“We had a good trip, a relatively short and easy flight, and the journey from the airport to the hotel was also brief,” Ben Hemo said.

Despite last week’s impressive victory, the 24-year-old defender stressed that the team remains fully focused: “We showed good quality and won 5-0, but we’re approaching this game in exactly the same way. We prepared in exactly the same manner, and we want to win this match as well.”

On Maccabi hosting its European home matches in Batumi, Ben Hemo said: “It’s funny, but this is our home ground now. We know our fans are coming, and we want to put in a good performance and give them something to be proud of. It’s our first baptism of fire at the new stadium where we’ll play this season, and I hope we’ll get off to a winning start.”

On his own recent form, Ben Hemo who started in all three competitive matches this season, added: “I’ve felt great since the start of the season. The coach has shown faith in me, and I’m happy I’ve been able to repay that trust. I hope to maintain my good form, help the team, and achieve our goals.”

In conclusion, Ben Hemo addressed the mental challenge of preparing for a match after such a convincing first-leg victory: “It’s not easy to get your head ready for a game like this, but we have to approach it with the same commitment and stay humble. We’ll come with the same aggression and preparation that we had for the previous match, and I hope we’ll do the job at least as well as we did last week.

Maccabi Tel Aviv FC reached an agreement with Serbian side FK Radnički Kragujevac for the transfer of 27-year-old Slovenian international striker Ester Sokler, who has signed a 2-year contract with an option to extend by two more seasons.

Sokler (181cm) arrives after an impressive campaign in Serbia, where he scored 15 goals in 29 appearances in all competitions during the 25/26 season.

After signing his contract, Sokler, who will wear the number 9 at Maccabi, told the club’s official website: “I’m proud to join Maccabi, a club with a rich history and big ambitions. I know the expectations that come with wearing this shirt, and that’s exactly what attracted me to this challenge. I’ll give everything I have to help the team achieve its goals, score goals, win trophies and make our fans proud.”

Born in Krško, Slovenia, Sokler came through the youth ranks of his hometown club Krško Posavje, making his senior debut at the age of 17. After establishing himself in senior football, Sokler joined Brežice in 2020 and enjoyed a prolific six-month spell, scoring nine goals in just 12 appearances.

His goalscoring form earned him a move to Celje in January 2021, where he made 50 appearances and scored 10 goals over the following season and a half. Ahead of the 22/23 campaign, Sokler signed for Radomlje, continuing his development with another productive season in which he scored 10 goals in 30 appearances.

Sokler’s performances attracted Scottish side Aberdeen, who signed him in June 2023. During his time at Pittodrie, Sokler made 72 appearances in all competitions, scoring 12 goals.

At the start of the 25/26 season, Sokler joined Radnički on loan and, after scoring six goals in his first 12 matches, the Serbian club exercised its option to make the move permanent. Sokler went on to finish the campaign with 15 goals in 29 appearances in all competitions.

Sokler’s impressive season also earned him his senior international debut for Slovenia during a 1-1 friendly draw against Cyprus in June 2026. Sokler previously represented his country at U17, U18, U19 and U21 levels, making 14 appearances and scoring once.

Everyone at Maccabi welcomes Ester to the club and wishes him every success in Yellow & Blue.

ssouf Sissokho, who scored his first goal since joining Maccabi Tel Aviv, shared his thoughts after the final whistle: “It was a tough match, like every match, but we started with good energy and tried to stick to our game plan. Thank God it worked for us. We scored goals in the first half and kept pushing until the end to achieve this result. We’re very happy.”

On scoring his first goal for the club, Sissokho added: “I’m very happy about this goal and I hope to score many more in the future. Now this match is over and we have to prepare for the next one, which will be even tougher. We need to stay humble, keep working hard, and give everything on the pitch in every game.”

Saied Abu Farchi, who scored a brace, was pleased with the performance but remained focused: “It was a good performance from us and we’re happy with the victory, but it’s important to remember that this is only the first half of the tie. We still have another match to play, and we can’t afford to be complacent. We need to win again next week to make sure we qualify for the next round.”

On his personal form and the competition within the squad, the young striker said: “Personally, it feels great, but the most important thing is that the team won. I look at how much I’ve improved since the start of last season and I hope to keep progressing. The more competition there is within the squad, and the more players who score goals, the more successful the team will be”.

Preview:

Maccabi arrived at the Sheriff Main Arena in Tiraspol ahead of the first leg of the Europa League 2nd qualifying round tie which kick starts their 2026/27 European campaign.

Maccabi’s Head Coach Kenny Miller stuck with the same starting line-up that recorded a convincing 3-1 victory away to Hapoel Be’ersheva in the Super Cup. Ofek Melika started in goal with Itai Ben Hamo, Ali Camara and Raz Shlomo lining up as three central defenders on front of the keeper. Sagiv Jehezkel who provided all three assists against Be’rsheva and Roy Revivo started at right and left wing-backs respectively. Issouf Sissokho and Itamar Noy were named by Kenny Miller in Maccabi’s engine room. Dor Peretz who led the team out with the captain’s armband and Ido Shahar were both named by Miller in a slightly more attacking role. While Saied Abu Farchi spearheaded Maccabi’s attack.

On the bench Miller welcomed back from suspension Tyrese Asante, Kristijan Belic and Elad Madmon with Helio Varela

who returned from World Cup action was also named amongst the substitutes. Goalkeeper Roi Mishpati, Dan Glazer, Noam Ben Harosh, Shahar Rosen, Osher Davida, Ori Azo, Noam Schwartz and Ilay Ben Simon were also named on the bench waiting for their chance.

First half

Maccabi began the match on the front foot looking dangerous down the left as Roy Revivo caused the Sheriff defense trouble down the left. Maccabi continued to expose the Moldovan’s defense down that side and were rewarded for their efforts early on. With less than five minutes on the clock Maccabi had the ball in then back of the net as Ido Shahar curled a cross from the left befire Saied Abu Farchi rose high and sent his header past goalkeeper Emil Timbur. Two minutes later Maccabi came close to double their lead but Sagiv Jehezkel fired his shot over. The hosts were almost back on level terms in the ninth minute as Dhoraso Klas floated a cross over Maccabi’s defense. Jayder Asprilla sent a dangerous header which was making its’ way in but Ofek Melika stretched himself and turned the ball over the crossbar. The action packed start to the match continued in the 10th minute as Itamar Noy had two more chances to increase Maccabi’s lead in the space of 30 seconds. Noy’s initial close range effort was blocked by Sheriff’s keeper before his second effort was cleared by a defender. In the 25th minute while Revivo was receiving treatment on the byline, Sheriff managed to find a breakthrough but a dangerous cross was palmed away by the alert Melika.

Three minutes later at the opposite end Maccabi came close as Itai Ben Hamo carved the Sheriff’s defense open with a perfect through ball to Jehezkel who dragged his shot just wide of the far post. This must have been a sign of what was there to come as a minute later in what was a regular routine last season as Revivo added another assist to his name to set up Dor Peretz. The talented 23-year-old left back sent a trademark pinpoint cross from the left allowing Peretz to finish with a clinical half volley that rolled into the bottom corner.

Second half:

Kenny Miller didn’t make any changes after the interval but Maccabi began the second period exactly how they did in the first half. Seven minutes after the restart Maccabi increased their lead even further as Revivo added another assist to his name this time releasing Jehezkel who rounded the keeper and rolled the ball into the net. Three minutes after the hour mark Miller made a triple substitution as Noy, Jehezkel and Shahar all bowed out and were replaced by Kristijan Belic, Osher Davida and Helio Varela.

In the 69th minute however Konan Loukou found himself unmarked inside Maccabi’s box but forced a fingertip save from Melika. Belic limped off on 72 and was replaced by Dan Glazer while a minute later Abu Farchi released Peretz into the box before the captain was hacked down. Cypriot referee Kyriakos Athanasiou awarded a penalty before Abu Farchi stepped up and successfully blasted the spot kick into the top corner to make it four. Maccabi were awarded a free kick after Revivo was fouled just outside the area in the 77th minute. Revivo’s attemot of a cross was cleared but reached Issouf Sissokho who blasted in his debut goal and Maccabi’s fifth.

Melika kept his goal locked in the 87th minute as the 21-year-old keeper saved with his feet from Asprilla who was clear through before palming away Danila Forov’s powerful rebound.

“It’s very exciting, and we’re really looking forward to it,” Revivo said ahead of the match. “It’s always special to play in a European competition, especially with Maccabi. It’s a completely different experience the tempo is different, everything is much faster and more intense.”

On Sheriff Tiraspol and the team’s preparations, the defender said: “We know Sheriff are a strong and aggressive team. The coaching staff have prepared us in the best possible way for this match.”

Revivo also addressed the fact that Maccabi is once again forced to play its home European matches outside Israel and without the backing of its fans in the stands: “We really miss our supporters. Of course it would have made a huge difference if they were with us in the stadium, pushing us on, but that’s the current situation and there’s nothing we can do about it. We can’t wait to see them again, we miss them very much, and we want to make them happy with a victory.”

Maccabi kick off its 27th European campaign on Thursday (20:00) more than any other Israeli club. This marks the club’s 14th consecutive season in European competitions, the longest streak in Israeli football history.

Ahead of Thursday’s curtain raiser against Sheriff Tiraspol, here are the key numbers behind Maccabi’s European journey:

27 European campaigns, an Israeli record.

14 Consecutive seasons in European competition, the longest streak by any Israeli club.

209 Matches played in UEFA competitions, more than any other Israeli club. Maccabi Haifa is next with 162 matches, followed by Hapoel Tel Aviv with 106.

Maccabi’s overall European record currently stands on 88 victories, 43 draws and 78 defeats.

Maccabi’s overall Goal difference currently stands on 267 goals scored and 286 conceded.

11 Appearances in the group stage of UEFA competitions, more than any other Israeli club:

• 2 Champions League
• 7 Europa League
• 2 Conference League

4 Occasions on which Maccabi progressed beyond the group stage:

• 2013/14 – vs Basel
• 2020/21 – vs Shakhtar Donetsk
• 2021/22 – vs PSV Eindhoven
• 2023/24 – Direct qualification to the Conference League Round of 16, the best European achievement in the club’s history.

244 Players have represented Maccabi in the various European competitions.

Dor Peretz is Maccabi’s all-time European appearance leader with 87 matches. Peretz is followed by Sheran Yeini (84) and Eitan Tibi (73).

In the all-time rankings among Israeli players, Eitan Tibi leads with 94 European appearances, meaning Dor is just seven matches away from the top spot.

91 Different players scored for Maccabi in European competition.

Eran Zahavi scored 30 European goals for Maccabi – a club record.

Overall, Zahavi has 35 goals in UEFA competitions, including five for Hapoel Tel Aviv, making him the all-time leading scorer among Israeli clubs in European competition.

Maccabi has successfully progressed beyond its opening European qualifying round on 19 occasions. Only seven times has the club been eliminated at the first hurdle.

Maccabi’s record in opening matches of European campaigns: 14 victories, 6 draws, 6 defeats.

31 Different players scored in Maccabi’s opening European fixtures.

Baruch Dego and Nosa Igiebor top the list with three goals each. Dego also remains the only Maccabi player to score a hat-trick in the opening match of a European season.

The earliest goal Maccabi has ever scored in a European season opener came in the 3rd minute, when Andrejs Prohorenkovs scored in a 2-0 victory over Levadia Tallinn in the 2002/03 campaign.

Sheriff Tiraspol will become the 99th different opponent Maccabi has faced in European competition.

To date, the club has played against 98 different opponents from 40 countries.

Maccabi previously faced a Moldovan club only once before – against Petrocub in the 2023/24 Conference League qualifiers.

Maccabi won 3-0 at Bloomfield Stadium and 2-0 in Chișinău.

Sheriff Tiraspol has faced Israeli clubs only twice before:

• Hapoel Be’ersheva in 2016/17
• Maccabi Haifa in 2023/24

On both occasions, Sheriff were eliminated from the competition.