Dramatic Turn in Handball Championship Playoff: Hapoel Rishon Lezion Edges Past Maccabi Ramat Hasharon

Hapoel Rishon Lezion Takes Lead in Championship Series

In a thrilling match held on May 16, 2025, Hapoel Rishon Lezion triumphed over Maccabi Ramat Hasharon with a narrow 37-38 victory, marking a pivotal moment in the playoff finals of the Israeli Handball Championship. This win puts Hapoel Rishon Lezion ahead 2-1 in the best-of-five series, bringing them closer to their first championship title since 2018 and the historic 19th overall for the club.

Match Overview

The championship series resumed after a break for the Israeli national team’s European Championship qualifiers, with both teams entering the match tied at 1-1. The game was characterized by its intensity and a dramatic scoring battle, with Hapoel Rishon Lezion displaying remarkable resilience to overcome home-court advantage held by the reigning champions.

Star Performers

Iban Karacic was the standout player for Hapoel Rishon Lezion, finishing the match with 12 goals and three crucial blocks. His exceptional performance was pivotal in securing the victory, as he helped his team edge ahead in the tightly contested match.

Upcoming Matches

The next match in the series is scheduled for Tuesday at 18:30 in Nahalat Yehuda. Maccabi Ramat Hasharon must win to level the series at 2-2, or risk elimination before a potential decisive Game 5 set for the following Friday.

Coach’s Insights

After the game, victorious coach Saar Frenkel emphasized the importance of the win, stating, “We knew that if we wanted to think about the audacious word ‘championship,’ we needed to secure a victory today. Karacic is a professional; he is my asset. After experiencing two years of misfortune with injuries while he was at Maccabi Rishon Lezion, now I have him here, and I have great confidence in him.”

He conveyed deep respect for Ramat Hasharon, acknowledging the competitiveness of the playoff series and the high quality of play demonstrated by both teams. “It’s a very close series. We are prepared to be deserving of this title,” he added.

Scoring Breakdown

For Maccabi Ramat Hasharon, key players included:

• Turkanitz: 10 goals (5 penalty shots)
• Risto Vjachich: 7 goals
• Amit Motula: 6 goals

Goalkeeper Mata Valerbich recorded 10 saves, with a 25% save rate.

For Hapoel Rishon Lezion:

• In addition to Karacic, Schneider contributed 10 goals, while Ben Gstartn added 8.
• Goalkeeper Svetislav Vorkic made an impressive 16 saves with a 31% save rate.

As the series progresses, the excitement continues to build, with both teams eager to claim the championship title and end Rishon Lezion’s seven-year drought without a trophy