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(A7) Israel’s youth soccer team made history tonight when it qualified for the semi-finals of the European Football Championship for the first time ever.
The youth team, for which this is only their third appearance in the prestigious European Championship, prevailed tonight at the end of a tense penalty shootout over the Georgian home team.
Goalkeeper Daniel Perez, who stopped 3 penalty kicks by the Irish team in the promotion playoff, did the same tonight when he stopped Georgia’s third penalty in the penalty shootout.
In doing so, Perez single-handedly brought Israel’s youth national team to the semifinals of the European Football Championship for the first time in its history and guarantees it the historic ticket to the Olympic Games to be held in Paris, France next year.
Israel’s youth team started the game well with two close attempts at a goal in the first sixty minutes of the game, but both were foiled by the Georgian goalkeeper.
In the second half, the Georgian hosts took control of the game, riding the home field advantage to a draw with the Israelis and overtime. After half an hour of overtime, the two went to the fateful penalty shootout.
President Isaac Herzog congratulated the team: “We are so proud of you! The Israeli soccer team at the Olympics. Congratulations on the amazing achievement! Thanks to your determination and willpower, you brought an amazing victory. Good luck in the semi-finals of the Euros – we are behind you.”
Prime Minister Netanyahu commented: “Go Israel! Congratulations to our youth team on an amazing achievement.”
