It’s been a banner summer for Israeli soccer as the accomplishments just keep on coming. The Under-21 National Team defeated Georgia 0-0 (4-3 on penalties) on Saturday night to punch its ticket to the semifinals of the European Championship as the young blue-and-white continue to be the talk of the football world.
Head coach Guy Luzon’s squad showed resilience, calm and confidence yet again to defeat the host nation in front of 50,000 fans in Tbilisi as all four of Israel’s penalty takers found the back of the goal, with starlet Oscar Gloukh scoring the winner.
’Keeper Daniel Peretz made one save in the penalty shootout while another Georgia spot kick went off of the post to send the blue-and-white into the semifinals. However, Peretz, who has been stellar thus far in the tournament, will not be able to play in the next game due to yellow card accumulation, and Under-20 star Tomer Tzarfati will take his place between the pipes for the penultimate knockout contest.
The Under-21 team is bolstered by a number of the Under-20 team stars - Dor Turgeman, Stav Lemkin, Roy Revivo, Or Israeli and the aforementioned Tzarfati - who took Ofir Haim’s squad to third-place finish at the World Cup last month in Argentina.
What's next for the Israeli under-21 team
Next up for Israel will be a Wednesday night date with either England - to whom it lost 2-0 to in the group stages of the competition - or the Three Lions’ opponent Portugal in their quarterfinal matchup. Should England beat Portugal, or if France is victorious in the quarterfinal clash against Ukraine, Israel will qualify for the 2024 Paris Olympics.
“Before the game we received messages from our families,” Luzon said. “I was super emotional and cried a lot in my hotel room, but this game gave me a sense of calm and confidence. I strongly believe this gave us that extra boost to give 120% today.
“The guys have tears in their eyes,” Georgia coach Ramaz Svanadze said. “They deserved more. I have thanked them for the time we spent together; it was a great responsibility, joy and challenge for all of us. Thank God that we took part and won the trust of our supporters.”
Peretz was smiling ear to ear following the game when he received the Man of Match award,
“It's a real honor but the pressure during penalties is, in my opinion, more on the players. This has been a team performance so I want to share this trophy with my team.
“I have goosebumps all over my body and I have to thank God, I am so proud of the entire team. We believe in one another and despite this game being so tough in a packed stadium it’s incredible to be a part of this. What a coach we have in Guy Luzon as he just has so much faith in us. I’m speechless.”
Erez Halfon, Chairman of the Israeli league sent his warm wishes to the squad, "Congratulations to the National Team, coach Guy Luzon, the staff and players on their historic qualification to the semifinals. I am happy and excited that this summer, which has been so successful for Israeli soccer, has continued in Georgia. The team stepped up a level in front of a sold-out stadium and they proved that they are the future of Israeli Football. We are all behind you and wish you good luck moving forward.”
On the pitch, Turgeman looked to open the game up with a quick strike, but his attempt was saved by the Georgian ’keeper while Gloukh’s ninth-minute attempt missed the target.
Georgia looked to have taken a lead 10 minutes later, but the VAR (Virtual Assistant Referee) determined that the ball had gone out prior to it finding its way behind the Israeli ’keeper to keep the score as is as the game headed into the break.
Omri Gendelman tried to give Guy Luzon’s side the lead early on in the second half, but his chance saw the ball sit on the goal line before being cleared by the Georgian defense. An active Gendelman and Gloukh once again threatened the host’s goal, but Giorgi Mamardashvili came up big to keep the game goalless in the 68th minute.
Peretz was issued a yellow card for wasting time in the 86th minute and due to yellow card accumulation would miss the next match as the game went into the extra time period.
As Israel began to tire, Georgia took control but couldn’t find the back of the goal, while on the other side, Gloukh almost settled the clash in the 116th minute but just came up short as the contest moved into penalties.
In the shootout, Israeli captain Gil Cohen, Gendelman, Anan Khalaili and Gloukh all scored, Giorgi Gagua’s attempt was stopped by Peretz and Saba Khvadagiani’s shot hit the woodwork as the blue-and-white players and fans celebrated into the night as they moved into the semifinals.