Israel State Cup [R], Final, 27.05.2003

[MHaifa1913]

Hapoel Be'er Sheva 1-1 Hapoel Ramat Gan
Hapoel Ramat Gan wins 5-4 on penalty kicks

Ramat Gan provides a spectacular display of courage and football and takes home the biggest trophy in Israel and a chance to play in the UEFA Cup. Very impressive from a first division side.

[MHaifa1913]

Israeli State Cup final result

TEL AVIV, May 27 (Reuters) -
Hapoel Beer Sheva 1 (Ligat haAl, Premier League) Hapoel Ramat Gan (Liga Leumit, National League) 1 - result after extra time

Israeli State Cup final
Ramat Gan won 5-4 on penalties

Scorers:

Hapoel Beer Sheva - Ophir Haim 86

Hapoel Ramat Gan - Ophir Halawani 55

Halftime: 0-0; 90 minutes: 1-1; Attendance: 25,000

[MHaifa1913]

Hapoel Ramat Gan stun Beer Sheva to win Israeli State Cup

TEL AVIV, May 27 (Reuters) - Second Division side Hapoel Ramat Gan caused a major upset to win the Israeli State Cup by beating premier league side Hapoel Beer Sheva in a penalty shootout on Tuesday.

Ramat Gan, who had not won a trophy since winning the Israeli league in 1964, became the first side from a lower division to lift the coveted trophy since its inception in 1928.

They will be one of Israel's representatives in next season's UEFA Cup.

The teams ended the match level at 1-1 after extra time.

Ramat Gan took the lead in the 55th minute against the run of play when Ophir Halawani slotted the ball past goalkeeper Assi Rahamim.

They were just four minutes away from a stunning upset in 90 minutes when Ophir Haim put Beer Sheva back on level terms, chipping the ball.

The penalty shootout saw only Beer Sheva's Rami Eliahu miss his spot kick as Ramat Gan's tired and relatively inexperienced players all put their shots away clinically.

The victory, in front of 25,000 spectators at the National Stadium in Tel Aviv, stunned the vast majority of the fans who travelled some 100 kilometres from the southern desert city of Beer Sheva.

When Ramat Gan captain Tomer Kaduri lifted the trophy the cheers of the 5,000 ecstatic supporters were barely audible in the 45,000 seat arena.

[MHaifa1913]

Here is a shot of the Israel State Cup in the hands of Hapoel Ramat Gan:

http://www.hapoel-rg.co.il/pic/upload/yaroncup2003.jpg

Interesting how Hapoel Be'er Sheva's website is not working today.