It’s been less than two months since Hapoel Be’er Sheva lifted the Israeli Cup - in a dramatic fashion against Maccabi Haifa - and last night they took the first step in their Europa Conference League journey.
It’s the ninth season in a row that Hapoel have made it into a continental competition - reaching the Europa League group stage three times, and twice coming one goal away from a spot in the Champions league proper.
Last year they failed to reach the group stage of this very competition, after losing to Cypriot outfit Anorthosis - this year, the Camels are out for redemption.
Hapoel Be’er Sheva fans, a beginning of a new season (Hapoel Be’er Sheva FC / Lior Mosko)
The first test came in the form of Dinamo Minsk. The Belarussians are struggling due to their country’s involvement in the war in Ukraine. It did not lead to an outright ban, as happened with Russian clubs, but they are required to host their ties away from home and behind closed doors. Uefa’s sanctions aren’t the only impact the war has had on the club, as now most of their players are locals - most foreigners have left the club, only two remain on their books.
In contrast, Hapoel were on a high coming into the game, after winning the domestic Super Cup on Saturday following a penalty shoot-out victory over Maccabi Haifa.
It didn’t take them long to make the most of their home advantage - less than a minute after kick-off, Eugene Ansah set up Sagiv Yehezkel for the first goal of the game.
There’s no doubt that playing at the Turner Stadium played into Hapoel’s hands. It wasn’t just the loud chants from the fans, but the hot Middle Eastern July weather beaming down on the pitch.
The home side were looking to play to this advantage, and extend their lead. Up steps Rotem Hatuel who, in the 52nd minute, headed home a Tomer Yosefi cross - it was Hatuel’s third goal in eight matches in Europe for Hapoel.
Rotem Hatuel scoring the second for Hapoel Be’er Sheva (Hapoel Be’er Sheva FC / Lior Mosko)
Dinamo will have to get used to playing here. Because of UEFA’s sanctions forbidding them from playing at home, the club decided to stay in the city for another week and play the return leg in Be’er Sheva too.
There was a light at the end of the tunnel for the Belurassians, as Artem Konstevoy capitalised on a mistake from hotshot midfielder, Ilay Madmon, 15 minutes from time. It was an uncharacteristic lapse of judgement for Madmon - a homegrown player that captained the under-19 national team that reached the European Championship final.
In the end, it wasn’t enough, and Hapoel went home with a comfortable 2-1 victory in the bag. With the return leg being played here again in just a week’s time, Dinamo will have their work cut out to reach the next round.
Hapoel Be’er Sheva, will they celebrate in the next week? (Hapoel Be’er Sheva FC / Lior Mosko)
Edited by Alex Smith
Thumbnail photo by Hapoel Be’er Sheva FC and Lior Mosko
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