Israeli sports

No. 50: Deni Avdija, Matt Turner, Zach Hyman, Oscar Gloukh, and Daniel Peretz

Five athletes carrying Jewish and Israeli pride onto the world stage.

|ByURIEL STURM
(L-R, clockwise): Deni Avdija, Oscar Gloukh, Zach Hyman, Matt Turner, and Daniel Peretz
THE MEMORIAL to the 11 Israeli athletes and officials murdered during the 1972 Munich Olympics, remembered annually in Tel Aviv, with Yael Arad at the podium.

On the 54th anniversary, Israel honors those murdered in the 1972 Olympics

At an annual memorial ceremony in Tel Aviv, Israeli sports leaders, government officials, athletes and family members honored members of Israel’s 1972 Olympic delegation murdered in Munich.

|ByJERUSALEM POST SPORTS STAFF
MACCABI TEL AVIV'S Ester Sokler celebrates after scoring the second of his two goals in the yellow-and-blue’s 4-1 away Premier League victory over Hapoel Beersheba at Turner Stadium

Maccabi Tel Aviv crushes Hapoel Beersheba 4-1 as derby looms large

Maccabi Tel Aviv cruised past Hapoel Beersheba 4-1 as Ester Sokler scored a brace in the win that saw the yellow-and-blue pick up their third victory in as many games to start the season.

|ByJOSHUA HALICKMAN
ISRAELI TEEN Dan Brand overcame a difficult opening set late Sunday to defeat Australia’s Daniel Jovanovski in his US Open junior debut, turning Court 8 into a small celebration of Israeli tennis.

Hebrew cheers in Queens: Israeli teen Dan Brand makes his mark at US Open juniors

For Brand, ranked No. 20 in the world in the International Tennis Federation junior rankings after recently climbing three spots, it was an important victory on a very big stage.

|ByHOWARD BLAS

Sergei Lysov’s New York breakthrough in wheelchair tennis

Now, as he competes internationally, Lysov proudly represents Israel. His racket features an Israeli flag damper, and his tennis wheelchair is adorned with yellow ribbons as a tribute to the hostages

SEPTEMBER 11, 2025ByHOWARD BLAS
One of Israeli tennis player Sergei Lysov at the US Open.

Brazil, Hungary, and Israel kick off Grand Prix soccer tournament in Ramle

Symbolizing coexistence, Israel's mixed city stages global tournament as sports and solidarity return to the Holy Land.

SEPTEMBER 9, 2025ByJERUSALEM POST SPORTS STAFF
RAMLE IS hosting teams from Brazil, Hungary, and Israel this week in the Peace & Friendship World League, the first international soccer tournament held in the country since October 7.

Spanish chess tournament bans Israeli flags, global body overrules

A ban on Israeli flags at a Spanish chess tournament brings Israeli chess player Erez Kupervaser back to Oct. 7 and memories of his sister who was murdered by Hamas terrorists at Nova music festival.

SEPTEMBER 7, 2025ByYOAV ETIEL
Chess players from Russia and Israel play at the 31st Abu Dhabi International Chess Festival in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, August 21, 2025.

US Open tennis highlights: Israelis and Jewish players in action

At the US Open, identifying players with even the slightest Jewish connection requires inside tips, additional sleuthing, and perseverance.

SEPTEMBER 2, 2025ByHOWARD BLAS
BETWEEN ISRAEL-BORN Canadian Denis Shapovalov (left) and the always-popular kosher food stand and minyan announcements (right) on the grounds of the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, the US Open definitely has its Jewish and Israeli fans covered.

From center court to new paths: A tale of two Israeli tennis legends - interview

Former Israeli tennis stars Shahar Peer and Julia Glushko reflect on their careers, life after the tour, and hopes for the next generation of Israeli players.

AUGUST 29, 2025ByHOWARD BLAS
SHAHAR PEER (left) and Julia Glushko (right) together while representing Israel at the Fed Cup in 2007.

Big moments define early-season league play

Beersheba storms back from 2 goals down to beat Netanya • Atzily’s brace secures Beitar’s win

AUGUST 26, 2025ByJOSHUA HALICKMAN
MACCABI NETANA defender Saba Khvadagiani (left) vies for the ball with Hapoel Beersehaba’s Alon Turgeman during the Reds’ 4-2 Premier League victory

Getting Israeli players back to the top of the tennis landscape

The days of big-name Israelis playing in the baking hot sun or in the late-night chill of Queens, NY, in front of flag-waving, cheering Israeli supporters, are a distant memory.

AUGUST 21, 2025ByHOWARD BLAS
YONI ERLICH (left) and Dudi Sela (right) – playing together in the Davis Cup in 2013 – icons of Israeli tennis whose successors are hopefully just around the corner.

Soccer: Maccabi Tel Aviv marches on in Europe as Haifa and Beitar fall

Maccabi Tel Aviv beat Hamrun Spartans to reach the Europa League playoff round, as Maccabi Haifa and Beitar Jerusalem were knocked out of Europe.

AUGUST 17, 2025ByJOSHUA HALICKMAN
Caption: MACCABI TEL AVIV players celebrate their third goal in a 3-1 second-leg victory over Hamrun Spartans, which secured the yellow-and-blue a 5-3 aggregate win and a spot in the Europa Leage Play-off.

Israel shines in kickboxing at World Games with two gold medals and a silver

Thursday's podium successes followed Shaked Nisimian's gold in women’s combat sambo, Nili Block's bronze, and Yulia Sachkov, Jodah Osaid, and Polina Grossman reaching the kickboxing finals.

AUGUST 14, 2025ByJERUSALEM POST SPORTS STAFF
ISRAELI KICKBOXER Yulia Sachkov reached the podium on Thursday at the World Game.

Remember the name: Israel U16 Men’s National Team's Omri Orland

The 15-year-old point guard has taken the Israeli youth basketball scene by storm and could very well be on track to the NBA.

AUGUST 14, 2025ByJOSHUA HALICKMAN
ISRAELI POINT GUARD Omri Orland is turning heads across Europe with the Under-16 national team – and several respected scouts say he’s destined for the NBA.