EUROPA LEAGUE GROUP G

HAPOEL BEER SHEVA 2 LUGANO 1

Eliminated from the Champions League competition in the qualifying stages, Hapoel made the perfect start at the Turner Stadium when midfielder Daniel Einbinder put them in front inside the opening two minutes with a sweeping finish across the keeper.

The hosts had a golden opportunity to double their lead eight minutes later after being awarded a penalty for handball, but Tomas Pekhart saw his penalty saved by Da Costa in the Lugano goal.

Hapoel continued to threaten and there was a change of penalty-taker in the second half, and Shir Tzedek made no mistake, rifling his shot down the centre of the goal to make it 2-0 on the hour mark.

Tzedek went from hero to villain just seven minutes later, scoring an own goal to give Lugano a lifeline.

Hapoel edged possession on the night but theyir supporters were relieved to hear the final whistle following a stern test against the Swiss opponents.

Maccabi Tel Aviv, Israel's other Europa League entrant, saw their nine-match unbeaten run in European football halted as they were edged out 1-0 by Slavia Praha in Group A.