A football match was held in memory of the team supporter who fell about a year ago during the fighting in Gaza. Assaf Tzur attended to honor the family and friends
This past Monday, an event was held in memory of the late Eyal Avnion, a devoted supporter of the team who fell over a year ago during the fighting in the Gaza Strip.
The event, held in Hod HaSharon - his hometown, included a match between his former club, Maccabi Hod HaSharon, and a team made up of his friends.
Team player Assaf Tzur came to pay his respects to the family and friends.
Eyal Avnion served as a company commander in Battalion 121, 8th Brigade (“Hativat HaZaken”). He was killed in action in the Gaza Strip on July 1, 2024, from an explosive device in central Gaza. He was 25 years old.
The Avnion family - you will never walk alone. Forever together ♾️❤️
Mkay Benbenisty decided it - the players of Shahar Wiziger recorded their fourth straight win. Full match report below
The youth team faced Hapoel Kfar Saba today (Monday) as part of Matchday 7 of the Israeli Premier Youth League, returning to league action after a two-week international break. Hapoel entered the game after three consecutive wins (3;1 over Akko, 2:1 in the derby, and 1:0 over Be’er Sheva), sitting third in the table with 12 points. On the other side, Kfar Saba arrived with seven points in 13th place.
Starting 11 (Coach: Shahar Wiziger): Yanal Bazadog, Ido Aharon (Henley Agbo, 53’), Guy Aligulashvili, Elad Ben Shimon, Giorgi Kuperva, Emmanuel Zauda (Yarin Shyovitz, 80’), Yishai Brosh, Itamar Chosyd, Ben Zaid (Shahar Nahum, 60’), Mackay Benvenisti (Idan Kaplaner, 60’), and Omri Levy.
In the 45th minute, Mackay Benvenisti put Hapoel ahead with the only goal of the match - 1:0 red and a fourth straight victory. Despite the win, Hapoel drops to fourth place due to goal difference behind Hapoel Petah Tikva, standing at 15 points.
This coming Saturday (October 25), the youth team will host Hapoel Nir Ramat Hasharon at the Bat Yam Stadium.
The full squad, fixtures, and results are available on our official app.
Hapoel IBI Tel Aviv will host Maccabi Tel Aviv this evening at Bloomfield Stadium as part of Matchday 7 of the Winner League. Ahead of the clash, we’ve gathered all the key statistics, head-to-head history, and interesting facts you should know before kickoff.
Hapoel Tel Aviv will welcome Maccabi Tel Aviv to Bloomfield Stadium, which is expected to be packed with thousands of red-clad supporters who will paint the stands and back the team in the city derby.
The Reds come into the match following their first loss of the season in Matchday 6 and currently sit third in the table with 13 points and a goal difference of 15:9 (+6). Their city rivals are in second place with 14 points and a goal difference of 15:3.
The last meeting between the sides took place on January 17, 2024, and ended in a 4–2 defeat. Elian Ruhana (32’) and Tal Archal (38’) scored for Hapoel.
Match Information
Date: Sunday, 19/10/2025, 20:30
Competition: Israeli Premier League, First Round, Matchday 7
Venue: Bloomfield Stadium
Referee: Sapir Berman
Assistant Referees: Louay Wahba, Idan Bernstein
VAR Referees: Daniel Bar-Natan, Idan Yarkoni
Fourth Official: Dekel Tsino
Broadcast: Sport 5 HD
The History Books
The Tel Aviv Derby is the most frequently played fixture in Israeli football history. Tonight’s encounter will be the 240th in all competitions and the 192nd in league play. Let’s take a look at the historic meetings and key data ahead of the match.
Overall Record (League Matches):
191 games
57 Hapoel wins
64 draws
70 Maccabi wins
Goal difference: 246–200 in favor of Maccabi
When Hapoel are the home team:
100 games
38 Hapoel wins
27 draws
35 Maccabi wins
Goal difference: 118–113 in favor of Maccabi
Memorable Derby Moments – Decade by Decade
1930s: Hapoel’s first-ever derby win in league play came on January 23, 1932, with a resounding 5–1 victory in Matchday 7 of Liga Alef. The scorers were Mordechai Meir (penalty), Yohanan Sukenik, Aba Fishman, Avraham Nudelman, and Moshe Zimun.
1940s: Hapoel recorded its biggest derby win in history – 6–2.
1950s: On January 19, 1957 (Matchday 7), Hapoel netted four goals in a 4–2 win thanks to strikes from Chaim Glazer, Michael Michaelov, and a brace from Rahavia Rosenbaum.
1960s: On January 27, 1962, away at Maccabi North Ground, Hapoel celebrated a 3–0 win with goals from Daniel Danieli (brace) and Rahavia Rosenbaum.
1970s: Despite Maccabi’s dominance that decade, Hapoel avenged a 5–0 defeat with a 2–1 win on March 11, 1970, courtesy of a Shaya Feigenbaum brace.
1980s: In the 1980/81 championship season, on November 29, 1980, Hapoel won 3–0 with goals from Amir Liberman and a brace from Shabtai Levi.
1990s: In Matchday 6 of the 1994/95 season, Hapoel claimed a memorable 4–2 win in Ramat Gan – with goals from Sagiv Eliyahu (brace), Kazimierz Moskál, and Alon Ofir.
2000s: A decade of almost complete red dominance – 3–1 in 2002/03 (Toama, Balili, Ben Luz), 3–0 in 2004/05, 3–0 on the final day of 2006/07, Douglas da Silva’s header in 2009/10, 4–2 in the double-winning season, 3–1 in 2011/12, and Demari’s 1–0 winner in 2012/13.
Hapoel & Referee Sapir Berman
Sapir Berman has officiated just three Hapoel Tel Aviv league matches throughout history. The first was on April 5, 2018, in the National League, when Hapoel defeated Hapoel Petah Tikva 2–1 in Matchday 30 with goals from Moti Barshazki (45+1) and Edi Gotlieb (45+3).
The second came in the 2023/24 season, a 4–3 away defeat to Hapoel Haifa.
The most recent league match was last season, a 2–2 draw against Hapoel Kfar Saba in Matchday 12 (a brace by Roy Korin).
This season, she also officiated Hapoel in the Toto Cup – a 2–0 win over Ashdod in Group B (Matchday 5). Additionally, she refereed two other Toto Cup matches: a 2–1 win over Hapoel Jerusalem on August 15, 2021, and a 1–0 loss away to Ashdod on August 8, 2023.
In total, Berman has taken charge of six Hapoel matches as head referee: three wins, one draw, and two losses – with a goal tally of 11–9. Notably, every single one of those matches featured goals – not a single goalless draw.
A press conference ahead of the Tel Aviv derby: "We’re capable of beating any team on any pitch - we hope our path leads to the result we want”.
Ahead of Sunday’s Tel Aviv derby (19.10, 20:30), head coach Elyaniv Barda and left-back Doron Leidner shared their thoughts ahead of the clash.
“First of all, we were all overjoyed to see the hostages finally return home after two painful years,” opened Barda. “We truly hope this nightmare will soon be behind us, with the return of all the hostages and fallen heroes. Thanks to our brave soldiers, we’ve been able to focus on football and maintain a routine — but in the end, it all pales in comparison to their courage on the battlefield”.
On the rivalry: “The derby is a massive match that every player dreams of playing in. Hapoel Tel Aviv always aims to be a top team, and I hope we’ll prove we deserve that status. As for past derbies - I don’t look back; my focus is only on the future and the path ahead, which I hope will bring success”.
“To win a derby, we’ll have to play a perfect game,” he added. “Our opponent is an excellent side and we respect them, but our team is capable of beating any club on any pitch. Nobody set a specific target for us to ‘win the derby’ this season — we’re a team transitioning from the second division to the top, and our goal is to show the same footballing style we displayed last season. Standards at Hapoel Tel Aviv are high, and our ambitions are limitless”.
On the last match against Hapoel Be’er Sheva: “We lost three points and we’ll have to improve. The compliments were nice, but we came home empty-handed. There’s respect for our style of play, but that doesn’t win matches. I told the players we can’t be a team that’s satisfied with praise”.
Regarding preparation: “The week was extended because many players were away on international duty. We used the time to work on tactical elements and now that they’re back, we’ll complete the final preparations”.
About the fans: “It’s a great feeling to know our fans bought all the tickets so quickly. We have to be worthy of the fans who fill the stands, and hopefully, we can celebrate with them at the end”.
Doron Leidner added ahead of the city clash: “I was here when we couldn’t win the derby but I’m not looking back .We have excellent players, we feel good, and we want to get it done. We’ll need to stay focused for all 90 minutes and execute the small details as best as possible”.
“The mental aspect is huge before the whistle,” said the full-back, “but once the match starts - it’s football, pure and simple. The will to win every game is always there”.
“A derby win can release a lot of emotion throughout the club,” he continued. “Everyone who joins this team immediately understands its importance — the fans make sure of that. Of course, I believe we can win; I don’t think there’s anyone in this squad who doesn’t”.
On his personal journey: “The last two years haven’t been easy. I came here to play, and it took time to get back to myself — but I’m happy I took this opportunity. Yazan is an excellent player, and like every competitor, I enjoy the challenge. It only brings out the best in me”.
The senior women’s squad recorded an emphatic 7:0 victory this evening (Wednesday) over Maccabi Be’er Sheva - with a hat-trick from Eden Avital
After a 2:2 draw in the season opener against Hapoel Be’er Sheva away, Ofer Ben Ze’ev’s team hosted their first home match of the season, as part of Matchday 2 in the National League. The coach made just one change to the lineup - Gil Havazlet started instead of Noa Levy. The visitors arrived after a 3:1 away win over Maccabi Rehovot in their first match.
In the 13th minute, Hapoel took the lead when Eden Avital scored from an assist by Gil Havazlet. Two minutes later, defender Shai Perl doubled the advantage with a beautiful backheel goal from a corner by Ana Chminova - and Hapoel went into halftime up 2:0.
The second half was a red explosion - Avital netted her second of the match off another assist from Chminova, before Roni Ohana scored for the second week in a row to make it 4–0. Avital then completed her hat-trick, and Shira Peniger added her first-ever goal in red. In the 74th minute, Hapoel went down to 10 players after Zohar Cohen was shown a straight red card for a foul on the opposing goalkeeper. Four minutes from time, team captain Ana Cheminava sealed a commanding 7–0 win with her first goal for the club.
Hapoel lineup: Agam Haviv, Shoval Kedoshim, Shai Perl, Thiana Marins, Noa Feniger (70’ Noa Levy), Zohar Cohen, Gil Havazlet, Hadas Prawer (70’ Elia Sharara), Ana Cheminava, Eden Avital, Roni Ohana (77’ Roni Eli).
Next up, the reds will face Maccabi Atlit away. The exact time and date will be announced soon.
Full squad list, fixtures, and league table are available now on our official app.
Hapoel Holds Friendly Match Against F.C. Ashdod; Shanda Silva Scores
During the two-week international break, Hapoel held a friendly match against F.C. Ashdod at the Ya Stadium. Eliniv Barda’s squad fell behind early, but Shanda Silva pulled one back in the 85th minute following an assist from Anas Mahamid.
Unavailable due to national team duty: Tzur, Benaymini, Kraiev, Ben Haim, Buskila, Loizu, Turiel, and Dappa.
Did not feature: Mayembo, Chico, Piven, Leidner, Falcao, Lamkin, Alcockin, and Altman.
Starting XI: Sagiv Pinhas, Tal Artchel, Ishay Brosh, Ziv Morgan, Yazen Nassar, El Yam Kanzpolski, Ari Cohen, Liran Rotman, Roy Korin, Shanda Silva, and Anas Mahamid.
Match Timeline
1’ Kickoff.
2’ Corner routine by Hapoel leads to a Rotman cross into the box; Kanzpolski controls and strikes against the post.
4’ 1-0 Ashdod. A turnover near the box leaves an Ashdod forward one-on-one with Pinhas, finishing into the net.
10’ Silva sends a low cross from the left to Mahamid, who controls on his chest and fires over the bar.
19’ Neat interplay between Korin and Rotman; Rotman curls in a cross from the right to the head of Ari Cohen wide.
21’ Scramble in the Ashdod box. Silva beats one defender and shoots straight at the goalkeeper.
24’ Gordana fires toward goal; the ball deflects off a Hapoel player and goes out for a corner.
25’ Cooling break.
26’ First substitution for Hapoel: Roy Korin off, youth player Idan Kaplener on.
30’ Mahamid wins the ball and shoots toward goal; it glances off a defender and out for a corner.
36’ Penalty awarded to Ashdod after a foul in the area.
38’ 2-0 Ashdod. Ori Azul strikes into the left corner; Pinhas dives the wrong way.
39’ Second substitution for Hapoel: Kaplener off, youth player Elad Ben Shimon on.
41’ Rotman strikes low from outside the box, just wide of the right post.
45’ Mahamid lays it off to Nassar and sprints into the box. Nassar delivers a low cross, Mahamid arrives but narrowly misses. Hapoel corner.
HT: End of first half.
46’ Second half underway.
52’ Rotman fouled. Nassar delivers the free kick from the right, claimed by the Ashdod keeper.
60’ Rotman threads Silva through; Silva shoots, but the goalkeeper saves for a corner.
61’ Ashdod’s goalkeeper holds the ball for over five seconds, the referee awards a corner to Hapoel.
63’ Mahamid fouled outside the box. Rotman takes the free kick, blocked by the wall.
65’ Nassar delivers another low cross; Ari Cohen volleys first-time, the Ashdod keeper tips it wide.
69’ Ashdod hit the crossbar.
70’ Cooling break.
73’ Third substitution, Ari Cohen (shoulder knock) off, youth player Makai Benbenisti on.
74’ Miscommunication between Artchel and Pinhas; Ansa rounds the keeper and hits the post. The rebound is sent wide.
81’ Fourth substitution, goalkeeper swap: Sagiv Pinhas off, youth keeper Guy Bar on.
85’ Hapoel pull one back, 2-1. Mahamid plays Silva through; the Ashdod keeper gets a touch, but the ball rolls into the net.
86’ Multiple substitutions, Elad Ben Shimon, Ishay Brosh, and Anas Mahamid off; Henly Agbo, Idan Kaplener, and Or Mesika on.
90’ Full-time: Hapoel fall 2-1 in Ashdod.
Eight of our players will represent their national teams during the break
We’ll start with our representatives in the Israel senior national team: Assaf Tzur, who earned his first-ever call-up, and Stav Toriel, who joins the squad for the first time as well. The two will play with the national team against Norway on Saturday (October 11, 19:00) and Italy on Tuesday (October 14, 21:45), two challenging matches in the World Cup qualifying group stage.
Loizos Loizou will play for Cyprus, starting tonight (Thursday, 21:45) against Bosnia, and again on Sunday (October 12, 16:00) against San Marino, as part of the World Cup qualifiers.
Andrian Kraev will feature for Bulgaria, facing Turkey on Saturday (October 11, 21:45) and Spain on Tuesday (October 14, 21:45), also in the World Cup qualifying stage.
The Israel Olympic team (U21) - featuring Ran Benyamin, Dor Binyamini, Mor Buskila, and Daniel Dappa — will play tomorrow (Friday, 19:00) against Slovenia in the U21 Euro qualifying group stage.
Roei Alkukin and Amit Lemkin, who were both called up but suffered injuries in our last match, have been released from the squad.
Good luck to Israel’s national teams and to all our representatives!
Hapoel Tel Aviv’s women’s team kicked off the 2025/26 season this evening (Thursday) with an away match against Hapoel Be’er Sheva. The players of coach Ofer Ben Ze’ev showed character, coming from behind twice in a game that ended in a 2–2 draw. Roni Ohana and Eden Avital (penalty) were on target.
After being relegated from the Premier League at the end of last season, Hapoel began its National League campaign with a clear goal: earning promotion back to the top division.
Ben Ze’ev’s starting lineup featured Agav Haviv in goal; Shoval Kedoshim, Shai Perl, Tayna Marins, and Shira Feniger in defense; Zohar Cohen, Noa Levy, Eden Avital, Hadas Prawer, and Ana Cheminava in midfield; and Roni Ohana up front.
For Marins, Ohana, Feniger, and Kedoshim, it was a debut appearance in Hapoel.
The opening fixture brought together two teams expected to compete at the top of the table, as Be’er Sheva were also relegated from the Premier League last season. The sides met four times last year, with Hapoel remaining unbeaten.
The hosts took the lead in the 45th minute through Annie Felicia Totina Anganemben. Hapoel equalized in the 60th minute when Roni Ohana scored the team’s first goal of the season, but Be’er Sheva struck back immediately to make it 2–1. The Reds refused to give up, and in the 81st minute Eden Avital leveled from the penalty spot after Anna was fouled in the box.
No further goals were scored, and Hapoel’s season opener ended in a 2–2 draw.
Next week (Wednesday, October 15), the Reds will host Maccabi Be’er Sheva at the Hodorov Training Complex.
The full squad list, league fixtures, and standings are available now in the Hapoel Tel Aviv app.
The 2025/26 season of Hapoel Tel Aviv’s women’s team gets underway tomorrow (Thursday) with an away match in Be’er Sheva: “We’ve worked hard ahead of the season opener – this journey will require us to be even better”.
Hapoel Tel Aviv’s women’s team will officially begin its National League campaign tomorrow (Thursday), facing Hapoel Be’er Sheva at Reisser 3 Stadium in Be’er Sheva (kickoff at 19:30).
After one season in the Premier League, the team returns to the second division, with a clear goal for this year: earning promotion back to the Premier League. The road won’t be easy, but over the summer a new squad was built – one that we believe can achieve that target.
The team is coached by Ofer Ben Ze’ev, who was appointed last January and continues for another season. “We’ve worked hard for this moment. We’re at the beginning of a long journey that will demand improvement from all of us,” said Ben Ze’ev. “I believe in the players and in the staff, and I’m confident we’ll meet our goals”.
The captain’s armband this season will be worn by Ana Cheminava from Georgia, who also captains her national team. Anna, an attacking player who joined Hapoel at the start of last season, suffered a serious injury – a torn ACL – after just a few matches. She completed her rehabilitation within the club and is now fully fit and ready for the challenge ahead.
“We’ve worked hard for two months to be ready for this moment”, Ana shared. “I’m really excited, and so are the rest of the players. We’re looking forward to tomorrow, and I believe we’ll give our best performance and come back home with three points”.
From last season’s squad, several key players continue: Israel national team forward Eden Avital, defender Shai Perl, goalkeeper Agam Haviv, and midfielder Zohar Cohen.
They are joined by Brazilian defender Thayna Marins, as well as Hadas Prawer and Noa Levi, both returning for a second spell at the club, Moran Heyman, and young talents Shira Feniger, Shoval Kedoshim, Miya De Russo, Eliya Sharara, and Roni Ohana.
The National League this season includes ten teams, each playing the others twice (two rounds). After that, the league splits into playoffs - four teams in the upper group and six in the lower – where each team again plays the others twice. The top two teams at the end of the playoffs will be promoted to the Premier League.
Hapoel Tel Aviv’s home matches will be hosted at Hodorov Complex, and we hope to see as many of our red fans as possible throughout the season – cheering and pushing the team forward from the stands!