In historic first, Israeli Under-21 soccer team reaches Euro semifinals

Squad beats Georgia in penalty shootout to advance, winning 4-3 to continue historic run at European Championship and Under20 World Cup before it

Israel’s Under-21 soccer team defeated Georgia on Saturday evening in a dramatic penalty shootout to advance to the European Championship semifinals for the first time.

The shootout was held after neither side scored a goal in regular or extra time.

The Israeli squad won 4-3 in penalties, with goalkeeper Daniel Peretz awarded man of the match for keeping the Georgians at bay.

“He made several excellent saves during the match, as well as one in the shootout,” UEFA said. “He also showed safe hands to repeatedly claim crosses.”

The historic win came before a crowd in Tbilisi, the capital of Georgia, which is hosting the tournament along with Romania.

“Congratulates on the incredible win!” President Isaac Herzog tweeted, crediting the players’ “determination and willpower.”

“Good luck in the Euro semifinals, we’re behind you,” he added.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hailed the team’s “incredible achievement.”

Israel will play on Wednesday for a place in the final against the winner of Sunday’s quarterfinal between Portugal and England, the latter of whom already beat the Israeli team during the tournament when they squared off in the group stage.

England also helped Israel advance out of the qualifying round by beating Germany, knocking it out of contention and enabling the Israeli squad to move on after it defeated the Czech Republic.

The success at the European competition continues an impressive summer for Israeli soccer following the heroics of the Under-20 team at the World Cup in Argentina, where it took third place.

Throughout that weeks-long tournament, the Israeli squad pulled off a series of improbable wins, including a shock victory over powerhouse Brazil in the quarterfinals.

This year marked Israel’s first-ever trip to the U-20 World Cup. Its lone trip to the main World Cup in 1970 ended without a single win.

The U-20 tournament was held in Argentina after Indonesia was stripped of its spot as host and participant amid protests in the Muslim-majority country against hosting the Israeli team.