Israel-England is a match in the semi-finals of the European Under-21 Championships and is played on Wednesday at 18:00: line-ups and predictions.
While England’s semi-final berth is hardly surprising considering the arsenal at the disposal of Young Lions selector Lee Carsley of Ireland, Israel’s presence in the top four of the continental event jointly organised by Romania and Georgia is a first.
The boys led by Guy Luzon – a coach whose only experience outside his own country was ten years ago, at Standard Liege – achieved a feat destined to remain in history. Before this edition, in fact, the Israeli selection had never made it past the group stage in the only two participations in the final phase of a European Championship (2007 and 2013). But the premises for doing well, in fact, were all there. Among those called up by Luzon there are also several elements (including striker Turgeman) who had taken part in the Under-20 World Cup, held last June in Argentina and which, among the big surprises, saw Israel’s exploits, even in that case reaching the semi-finals.
Of course, the Luzon national team also needed a good dose of luck to be able to go that far. Between the group stage and the knockout phase, they won only one match in the 90-minute regulation period, the one against the Czech Republic (1-0) that was decisive for qualification to the quarter-finals, which they won thanks to second place in Group C.
England are solid
Turgeman and his team-mates began their adventure with a draw against Germany (1-1), their first defeat coming against England (2-0).
Luzon and Turgeman
In the quarters, then, Israel prevailed on penalties against hosts Georgia, after regulation and extra time had ended in a blank net (second consecutive clean sheet). England also showed great solidity: they reached the semifinals without conceding a goal while scoring seven. The latest victim of Carsley’s selection was Portugal, who had to concede 1-0 on Sunday despite multiple chances. The deciding goal came from Gordon, the 22-year-old Newcastle striker, who had already scored in the group stage against Israel.
The Prediction
England have already beaten Israel in this European Championships and are likely to do so again, in a semi-final that at least on paper looks a foregone conclusion. The Israelis, as well as the English, however, have shown themselves to be very solid and organised: it will not be easy for the Young Lions to break down their defence, in a match with less than three goals in total.
The official line-up for Israel v England
- ISRAEL U21 (4-4-2): Tzarfati; Jaber, Lemkin, Cohen, Revivo; Gloukh, Gandelman, Bar, Azoulay; Turgeman, Jorno.
- INGHILTERRA U21 (4-4-2): Trafford; Garner, Harwood-Bellis, Colwill, Thomas; Madueke, Jones, Gomes, Smith Rowe; Gibbs-White, Gordon.
POSSIBLE RESULT: 0-2
