The play-offs are a moment where a team’s future is decided, and in the Europa Conference League these doubled-legged ties will end with either a spot in the group stage, or being knocked out of Europe.
One of these teams is Hapoel Be'er Sheva. The Israeli side has already had some great moments at home in European competitions in the past - they’ve played twice in the Champions League play-offs, making it within one goal of reaching the group stage. They’ve hosted some of the biggest names, too, and shocked them.
This year, their home match against Universitatea Craiova could produce another moment of joy for the home fans. The first leg ended 1-1 draw, making the second crucial.
Hapoel Be’er Sheva fans in a European night (Shaul Greenfeld)
For 90 minutes the tensions were high. Both teams were looking to score, but were unable to do so - extra time was on the cards.
Usually, one goal is enough to break your opponents. After 105 minutes, Ante Roguljić hit a strong and accurate free kick into the net. An important goal for the Romanians, they thought they had made it.
But that wasn’t the end of the story. One minutes later, Shapi Suleymanov, on his debut for the Israelis, took the ball for a free kick. Tomer Hemed jumped and headed in the goal. A shootout beckoned.
In the last three months, Hapoel has had a lot of practice at penalties. They won both the Israeli Cup final and the domestic Super Cup as a result of a tremendous show from keeper Omri Glazer - he stopped five of the 10 penalties he faced in those games.
And Glazer was the man to trust again tonight, saving a decisive penalty kick from Nicusor Bacu, tipping the ball over the bar.
Omri Glazer, the penalties hero of Hapoel Be’er Sheva (Shaul Greenfeld)
It was a long night in Be’er Sheva, and it’s ended with Hapoel’s first ever appearance in the Conference League group stage. It really was a night to remember.
Edited by Alex Smith
All photos by Shaul Greenfeld
ATHENS: A terrific Conference League final in Athens ended up with a historic evening, with Olympiacos winning the first title for a greek team in Europe. Yossi Medina’s report from Greece.
Olympiacos 'killed' Aston Villa again, advancing to their first-ever European final, where they'll meet Fiorentina—all the action from the Conference League semi-finals.
As protests sweep France, the banlieues that produce the football stars also fuel the unrest. This is the paradox of French society now.
Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia put the January 2027 Asian Cup in doubt, with a delay to 2028 or a move to Qatar discussed behind the scenes.
Three years after Lior Asulin was murdered on October 7, Bnei Sakhnin hold a ceremony and game for the hero of their 2004 State Cup win. Why now?
Ivory Coast edged Nigeria 3-2 in the final of a solidarity tournament among eight African teams, organised by Sudanese refugees in Tel Aviv.
Hapoel Be’er Sheva fans were barred from AZ Alkmaar. Why does the country with deep Jewish football roots now refuse to host Israeli supporters?
Cairo’s derby drew a record number of crowd for the first time in years, as Al Ahly and Zamalek fans united in October War banners and Israel chants.
Manchester City’s guilty verdict is spilling into geopolitics, as Abu Dhabi hints at curbing UAE investment in Britain over the club’s fate.
Israel's national team finished bottom of its Nations League group, as politically charged clashes versus Ireland overshadowed the campaign.
Israel opens a homeless Nations League campaign against Austria, Kosovo, and Ireland, with the Gaza conflict looming over every match played.
Hapoel Be'er Sheva drew 0-0 at Dinamo Zagreb to open their Europa League return, ahead of a brutal schedule and no home matches this season.
Maccabi Tel Aviv routed ten-man Hapoel 4-1 at Bloomfield, in a fiery derby marked by red cards and pyro chaos.
For the first time since Oct. 7, 2023, Palestinian club football returns this weekend as 226 teams compete across three war-scarred regions.
After nine years at Liverpool, Salah left for Trabzonspor — the money, the family, and the love of being the underdog all played their part.
Spain defeated Argentina 1-0 in the 2026 World Cup Final, ending Lionel Messi's dream World Cup with heartbreak.
Thousands of Argentina fans transformed Times Square before the 2026 World Cup final, all united to thank Lionel Messi.
Spain were ruthless in Dallas as Oyarzabal and Dani Olmo starred, leaving France's Bastille Day to end in deep disappointment for Deschamps.
Norway outplayed England for most of a sweltering Miami classic, but two Bellingham strikes in extra time sent the Three Lions to the semis.
Egypt pushed Argentina to the limit in a 3-2 World Cup thriller, but left the pitch furious at the referee and convinced justice was denied.
Ayoub Bouaddi chose Morocco over France at 18 and lit up a quarter-final about colonial history, dual identity, and what it means to belong.
Merino's late goal gave Spain a 1-0 win over Portugal as Ronaldo left the World Cup stage in tears in what many believe was his final match.
Egypt beat Australia on penalties in Dallas to reach the last 16 for the first time, with Salah's Panenka the highlight of a historic night.
Diop headed Morocco level in the 91st minute and Saibari slotted the winner in the shootout as Morocco reached the World Cup quarter-finals.
Messi and the Jordanian Messi both scored as Argentina beat Jordan 3-1 in Arlington, with records broken and keffiyehs flying in the stands.
France beat Iraq 3-0 in Philadelphia, but the two-hour lightning delay stole the show, making it officially the longest World Cup game ever.
Saibari scored inside two minutes as Morocco beat Scotland 1-0 in Boston, leaving the Scots on the very brink of 2026 World Cup elimination.
Senegal relived their legendary 2002 magic for an hour, but Kylian Mbappe struck twice to sink them and seal France's 3-1 win in New Jersey.
Qatar stole a last-gasp draw from Switzerland and Morocco held Brazil 1-1 — two results that announced Arab football’s full arrival at 2026.
Azteca stadium hosts its third World Cup as Mexico City buzzes with pride, protest, and the deep belief that football has always lived here.
Crystal Palace beat Rayo Vallecano in Leipzig to win the Conference League in the most romantic underdog final in European football history.
Maccabi Tel Aviv edge Hapoel Be'er Sheva 2–1 in a dramatic Israeli Cup Final at Teddy Stadium, denying the champions a historic Double.
Crystal Palace beat Rayo Vallecano in Leipzig to win the Conference League in the most romantic underdog final in European football history.