Last update - 00:00 11/10/2006
Israel U-21 soccer team qualifies for Euro '07 after beating France
By Rami Hipsch, Haaretz Correspondent and Itim
Israel's under 21 soccer team qualified to the under 21 European Cup tournament for the first time on Wednesday after defeating France 1-0 at Herzliya's municipal stadium.
Amir Taga scored the winning goal in the 89th minute after the French goalkeeper deflected a shot by Toto Tamuz, leaving him in front of a wide open goal. Taga had come on as a substitute only four minutes earlier.
The goal put the Israeli squad ahead 2-1 on aggregate, promising it a spot in the tournament that will be held in Holland.
Prime Minister Ehud Olmert called the Under 21 national team's coach, Guy Levi, to congrtulate him on qualifying.
"This is the first chapter in the new history of Israeli soccer which you have set in moption this evening," Olmert said.