens of fans stormed the pitch at the end of the match to celebrate with the players, but the event ended in an embarrassing injury for defender Federico Gatti.

Special interview for C14: Serious injuries in sports happen at the worst possible moments, and that is exactly what happened to Ofek Biton. The midfielder, who was having an excellent season with Hapoel Haifa with three goals and five assists, was stopped at the peak of his momentum following a torn cruciate ligament last February. In a close and special conversation with C14, he recounts the...

For the second time: The renowned referee did not pass the association's physical fitness tests and will be absent from the pitches in the near future, marking a dramatic moment for her new international status at UEFA.

The Israeli rider and the horse Landon de Niez are ranked seventh at the end of the first qualifying day. They finished without faults in a time of 72.50 seconds, just 0.95 seconds from first place. The Israeli team is ranked ninth at the end of the first day and is aiming for a ticket to Los Angeles 2028.

The senior referee has not been assigned to the opening rounds of the Premier League and must wait for the next fitness testing session at the Wingate Institute to resume her duties.

After nine years at the club, Roi Gladstone is stepping down. He will be replaced by a former editor of Walla and Israel Hayom, David Rosenthal, who will lead the yellow team's digital and communications system into a new era.

The 'Greens' midfielder will go on a one-year loan to the Hungarian club Győr. According to reports in Ukraine, a Ukraine national team player rejected an offer from the 'Greens'.

The Israeli defender hoped to move to Europe this summer, but with no significant international offers, Maccabi Tel Aviv is prepared to offer him an upgraded contract. All the details.

The two giants are preparing for significant reinforcements just before the season kicks off. The Red Devils have submitted a £65 million bid for Brighton midfielder Carlos Balba, while Arsenal is nearing a deal for Aston Villa defender Ezri Konsa, valued at £60 million.

The 'Yellows' have reached an agreement with Tondela for the transfer of the 23-year-old Ghanaian attacker, who departs after two seasons. Meanwhile, right-back Noam Schwartz (20) has been loaned from Maccabi Tel Aviv to Hapoel Ramat Gan.

The Australian tennis player (31) was tested during the Mallorca tournament and tested positive for cocaine. Following the findings, he has been suspended from all tour activities. Kyrgios chose not to appeal and admitted: "I made a huge mistake, I take full responsibility."

Mitch Goldhar is ready to invest: ahead of the 2026/2027 season, Maccabi Tel Aviv has set its sights on winger Thibaud Baeten to replace Amir Sahiti. All the details.

Since scoring Spain's winning goal in the World Cup final, he has been everywhere – and not everyone is thrilled with his new persona. The absurd rating he gave himself in FIFA, his surprise at his own goal tally for Barcelona, and his demand that the club "show they want him" have sparked a wave of mockery.

The State Cup holder wants to bring the midfielder back to its ranks after only one year, but he will not settle for less than 600,000 euros net on a three-year contract, which is what he earns currently in Hungary. Ferencvaros is expected to demand a high sum despite the fact that he arrived without a transfer fee. Status report.

The Israeli point guard is not expected to play for Hapoel Tel Aviv and is in trouble due to full rosters in the EuroLeague: "A story that did not receive attention."

The Sabah coach addressed the meeting in the Champions League playoffs and complimented the opponent: "Both teams like to press, want to control the game and play offensively."

Following the midfielder's presentation at Barcelona, new details have emerged regarding the battle between the bitter rivals. According to reports in Spain, the Blancos' offer was significantly low.

After Kamara and Sissokho returned to training, Kenny Miller's doubts have been resolved. Revivo also returns in Switzerland after a suspension (Thursday, 21:30, Sport1).

The midfielder, who was targeted by fan abuse after the elimination from Europe, received support from all directions: "He is one of the best in the country in his position. Maybe something good will come out of this event."

Thomas Walkup has unilaterally notified Olympiacos of his contract termination amid interest from Dubai. The club rejects the move and demands the player report for pre-season testing, threatening legal action.

Everything is open between Fenerbahçe and Lyon (1:1), Dinamo Zagreb and Viking (2:2), and Levski Sofia and AEK Athens (0:0). Everything will be decided next week.

On the eve of the new season, there is a shortage of superstars in Israeli football, but fans continue to flock to stadiums for the atmosphere and sense of community.

Two disappointments in the playoffs in the past, being benched as the fourth center-back, and a magnificent comeback in the money time: exactly ten years since he arrived at Hapoel Be'er Sheva with the goal of taking it to the Champions League, the 37-year-old captain gets one final chance to close the circle and complete the mission.

Arsenal in its post-loser version no longer needs to prove anything, Manchester City is learning to live without Pep, Liverpool is trying to wean itself off Salah, United is dreaming as usual, and Tottenham just wants to wake up from the nightmare. From the test of Anan Khalaili's life, through the team that will shatter the predictions, to the cursed stadium: the burning questions ahead of the...

The defender who was injured last week and the midfielder who was injured earlier this week completed a full training session, and there is a good chance both will be able to start in the yellow lineup against Lugano.

The National League kicked off this evening with a full round, highlighted by a meeting between two promotion candidates: Maccabi Bnei Reineh, which hosted Bnei Yehuda and was defeated 4:1. MS Ashdod, which still hopes to replace Ironi Tiberias in the Premier League, was hosted by Hapoel Afula and disappointed with a 2:0 loss.

Following reports published recently, an MRI scan confirmed grave concerns after an injury sustained in the match against Ironi Kiryat Shmona. The club stated: "We will stand by his side throughout the entire way."

Maccabi Haifa's misfortune continues: following an injury in the match against Hapoel Jerusalem, Manuel Benson underwent an MRI confirming a torn ACL and meniscus. The winger is expected to miss the entire season, facing a nine-month rehabilitation process.