Israel national under-21 football team

Israel Under-21
Nickname(s)הנבחרת הצעירה (The Young Chosen Team)
AssociationIsrael Football Association
ConfederationUEFA (Europe)
Head coachAlon Hazan[1]
CaptainOr Blorian[2]
Most capsArik Benado (39)[3]
Top scorerAlon Mizrahi (15)[4]
FIFA codeISR
First colours
Second colours
First international
 Greece 2–2 Israel 
(Greece; 1990)
Biggest win
 Israel 6–0 Austria 
(Israel)
Biggest defeat
 Israel 0–4 Spain 
(Israel)
 Israel 0–4 Portugal 
(16 June 2007)
 Israel 0–4 Italy 
(Tel Aviv, Israel; 8 June 2013)
 Rep. Ireland 4–0 Israel 
(Dublin, Ireland; 9 October 2017)
UEFA U-21 Championship
Appearances2 (first in 2007)
Best resultGroup Stage (2007, 2013)

The Israrel national under-21 football team (Hebrew: הנבחרת הצעירה של ישראל בכדורגל) is the national under-21 football team of Israel and is controlled by the Israel Football Association (IFA). It is considered to be the feeder team for the senior Israel national football team.

It has recently qualified for the European Championships to be held in the Netherlands after beating the French under-21 team 2–1 on aggregate.

This team consists of Israeli players aged 21 or under at the start of each two-year UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship campaign, so players can be, and often are, up to 23 years old. Team members may also simultaneously qualify to various teams for Under-20s (for non-UEFA tournaments), Under-19s and Under 17s, or even the senior national team, so long as the meet the respective age restriction. It is also possible to play for one country at youth level and another at senior level (provided the player is eligible).

The U-21 team has been constructed, following the Israel's acceptance as a full member of UEFA. A draw in a qualifier against Greece in Greece was Israel U-21s' first result in 1990.

Israel U-21s do not have a permanent home. They play in stadia dotted all around Israel in an attempt to encourage fans in all areas of the country to get behind Israel. Because of the lack of appeal compared to the senior national team, smaller grounds are used (such as HaMoshava Stadium in Petah Tikva, Israel).

Competition History

There is no Under-21 World Cup, although there is an Under-20 World Cup. European U-21 teams compete for the European Championship, with the finals every even-numbered year. It will be held in odd-numbered years from 2007. Israel has never fared well in European Under-21 Football Championships.

The current campaign started shortly after the 2006 finals - the qualification stage of the 2007 competition. UEFA have decided to shift the next tournament forward to avoid a clash with senior tournaments taking place in even-numbered years. The competition has therefore been reduced as qualifying must be completed in a year's less time. In their three-team qualification group, Israel finished ahead of Turkey and Wales. In the two-legged play-off against France for a place in the final stage, the team achieved a surprising 1–1 draw in France and won the home match 1–0, with Amir Taga scoring in stoppage time.

Note: The year of the tournament represents the year in which it ends.

Competitive Record

UEFA European Under-21 Championship Record
The Israel national U-21 football team at the 2013 UEFA Euros Under-21 that was held in Israel
Year Round GP W D* L GS GA
1992Qualifying Stage6320173
1994Qualifying Stage103161716
1996Qualifying Stage103341211
1998Qualifying Stage8521179
2000Qualifying Stage8224613
2002Qualifying Stage84041613
2004Qualifying Stage8314611
2006Qualifying Stage8431117
2007Group Stage722359
2009Qualification Playoffs8521165
2011Qualifying Stage8512188
2013Group Stage311136
2015Qualifying Stage85032215
2017Qualifying Stage10631214
2019Qualifying Stage104241718
2021Qualifying Stage103431214
2023Qualification in progress
Total2/15110472541177139

Players

Top Appearances
Rank Player Club(s) Year(s) U-21 Caps
1Arik BenadoMaccabi Haifa, Beitar Jerusalem1992–199539
2Nir SiviliaMaccabi Tel Aviv, Bnei Yehuda, Beitar Jerusalem1993–199734
2Shay HoltzmanMaccabi Netanya, Maccabi Haifa, Tzafririm Holon1992–199534
3Dekel KeinanMaccabi Haifa, Bnei Sakhnin, Maccabi Netanya2003–200730
4Alon HalfonMaccabi Netanya, Hapoel Haifa1993–199529
4Tom AlmadonMaccabi Haifa2004–200729
5Ofer TalkerIroni Ashdod, Hapoel Haifa1992–199528
6Ofir KopelMaccabi Haifa1994–199727
7Lior JanMaccabi Tel Aviv2006–200826
8Moshe OhayonF.C. Ashdod2001–200524

Note: Club(s) represents the permanent clubs during the player's time in the Under-21s.

Top Goalscorers
Rank Player Club(s) Year(s) U-21 Goals
1Alon MizrahiBnei Yehuda1992–199315
2Shay HoltzmanMaccabi Netanya, Maccabi Haifa, Tzafririm Holon1992–199514
3Mu'nas DabburMaccabi Tel Aviv, Grasshopper2011–201413
4Nir SiviliaMaccabi Tel Aviv, Bnei Yehuda, Beitar Jerusalem1993–199712
5Ben SaharChelsea, Espanyol2007–20108
5Maor BuzagloMaccabi Haifa, Hapoel Petah Tikva, Bnei Sakhnin, Maccabi Tel Aviv2007–20108
6Eli AbarbanelHapoel Petah Tikva1994–19997
6Amir TurgemanIroni Ashdod1992–19937

Note: Club(s) represents the permanent clubs during the player's time in the Under-21s.

UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship

2023 UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualification
Main article: 2023 UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualification Group B
Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1  Germany 8 7 0 1 26 8 +18 21 Final tournament — 3–2 0–4 3 Jun 4–0 4–0
2  Israel 8 5 1 2 17 9 +8 16 Play-offs 0–1 — 2–2 3–0 2–1 7 Jun
3  Poland 8 4 3 1 20 7 +13 15 7 Jun 1–2 — 1–1 5–0 3–0
4  Hungary (Y) 8 3 2 3 14 13 +1 11 1–5 1–2 2–2 — 1–0 4–0
5  Latvia (E) 8 1 1 6 4 17 −13 4 1–3 2 Jun 0–2 7 Jun — 2–0
6  San Marino (E) 8 0 1 7 0 27 −27 1 0–6 0–4 2 Jun 0–4 0–0 —
Updated to match(es) played on 29 March 2022. Source: UEFA
Rules for classification: Tiebreakers
(E) Eliminated; (Y) Cannot qualify directly, may only advance to play-offs

Results and fixtures

  Win   Draw   Loss

2 September 2021 (2021-09-02) 2023 UEFA Euro U-21 qualification Hungary  1–2  Israel Ménfői úti Stadion, Győr, Hungary
17:30 Tóth-Gábor 68' Nachmani 32'
Gandelman 86'		 Attendance: 210
Referee: Vladimir Moskalyov (Russia)
7 September 2021 (2021-09-07) 2023 UEFA Euro U-21 qualification Poland  1–2  Israel Arena Lublin, Lublin, Poland
20:00 Smoliński 7' Report Walukiewicz 32' (o.g.)
Karzev 49'		 Attendance: 4,386
Referee: Morten Krogh (Denmark)
7 October 2021 (2021-10-07) 2023 UEFA Euro U-21 qualification Germany  3–2  Israel Benteler-Arena, Paderborn, Germany
18:15 Tillman 34'
Schade 88'
Burkardt 90'		 Report Leidner 28'
Gandelman 51'		 Attendance: 3,262
Referee: Radu Petrescu (Romania)
12 October 2021 (2021-10-12) 2023 UEFA Euro U-21 qualification Israel  2–1  Latvia HaMoshava Stadium, Petah Tikva, Israel
18:30 (19:30 UTC+3)
  • Buganim 8'
  • Shahar 89'
 Report
  • Veips 16'
 Attendance: 650
Referee: Jasmin Sabotic (Luxembourg)
11 November 2021 (2021-11-11) 2023 UEFA Euro U-21 qualification San Marino  0–4  Israel San Marino Stadium, Serravalle, San Marino
19:00 Report
  • Bilu 12'
  • Davida 13'
  • Buganim 28'
  • Shahar 31'
 Attendance: 110
Referee: Henrik Nalbandyan (Armenia)
16 November 2021 (2021-11-16) 2023 UEFA Euro U-21 qualification Israel  3–0  Hungary HaMoshava Stadium, Petah Tikva, Israel
18:40 (19:40 UTC+2)
Report Attendance: 930
Referee: Yaroslav Kozyk (Ukraine)
24 March 2022 (2022-03-24) 2023 UEFA Euro U-21 qualification Israel  2–2  Poland HaMoshava Stadium, Petah Tikva, Israel
17:30 UTC+1 (18:30 UTC+2)
Report
Attendance: 3,870[5]
Referee: Bram Van Driessche (Belgium)
29 March 2022 (2022-03-29) 2023 UEFA Euro U-21 qualification Israel  0–1  Germany HaMoshava Stadium, Petah Tikva, Israel
16:45 UTC+2 (17:45 UTC+3) Report Katterbach 60' Referee: Jérémie Pignard (France)
2 June 2022 (2022-06-02) 2023 UEFA Euro U-21 qualification Latvia  v  Israel
Report

Coaching staff
As of 21 March 2022[1]
Position Name
Manager Alon Hazan
Assistant Manager Haim Cohen
Analyst Maayan Bahalul
Goalkeeper Coach Itay Zilpa
Fitness Coach Yossi Kakun

Players

Current squad

The following players were called up for the 2023 UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualification matches against Poland on 24 March 2022, and against Germany on 29 March 2022.[6][7][8][9][10][11][12]

Caps and goals updated as of 29 March 2022, after the match against Germany.[13][14]
No. Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club
1GK Omer Nir'on (2001-04-17) 17 April 2001 4 0 Hapoel Ramat HaSharon
1GK Daniel Peretz (2000-07-10) 10 July 2000 4 0 Maccabi Tel Aviv
1GK Sharif Kayouf (2001-06-25) 25 June 2001 0 0 Hapoel Afula
2DF Gil Cohen (2000-11-08) 8 November 2000 13 0 F.C. Ashdod INJ
2DF Karem Jaber (2000-10-31) 31 October 2000 7 0 Maccabi Netanya
2DF Zohar Zasno (2001-11-21) 21 November 2001 5 1 F.C. Ashdod
2DF Ziv Morgan (2000-01-19) 19 January 2000 4 0 Ironi Kiryat Shmona
2DF Amit Glazer (2000-05-30) 30 May 2000 1 0 Bnei Yehuda
2DF Tamir Glazer (2000-05-30) 30 May 2000 1 0 Hapoel Hadera
2DF Itay Ben Shabat (2000-07-09) 9 July 2000 0 0 Ironi Kiryat Shmona
3MF Ido Shahar (2001-08-20) 20 August 2001 11 2 Maccabi Petah Tikva
3MF Eden Karzev (vice-captain) (2000-04-11) 11 April 2000 11 2 Maccabi Netanya
3MF Omri Gandelman (2000-05-16) 16 May 2000 7 3 Maccabi Netanya
3MF Maor Levi (2000-06-18) 18 June 2000 6 0 Maccabi Haifa
3MF Yuval Sadeh (2000-05-10) 10 May 2000 6 0 Maccabi Netanya
3MF Ilay Elmkies (2000-03-10) 10 March 2000 6 0 Admira Wacker
3MF Mohammed "Hamoudi" Kna'an (2000-01-14) 14 January 2000 4 0 F.C. Ashdod
3MF Nadav Nidam (2001-04-11) 11 April 2001 0 0 Ironi Kiryat Shmona
4FW Osher Davida (2001-02-18) 18 February 2001 10 1 Hapoel Tel Aviv INJ
4FW Itay Buganim (2001-05-29) 29 May 2001 7 2 Hapoel Haifa
4FW Liel Abada (2001-10-03) 3 October 2001 7 1 Celtic
4FW Suf Podgoreanu (2002-01-20) 20 January 2002 4 0 Spezia

Recent call-ups

The following players have been called up for the team within the last 12 months and are still available for selection.

Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club Latest call-up
GK Nadav Zamir (2001-07-07) 7 July 2001 1 0 Ironi Kiryat Shmona v.  San Marino, 11 November 2021
DF Or Blorian (captain[2]) (2000-03-07) 7 March 2000 12 0 Maccabi Petah Tikva v.  Poland, 26 March 2022 INJ
DF Doron Leidner (2002-04-26) 26 April 2002 5 1 Hapoel Tel Aviv v.  Poland, 26 March 2022 SUS
DF Tomer Machluf (2000-08-09) 9 August 2000 1 0 Beitar Tel Aviv Bat Yam v.  Hungary, 16 November 2021}}
DF Noam Malmud (2002-08-02) 2 August 2002 0 0 Hapoel Jerusalem v.  Germany, 7 October 2021
MF Arad Bar (2000-01-29) 29 January 2000 4 2 Maccabi Petah Tikva v.  Poland, 26 March 2022 COV
MF Aviel Zargari (2002-12-11) 11 December 2002 2 0 Beitar Jerusalem v.  Poland, 26 March 2022 INJ
MF Eitan Azulay (2002-05-26) 26 May 2002 4 0 Maccabi Petah Tikva v.  Hungary, 16 November 2021
MF Timothy Muzie (2001-01-24) 24 January 2001 0 0 Hapoel Nof HaGali v.  San Marino, 11 November 2021
MF Bar Cohen (2001-03-10) 10 March 2001 0 0 Hapoel Nof HaGalil v.  Hungary, 2 September 2021
FW Oz Bilu (2001-01-16) 16 January 2001 3 1 F.C. Ashdod v.  Hungary, 16 November 2021
FW Stav Nachmani (2002-10-06) 6 October 2002 3 1 Hapoel Nof HaGalil v.  Latvia, 12 October 2021
FW Ihab Abu Alshech (2000-03-06) 6 March 2000 1 0 Maccabi Netanya v.  Germany, 7 October 2021
FW Hisham Layous (2000-11-13) 13 November 2000 1 0 F.C. Kafr Qasim v.  Hungary, 2 September 2021

See also

References
  1. "ההתאחדות לכדורגל בישראל - נבחרת".
  2. "Israel-Poland | Under-21 2022/23".
  3. http://football.org.il/NationalTeam/Pages/NationalTeamAppearance.aspx?NATIONAL_TEAM_ID=943&PAGE_NUM=1
  4. http://football.org.il/NationalTeam/Pages/NationalTeamCaptivate.aspx?NATIONAL_TEAM_ID=943&PAGE_NUM=1
  5. "לדרמן: "רוצה לשחק בפולין, מאמינים בי" - ספורט 5".
  6. "ההתאחדות לכדורגל בישראל - נבחרת".
  7. https://www.israelhayom.co.il/sport/israeli-soccer/article/9203111
  8. "לדרמן: "רוצה לשחק בפולין, מאמינים בי" - ספורט 5".
  9. "לפני גרמניה: שלושה חיוביים גבוליים בסגל - ספורט 5".
  10. "בוגאנים וגלזר זומנו לצעירה, זרגרי יעדר - ספורט 5".
  11. "בלוריאן שוחרר. פרץ ובר חיוביים גבוליים - ספורט 5".
  12. "פרץ כשיר לגרמניה. קארצב: "נשמח את העם" - ספורט 5".
  13. "Israel U21 vs. Germany U21 - 29 March 2022 - Soccerway".
  14. "Israel-Germany | Under-21 2022/23".
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