Roter Stern Belgrad and Austrian Internationals Eliminated from Champions League Qualifiers

The result sealed a 1-2 aggregate exit for the Serbian club, whose roster includes Austrian internationals Marko Arnautović and Muhamed Cham, as reported by the Austrian Press Agency (APA).

Match Details and Tactical Changes

Playing at home, Roter Stern Belgrad entered the second leg looking to overturn a 1-0 deficit from the opening match in Israel. Instead, Hapoel Be’er Sheva doubled their aggregate advantage with two unanswered goals on the night to secure the tie. According to match accounts, the coaching staff turned to their bench early to shift the momentum, introducing Arnautović at halftime. Cham entered later in the contest, coming on in the 72nd minute, but neither substitute could bridge the scoring gap.

Play-Off Picture for Hapoel Be’er Sheva

With the victory secured, Hapoel Be’er Sheva advance to the play-off round of the qualification tournament. Records show they will face Azerbaijani champions Sabah FK with a spot in the lucrative Champions League league phase on the line.

Broader European Qualifying Context

While Roter Stern Belgrad exit Europe’s premier club competition, several other teams secured dramatic paths forward in the qualifying rounds. NEC Nijmegen kept their hopes of a historic tournament berth alive by defeating Olympiakos Piräus 2-1 after extra time, overcoming a 0-0 scoreline from the first leg. According to transfer reports highlighted by APA, the Dutch club recently strengthened their squad by signing former Wolfsberger AC goalkeeper Nikolas Polster for a reported transfer fee of 1.5 million euros. NEC Nijmegen will next face Norwegian side Bodö/Glimt in the play-offs.

Elsewhere, Bodö/Glimt advanced past Union Saint-Gilloise 3-2 following extra time. Austrian international Raul Florucz, who scored twice in a 3-3 draw during the previous leg, featured as a late substitute for the Belgian side, entering the match in the 121st minute. In another pairing, Slovan Bratislava defeated Swedish champions Mjällby 2-0 on the night, protecting a 2-1 advantage from the first leg to advance. Defender Kevin Wimmer was listed in the squad for Slovan Bratislava but did not feature in the second leg.