Shpungin answers Israel call

Maccabi Tel-Aviv FC defender Yuval Shpungin has received his first call-up after coach Dror Kashtan included him in the squad to face Croatia in UEFA EURO 2008™ Group E on 15 November.

Davidovich doubt
The 19-year-old Shpungin is one of several Under-21 internationals to be selected along with Maccabi Haifa FC's Dekel Keinan and Tom Al Madon, while Al Madon's fellow Haifa goalkeeper Nir Davidovich is named despite currently playing with a broken thumb. Al Madon will at least provide cover for RC Deportivo La Coruña's Dudu Awat should Davidovich have to drop out. Beitar Jerusalem FC youngsters Toto Tamuz, Amit Ben Shushan and Aviram Brochyan also get the nod, but there is no place for Haifa striker Yaniv Katan.

Israel squad
Goalkeepers: Dudu Awat (RC Deportivo La Coruña), Nir Davidovich (Maccabi Haifa FC), Tom Al Madon (Maccabi Haifa FC).

Defenders: Tal Ben Haim (Bolton Wanderers FC), Adoram Keise (Maccabi Haifa FC), Dekel Keinan (Maccabi Haifa FC), Shimon Gershon (Beitar Jerusalem FC), Tomer Ben-Yosef (Beitar Jerusalem FC), Ronny Gafni (Beitar Jerusalem FC), Yoav Ziv (Beitar Jerusalem FC), Rahamin Klemi Saban (FC Steaua Bucuresti), Yuval Shpungin (Maccabi Tel-Aviv FC).

Midfield: Yossi Benayoun (West Ham United FC), Idan Tal (Bolton Wanderers FC), Gal Alberman (Beitar Jerusalem FC), Omri Afek (Beitar Jerusalem FC), Michael Zandberg (Beitar Jerusalem FC), Aviram Brochyan (Beitar Jerusalem FC), Walid Badir (Hapoel Tel-Aviv FC), Salim Toema (Hapoel Tel-Aviv FC).

Forwards: Roberto Colautti (Maccabi Haifa FC), Shlomi Arbeitman (Maccabi Haifa FC), Amit Ben Shushan (Beitar Jerusalem FC), Toto Tamuz (Beitar Jerusalem FC).