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Zenger
Zenger
Alberto Arellano

Israel Advances To Under-21 Euro Semifinals With Penalty Shootout Win

Israel players and coaching staff celebrate after defeating South Korea in the Argentina 2023 U-20 World Cup third-place match between Israel and South Korea at the Estadio Unico Diego Armando Maradona stadium in La Plata, Argentina, on June 11, 2023. PHOTO BY LUIS ROBAYO/GETTY IMAGES

Israel scored a historic victory in the Under-21 European Championships, beating Georgia in a penalty shootout on Saturday night to advance to the semifinals.

The Israeli squad won 4-3 in penalties following a goalless contest.

Israeli goalkeeper Daniel Peretz was awarded man of the match for keeping the Georgians off the scoresheet, including blocking one of the shootout attempts.

The win silenced the 44,338 fans gathered in Tbilisi, the capital of Georgia, which is hosting the tournament together with Romania.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hailed the team’s “incredible achievement.”

President Isaac Herzog hailed the team’s “determination and willpower,” adding, “We’re behind you.”

Israel will play on Wednesday for a spot in the final against the winner of Sunday’s match between Portugal and England, which beat the Israeli squad 2-0 during the group stage.

BATUMI, GEORGIA – JUNE 28: Israel supporters celebrate their team advancing to the quarter finals after the UEFA Under-21 Euro 2023 Group C match between England and Germany at Batumi Arena on June 28, 2023 in Batumi, Georgia. PHOTO BY ALEX CAPARROS/GETTY IMAGES 

Israel’s Under-21 team had punched its ticket to the quarterfinals by shocking the Czech Republic on Wednesday, with Omri Gandelman scoring in the 82nd minute to give Israel a 1-0 win.

The Israelis began that evening at the bottom of their group, and needed to beat the Czechs and for England, which had already qualified for the next round, to defeat Germany.

The success follows Israel’s historic run earlier this month at the FIFA Under-20 World Cup in Argentina, where the team finished in third place.

 

Produced in association with Jewish News Syndicate

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