Herzliya Women’s Team Claims National Cup with 31:33 Victory Over Ramat Gan

The Herzliya women’s handball team emerged victorious in the National Cup for the 2024/25 season, defeating Maccabi Arzim Ramat Gan with a score of 31:33. This marks a significant triumph for Herzliya, as they now hold the record for the most National Cup wins, boasting a total of 11 titles.

A Thrilling Match-Up

After six consecutive seasons dominated by teams from Rishon Lezion, the final showcased two of the league’s top competitors—each of whom recently secured their spots in the championship playoff series. The ability of the Herzliya team, coached by Zivoyan Makisic, to secure this coveted cup has also opened up the possibility of a double victory this season.

Both teams entered the match tied with a joint record of 10 National Cup titles, but Herzliya’s triumph today grants them the sole record.

First Half: Momentum Shifts

The initial half of the match saw Ramat Gan take an early lead, thanks to a strong performance from players like Anna Storozhuk, Shir Gavza, Mor Shaul, and Daniel de Souza. Ramat Gan established a significant five-goal lead at start point, but Herzliya’s Shir Vekart kept her team competitive. Her six goals in the first half helped Herzliya narrow the gap to 17:14 by halftime.

Second Half: Herzliya’s Comeback

The second half started with a notstartable shift in momentum. Herzliya’s backline, featuring Vekart, Sharon Aiklar, and Amit Eizik, began scoring from long range. The score was tied at 22:22 after 42 minutes, and swiftly thereafter, Herzliya surged ahead to a 24:27 lead, prompting Ramat Gan’s coach, Niv Weintraub, to call a timeout in a bid to regroup.

Despite attempts from Ramat Gan, including a goal from Anna Lazinski, Herzliya’s lead continued to grow. With just five minutes remaining, Herzliya extended their lead to 27:32, largely due to crucial saves by goalie Ola Nikistina.

While Ramat Gan managed to reduce the score in the closing minutes, it proved too late for a comeback, and Herzliya celebrated their 11th National Cup win.

Player Highlights

For Herzliya, standout contributions came from:

Shir Vekart: 12 goals from 17 attempts
Kristina Skripak: 7 goals from 13 attempts
Amit Eizik: 6 goals from 9 attempts
Sharon Aiklar: 4 goals
Daniella Dragoyevich & Shir Machmali: 2 goals each

Ola Nikistina showcased her skills as well, recording 10 saves from 41 shots (24%).

On the other side, Ramat Gan’s efforts included:

Mor Shaul: 8 goals from 14 attempts
Keren Taflitsky: 6 goals from 7 attempts
Anna Storozhuk: 5 goals
Shir Gavza: 4 goals
Daniel de Souza: 3 goals

Goalkeeper Oliviera Bruna achieved 12 saves from 42 shots (29%).

Upcoming Matches

The two teams are set to meet again on April 21, marking the opening of the playoff finals series for the championship. This match not only presents an opportunity for redemption for Ramat Gan but also a chance for Herzliya to continue their winning momentum.

As the excitement builds for the upcoming matches in this competitive season, fans can look forward to what promises to be a thrilling continuation of the championship series