Israel’s Under-21 Soccer Team Shocks Czech Republic, Advances To Euro Championship Quarterfinals

KUTAISI, GEORGIA - JUNE 22: Yann Bisseck of Germany looks on after the UEFA Under-21 Euro 2023 match between Germany and Israel on June 22, 2023 in Kutaisi, Georgia. PHOTO BY /GETTY IMAGES

Israel’s Under-21 soccer team punched its ticket to the European Championship quarterfinals by shocking the Czech Republic on Wednesday.

Omri Gandelman scored in the 82nd minute of the match to give Israel a 1-0 win.

The Israelis began the 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.Israel will next face Georgia on Saturday.

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.

KUTAISI, GEORGIA – JUNE 22: Anan Khalaili of Israel and Luca Netz of Germany battle for the ball during the UEFA Under-21 Euro 2023 match between Germany and Israel on June 22, 2023 in Kutaisi, Georgia. PHOTO BY GIORGI EBANOIDZE IMQGES/GETTY IMAGES 

Israel stunned the soccer world repeatedly throughout the tournament, especially with its upset of powerhouse Brazil in the quarterfinals.

Prior to the tournament, Israel had never won a FIFA World Cup match, having tied two games and lost the other in its only previous appearance in any such competition, the adult World Cup event in Mexico in 1970.

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