Maccabi Tel Aviv qualifies for Champions League group stage
Israeli teams beats FC Basel on away goals to progress to club football's premier competition
Maccabi Tel-Aviv on Tuesday qualified to UEFA's Champions League after a one-all draw against Swiss club FC Basel saw the Israeli hosts progress on the away goals rule, the tie finishing 3-3 on aggregate.
Playmaker Eran Zahavi, who was a thorn in Basel's side throughout the tie, netted all three goals for the Israeli champions.
Basel, who reached the round of 16 last season, were seen as the firm favorites in the tie.
Having already played in club football's most prestigious and lucrative competition in the 2004-5 season, Maccabi thus gets another chance to prove its mettle against European powerhouses including Chelsea, Juventus, Manchester United, Real Madrid and the current holders Barcelona.
It will now play six games in the group stage; two sides out of a group of four get to progress to the last 16 round. The draw deciding Maccabi's three group rivals will be held Friday in Monaco.
Other Israeli sides to participate in the competition include Maccabi Haifa and Hapoel, Maccabi Tel Aviv's local rival.