Under-17 team guide: Israel

For Israel's Under-17 team page click here

After missing out on a place in the first UEFA European Under-17 Championship finals Israel knocked out the Netherlands, Poland and Romania to reach this season's final tournament.

Extremely tough group
Having been drawn in the extremely tough Group B, alongside Spain, England and Italy, the Israelis must be considered outsiders, but they are radiating confidence and more than capable of springing several upsets.

THE COACH:
The 60-year-old Avraham Bahar has led Israel's U17 side for the past ten years. He began his coaching career in 1968 after the end of his playing career with Maccabi Tel-Aviv and Shimshon Tel-Aviv and has held posts at senior and youth levels with Hapoel Tel-Aviv, Maccabi Jaffa, Hapoel Kfar-Saba, Hapoel Bat Yam, Hapoel Netanya and Beitar Netanya, winning the youth league title with Maccabi Tel-Aviv and Hapoel Tel-Aviv as well as Hapoel Kfar Saba.

Continuity of system
Bahar utilises a 3-5-2 system of playing. "The system of ours is something which our players are being taught at a young age and follows them throughout their period among Israel's national teams - a fact which highlights continuity," he said.

PLAYERS TO WATCH:
Lior Rafaelov of Maccabi Haifa is a forward who can also operate as an attacking midfield player. A prolific goalscorer with impressive ball control and two good feet, the youngster has reportedly attracted the interest of AFC Ajax in the Netherlands.

Solid performances
Guy Haimov of Maccabi Tel-Aviv is a promising goalkeeper whose solid performances in qualifying matches impressed many observers. Finally, Michael Warwick, who plays for English club Stoke City FC, is a talented left-sided midfielder who can also operate as a central midfield player or left-back.

ROUTE TO THE FINALS:
In the first qualifying round Israel beat holders Switzerland to top spot in Group 3 after drawing with Iceland, beating Armenia narrowly 3-2 and then overcoming the Swiss 4-1.

Toughest section
In the second qualifying round Israel were drawn in arguably the toughest section - Group 4, alongside the Netherlands, Romania and Poland. After a 1-0 win against the Polish and a 1-1 draw with the Dutch a 2-0 victory against min-tournament hosts Romania secured the side's progression.

Israel youth honours:
UEFA European Under-16 Championship:
Five successive qualifications for final tournament 1995-2000