Italian berth in Israel's reach
Monday, March 28, 2005
Article summary
Greece 0-1 Israel Another single-goal victory leaves Israel requiring only a draw on Wednesday to qualify.
Article body
Israel are just one point away from reaching the UEFA European Under-17 Championship final tournament as they followed up their 1-0 opening Elite round Group 5 win against hosts Austria with an identical victory versus Greece.
'One careless moment'
The Greeks had also won by a single goal on Saturday, against Romania, but fell behind to a Maor Bar Buzaglo goal with 17 minutes to go and six minutes later Papastathopoulos was denied in a one-on-one with the Israeli goalkeeper Guy Hadani. Greece coach Georgios Semertzidis admitted: "In one careless moment, we conceded the decisive goal. I thank the team for their efforts - but in football results do not always come as you want."
Israel's task
However, his side still have a slim chance of going through, but only if they defeat eliminated Austria in Kapfenberg and Israel lose 1-0 to Romania, who overcame the group hosts by that scoreline today. Israel have a simpler task in Bruck/Mur - a draw against Romania, and they will have secured the one place on offer in the finals in Italy in May.
