Israel are through to the Under-17 European Championship for the first time since 2005.
They will arrive at Chesterfield’s Proact Stadium on 4 May to take on the hosts England, before trips to St George’s Park to take on Switzerland and Italy in Group A.
The Middle Eastern nation are bidding to do something their senior counterparts have never previously managed – defeat England.
Haven’t we met before?
The most recent meeting between England and Israel came in September 2016, when the U18s triumphed 5-1 at Morecambe’s Globe Arena with two goals from George Hirst, plus one each for Morgan Feeney, Reiss Nelson and Jaden Brown.
In the first-ever senior meeting between the two nations, a friendly in February 1986, Bryan Robson marked his 50th cap with both goals in a 2-1 victory in Tel Aviv – the winner coming via an 86th-minute penalty.
England have not lost in any of the four meetings with Israel – the sole one on these shores came during the Euro 2008 qualifying campaign, where goals from Shaun Wright-Phillips, Michael Owen and Micah Richards helped the Three Lions to a comprehensive 3-0 victory.
More recently, our U21s travelled to Israel for the 2013 European Championships, but lost all three group matches including a 1-0 defeat to the hosts, with current Beitar Jerusalem midfielder Ofir Kriaf notching the winner.
Israeli impact
Plenty of Israeli footballers have made their mark on British shores over the years.
Avi Cohen only spent two years in England, but it was enough time to win both the league and European Cup with Liverpool. The defender, whose son Tamir would go on to play for Bolton Wanderers, was the first Israeli to play on these shores having moved to Anfield for £200,000 from Maccabi Tel Aviv in 1979. He died following a motorcycle accident in December 2010, aged 54.
Israel’s most-capped player Yossi Benayoun featured for five different English clubs over a decade – West Ham, Liverpool, Chelsea, Arsenal and QPR.
The winger, who has made more than 100 appearances for his national side, was on the losing side in the 2006 FA Cup final between Liverpool and West Ham, but helped Chelsea win the Europa League in 2013.
Brighton & Hove Albion have two current Israel internationals in their squad – striker Tomer Hemed and midfielder Beram Kayal.
The road to the Finals
Israel U17s emerged through October’s qualifying round comfortably with three wins from three and did not concede a goal.
A 1-0 win over Turkey thanks to captain Ofek Ovadia’s early goal was followed by a 2-0 defeat of hosts Czech Republic before Armenia were put to the sword 3-0. As a result, Israel were seeded in Pot A for March’s elite round.
Ibrahim Jauabra hit a hat-trick in the opening day thrashing of Romania, but a 3-0 defeat to Slovenia left their hopes of reaching the Finals hanging in the balance, with hosts Hungary left to play in the final match.
Knowing only a win would do, a 43rd-minute own goal from Kristof Vida decided the tie in Budapest ensuring the Israelis advanced to England as one of the seven best runners-up.
Coach’s view
“We’ve really been talking to the players about getting the crowd on side and what they'll want to see,” said Young Lions head coach Steve Cooper.
“They want to see a team with a real identity that represents what they believe an England team should stand for.
“We want to make the most of being at home and if we can get good crowds through the gates, we'll make sure we represent them in the best way possible.
“That can't be a pressure. That's something that they've got to enjoy and embrace.
“They've got to live for the moment because the further they get on the international stage, that only increases.
“If you think about right at the end – playing for the senior national team – the pressure and the scrutiny is at a maximum, so this is a really important step towards that.”
