1) Dinamo Zagreb defeated Hapoel Be’er Sheva 5:0 in the first leg of second round Champions League qualifying in Croatia. Zagreb cracked the scoreboard first as defender Izet Hajrovic knocked the ball past Red’s keeper Giannis Anestis in the 22’ giving the host’s a 1:0 lead. Be’er Sheva conceded a second goal just six minutes later as Anesits couldn’t corral Zagreb midfielder Mislav Oršič’s shot as he poked the ball home for a 2:0 advantage at the break.

Be’er Sheva continued their sluggish play and gave up a 3rd goal in the 51’ thanks to the Zagreb captain Arijan Ademi who added his second strike of the contest 11 minutes later for a 4:0 lead. Armin Hodzić added the 5th goal in the 82’ handing the host’s a 5:0 win. Be’er Sheva will have a very slim chance of advancing in Champions League play as they host the return leg on Tuesday July 31st at Turner Stadium in the southern capital.

Head Coach Barak Bachar summed up the loss, ”When you go into a game soft, unaggressive and not doing what we usually do, it doesn’t matter who you play, you’re going to give up easy goals. I can’t criticize a player just an hour after the match, that wouldn’t be right. We were all weak and I can’t talk about one player or another.”
By: Doug Cahn

2) The Israel Under-20 National Basketball Team – Champions of Europe visited Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu today. At a festive ceremony, the PM praised the squad on their monumental victory, “Thank you. You’re tremendous. I was able to watch some of your games and you were great. You are both spirited and talented. A true world wide National Team.”

Quick Hits – Midfielder Georges Mandjeck joined Maccabi Haifa on loan from Czech outfit Sparta Prague…Hapoel Haifa signed striker Thanasis Papazoglou…Yaniv Mizrachi signed with Hapoel Raanana…Guard Justin Edwards signs with Nahariya…Ben Altit remains with Hapoel Gilboa/Galil…