There is a championship. At the end of a five-game final series, Maccabi Rishon LeZion regained the title of national handball champion, after a dramatic victory over cup holders Hapoel Ashdod, 25:26.
The Rishon LeZion attack worked hard, photo: Alan Shaver
Rishon LeZion, coached by Joe Mattia, led in most phases of the game, in fact from the 2nd minute until the 48th minute, when the outgoing champions, Ashdod, performed a turnaround that did not last too long.
The goalkeepers of both teams displayed very high ability, but it was Rishon LeZion's goalkeepers who made the difference with a series of wonderful stops, with Tal Alyukhin stopping two 7-balls on the way to a turnover on Rishon LeZion's part.
Ashdod did not give up until the last minute, photo: Alan Shaver
With 2:15 to go, leading 22:25, Rishon LeZion lost Yeremi Sidi to a red card, but although Ashdod managed to reduce the gap to only one goal, Mattia's team was up to the task and won the 17th championship in its history.
Hapoel Ashdod were very disappointed after coming back from 2-0 behind in this series, missing an opportunity to complete a second consecutive treble on the back of a goal.
Rishon LeZion players. There is a championship, photo: Alan Shaver
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Ashdod players. Only a goal away from Travel, photo: Alan Shaver
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