Dinamo Zagreb to Play European Matches in Bucharest Due to Security Concerns

Dinamo Zagreb's upcoming Europa League fixture against Hapoel Beer Sheva presents an unusual travel itinerary for the Croatian club. While the draw placed them as visitors to the Israeli champions, the match will not take place in Beer Sheva.

Due to ongoing security situations in Israel, Hapoel Beer Sheva has opted to host its European home games in neutral venues abroad. For this Europa League campaign, the Israeli club has chosen Bucharest, Romania, utilizing the Giulești Arena, home to Rapid Bucharest, as their temporary home ground.

This decision means Dinamo Zagreb will travel to the Romanian capital for their away match, rather than to Israel. Hapoel had previously played its qualifying matches in Szombathely, Hungary, before relocating to Bucharest in mid-August. The club secured a 2-1 victory at the Giulești Arena against Sabah in the Champions League playoffs, though they were ultimately eliminated in the subsequent rounds.

Dinamo's full Europa League schedule includes home games against Bayer Leverkusen, Anderlecht, Sturm, and NEC, and away matches against AZ Alkmaar, Rennes, Sunderland, and Hapoel Beer Sheva. The exact date for the match in Bucharest is yet to be announced by UEFA, which will release the complete league phase schedule shortly.