2001/02: Tzafririm Holon – Maccabi Tel Aviv 1:1 (6:5 penalties)
The season may have ended with a Yellow & Blue State Cup title, but it could have ended in their first match against the second division side. Maccabi took the lead but Holon drew even in a contest that headed to penalties where a young Tal Ben Haim scored a spot kick.
2005/06: Maccabi Tel Aviv – Hapoel Beer Sheva 3:1
This campaign also saw Maccabi take home the State Cup and this was the match that began the journey. Despite being knotted up at 1:1, the Yellow & Blue found a way to defeat the southern club via a couple of unforgettable goals.
2006/07: Maccabi Tel Aviv – Hakoach Amidar Ramat Gan 2:1
Ori Malmilian’s club arrived at Bloomfield Stadium with very low expectations, but a Dan Roman screamer gave them the lead. Avi Yehiel found the back of the goal for Maccabi but the Yellow & Blue couldn’t avoid extra time which saw Avi Nimni miss a penalty while their rival missed on their end as well. All the action led to a 119th minute special by Giovanni Rosso who took the bull by the horns to help Maccabi advance to the next round.