Israel’s Historic Triumph: Advancing to the Semi-finals of U21 European Championship

2023-07-01 21:46:06

Goalkeeper Daniel Peretz is the celebrated hero of Israel. © ANSA / YURI KOCHETKOV

The first quarter-finals of the U21 European Championship took place on Saturday evening. In the end, Israel and Spain each just celebrated reaching the semi-finals.

Israel have reached the semi-finals of a European Under-21 Football Championship for the first time, ending the dream of co-hosts Georgia. Israel prevailed 4:3 (0:0, 0:0) on penalties following an exciting quarter-final on Saturday evening. A saved penalty by keeper Daniel Peretz was decisive for the historical success, Saba Khvadagiani also shot the post and thus ended the high flight of the Georgians in front of a record crowd of 44,338 fans in the Boris Paichadze National Stadium in Georgia’s capital Tbilisi, who also played for the first time in stood in a U21 quarter-final.

The second quarter-final game of the day between Spain and Switzerland was similarly close. After “La Furia Roja” took a 1-0 lead through Sergio Gomez in the 68th minute, the Swiss sensationally equalized in injury time through Mohamed Andouni and thus forced extra time. But during this Spain played to their advantage and took the lead once more through Juan Miranda (103rd). Switzerland might no longer react to this and Spain advanced to the semi-finals.

The Spaniards celebrate reaching the semi-finals. © ANSA / ROBERT GHEMENT

There it meets either France or Ukraine, who play their quarter-finals on Sunday at 9 p.m. Israel’s semi-final opponents on Wednesday are either England or Portugal, who also meet on Sunday (6:00 p.m.).

The results

Georgia U21 0-1 Israel U21 on penalties

Spain U21 2-1 Switzerland U21 following extra time
Tore: 1:0 Gomez (68.), 1:1 Amdouni (90+1), 2:1 Miranda (103)

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