ENGLAND U21 are in the semi-finals of the Euros TODAY – and they’re up against Israel.
The Young Lions have been brilliant so far throughout the tournament, winning all four of their games without conceding.
They beat Portugal 1-0 in the quarters thanks to Anthony Gordon’s first-half goal.
- Kick off: 5pm BST
- FREE live stream: UEFA website
- England U21s XI: Trafford, Thomas, Colwill, Harwood-Bellis, Gibbs-White, Smith Rowe, Gordon, Garner, Jones, Palmer, Gomes
- Israel U21s XI: Zarfati, Lemkin, Cohen, Gandelman, Jaber, Azoulay, Gloukh, Hajaj, Revivo, Layous, Turgeman
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England U21 0-0 Israel U21
7. England win a free-kick near the corner flag and Gibbs-White crosses in.
Colwill tries to head home but the ball is too high and he misses the target.
England U21 0-0 Israel U21
5. Israel commit bodies forward as their wing-backs get in at the back post.
A deep cross causes issues and Thomas heads away for a corner.
The resulting set-piece sees Jaber hit a shot into row Z.
England U21 0-0 Israel U21
3. Great stuff from England.
Fantastic team move and movement off the ball sees Thomas fire it into Gordon.
He looks for the run of Smith Rowe, darting into the box.
But he is beaten to the ball by goalkeeper Zarfati as Israel get it away.
England U21 0-0 Israel U21
2. Israel are dropping into a deep block already and will look to frustrate England and their attacking talent.
Again, Garner is at right-back for the Young Lions, although he is predominately a midfielder.
Kick-off: England U21 0-0 Israel U21
1. And the first semi-final is underway.
England in their away strip of red get the ball rolling.
A reminder that we do have VAR after controversy earlier in the tournament when it was not in use.
Credit: Getty Talented teams
England come in as the favourites, knocking out Portugal and Germany en route to the semi-finals, who were last times finalists.
But there are plenty of Israeli fans inside the stadium and they are a side built on their Under-19s Euros triumph last year.
The players are out of the tunnel and the national anthems are underway.
Ten minutes to go
We are all set at the Batumi Stadium… ten minutes to the kick-off.
Credit: Getty Golden boot race
Anthony Gordon has been in fine form during the tournament and he is looking to get his hands on the golden boot.
Gordon and Emile Smith Rowe with their two goals each are chasing down Heorhiy Sudakov, who is top of the list on three.
Meanwhile, Morgan Gibbs-White is top of assists charts with three.
Ramsey injured
England are without Aston Villa star Jacob Ramsey as he is injured.
He left the match versus Portugal on crutches and will also be out the final should the team make it.
Max Aarons and Ben Johnson are also unavailable tonight due to suspensions.
England “not favourites” – Carsley
Young Lions manager Lee Carsley believes England are not favourites to win the Euros.
Spain and Ukraine meet in the other semi-final.
Carsley said: “We spoke about making sure we don’t look forward to the game too much because I’ve been there before myself as a player where you almost play the game in your mind and when you get to the game, you’re done.
“We’re both in the semi-final and I don’t see ourselves as favourites.”
Star man – Oscar Gloukh
Israel will be relying heavily on Oscar Gloukh this evening.
The 19-year-old attacking midfielder is set to for big things, having been capped six times by the Israeli senior side.
He plays for RB Salzburg, a team with a reputation of developing young talent like Erling Haaland, and Gloukh played 17 times for them last season as they won the Austrian Premier League.
Israel starting XI
Manager Guy Luzon, who used to be in charge of Charlton, has selected this side to face England.
Zarfati, Lemkin, Cohen, Gandelman, Jaber, Azoulay, Gloukh, Hajaj, Revivo, Layous, Turgeman
Team News
England line-up like this for the semi-final.
Trafford (GK), Garner, Harwood-Bellis, Colwill, Thomas, Gomes, Jones, Palmer, Gibbs-White, Smith Rowe, Gordon
Subs: Griffiths (GK), Rushworth (GK), Skipp, Archer, Branthwaite, Cresswell, Doyle, Elliot, Madueke
Credit: Getty Untouchable England
England are not just unbeaten in their four matches played so far in the tournament – they are also yet to concede a goal.
The Man City but Burnley-linked James Trafford between the sticks has been protected by a stubborn defence in front of him involving Taylor Harwood-Bellis and Levi Colwill.
Further up the pitch, Morgan Gibbs-White has shone and Emile Smith Rowe and Anthony Gordon have been bagging the goals.
Results so far:
- Group Stage: England 2-0 Czechia
- Group Stage: England 2-0 Israel
- Group Stage: England 2-0 Germany
- QF: England 1-0 Portugal
The rematch
England met Israel just ten days ago in the group stage of the competition.
The Young Lions won 2-0 thanks to goals from Anthony Gordon and Emile Smith Rowe.
England were in control for much of the game and looked comfortable but Israel will be determined not to lose twice to the same opponent as they meet in Batumi, Georgia this evening.
Israel were held by Germany and beat Czechia in their other group game.
In the last eight, they edged the host nation Georgia on penalties 4-3.
Israel U21s vs England U21s
England are in action in the semi-final of the Euro Under-21 Championships this evening.
Tonight, the Young Lions take on Israel as they look to book their place in the final on Saturday.
Kick-off is at 5pm.
Credit: EPA
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
