Israel sports

Desert diamond: Or Divan and the new dawn of Israeli women’s soccer

Divan is a rare talent in the local landscape, her superb aerial game making her a constant threat on high balls, completing the profile of a truly modern and well-rounded player.

|ByITAY GODER
AT JUST 16, Or Divan has skipped the natural order of Israeli soccer. From scoring over 100 goals in a season to her time in the World Cup qualifiers, the striker is proving that greatness doesn’t wait for age.
OMRI GANDELMAN (with ball) celebrates after scoring the equalizing goal in Israel’s 2-2 friendly draw with Georgia in Tbilisi over the weekend.

Israeli national soccer team draws at Georgia in friendly

Ahead of the Nations League matches coming up in the fall, Israel played Georgia to a 2-2 draw in friendly action over the weekend at Mikheil Meskhi Stadium in Tbilisi.

|ByJOSHUA HALICKMAN
ISRAELI GOALKEEPER Daniel Peretz commands his box with authority, delivering another match-saving performance as Southampton’s ‘Iron Dome’ continues to fuel the club’s promotion charge from English soccer’s second tier.

From Bayern’s bench to Southampton’s savior: Daniel Peretz and the rise of the ‘Iron Dome’

Daniel Peretz was the “Golden Boy” of Israeli soccer, a player who had famously stared down German strikers at the U-21 Euros and won.

|ByITAY GODER
Josiah-Jordan James has emerged as a key contributor for Hapoel Jerusalem as the Reds chase a EuroCup semifinal berth from their temporary home in Belgrade.

Jerusalem eyes EuroCup semis as ‘Triple J’ finds his groove

Josiah-Jordan James has emerged as a key contributor for Hapoel Jerusalem as the Reds chase a EuroCup semifinal berth from their temporary home in Belgrade.

|ByJOSHUA HALICKMAN

Israel's Manor Solomon enjoying life playing for Fiorentina

Israeli winger Manor Solomon was unveiled as a Fiorentina player, discussing his move to Serie A, differences between leagues, and his focus on football rather than politics.

JANUARY 16, 2026ByJERUSALEM POST SPORTS STAFF
Manor Solomon of ACF Fiorentina looks on during the Serie A match between ACF Fiorentina and AC Milan at Artemio Franchi on January 11, 2026 in Florence, Italy.

‘It’s a marathon, not a sprint’: Zalgiris, Lo eye big night vs Maccabi Tel Aviv

The Lithuanian squad was in Israel just a couple of weeks ago, and came away with a win over Hapoel Tel Aviv. It would like to replicate that success after splitting its last two Euroleague games.

JANUARY 15, 2026ByJOSHUA HALICKMAN
ZALGIRIS GUARD Maodo Lo (in red), a veteran of top European clubs and a regular member of the German national team, brings extensive international experience into tonight’s Euroeague matchup against host Maccabi Tel Aviv.

Maccabi Tel Aviv defeats Hapoel Jerusalem

Hapoel Tel Aviv handles Ramat Gan • Beersheba beats Galil Elyon • Herliya downs Ness Ziona

JANUARY 12, 2026ByJOSHUA HALICKMAN
MACCABI TEL AVIV teammates Roman Sorkin (left) and Oshae Brissett celebrate after a basket during their team’s 95-84 win over Hapoel Jerusalem over the weekend.

Beitar Jerusalem grabs share of first place in win against Maccabi Bnei Reineh

Beersheba still tops table on goal difference • Macaabi Tel Aviv edges Sakhnin • Hapoel Haifa, Hapoel TA draw

JANUARY 11, 2026ByJOSHUA HALICKMAN
BEITAR JERUSALEM players celebrate with Timoti Muzie (center) after his 33rd-minute tally provided all the scoring in Beitar’s 1-0 win over Maccabi Bnei Reineh.

Hapoel Tel Aviv beats Dubai, Maccabi falls in Barcelona

Blakeney, Micic power first-place Reds against Dubai • Yellow-and-blue drops to 8-12 in Euroleague

JANUARY 7, 2026ByJOSHUA HALICKMAN
HAPOEL TEL AVIV guard Antonio Blakeney reacts after scoring two of his game-high 25 points in the Reds’ 80-65 Euroleague rout of visiting Dubai.

Maccabi Haifa wins north soccer derby against Hapoel Haifa 2-0

It may not have been one of the Haifa derbies that will go down in the annals of history, but it did offer some sense of closure for Maccabi after what went down last May.

JANUARY 6, 2026ByJOSHUA HALICKMAN
MACCABI HAIFA midfielder Eitan Azoulay (back) celebrates after scoring his side’s first goal in the 2-0 derby victory over city rival Hapoel Haifa in Israel Premier League action.

Maccabi Tel Aviv keeps pace in Third with conquest of Hapoe

After a fairly even opening 20 minutes, Mathew Cudjoe’s reckless tackle on Helder Lopes saw the midfielder sent off, leaving Sakhnin with only 10 men.

JANUARY 6, 2026ByJOSHUA HALICKMAN
One of Hapoel Beersheba's Kings Kangwa with teammates and one of Beersheba's Dan Bitton celebrating goals

Eran Zahavi announces retirement, bringing an era of Israeli soccer to a close

After months of speculation and deliberation, the all-time leading scorer of the Israel national team confirmed that he will not return to the pitch.

JANUARY 1, 2026ByJERUSALEM POST SPORTS STAFF
ERAN ZAHAVI, the all-time leading scorer of the Israel national team, bid farewell to the pitch at 38, closing the curtain on a legendary career defined by goals, records and unforgettable moments.

State Cup weekend sees Beitar comeback and dominant displays by top clubs

Beitar survives the rain • Mac Tel Aviv and Mac Haifa run amok • Hap Tel Aviv, Beersheba advance

DECEMBER 28, 2025ByJOSHUA HALICKMAN
BEITAR JERUSALEM’S Omer Atzili celebrates after his goal during the 2-1 victory for the capital city side over Ironi Tiberias in the State Cup round-of-32.

From Toronto to Tel Aviv: Tyler Ennis is thriving in Hapoel - interview

The 31-year-old former Laker began his career in Canada before playing for the NBA and eventually joining Hapoel Tel Aviv to play in both the Euroleague and the domestic Israeli league.

DECEMBER 26, 2025ByJOSHUA HALICKMAN
HAPOEL TEL AVIV guard Tyler Ennis, a Canadian international and former NBA player, has been a key contributor to the Reds’ strong start to the season.