July 3 – Israel and Ukraine were the surprise quarterfinal winners at the weekend at the under-21 European Championship, joining heavyweights England and Spain in the last four.
Three of them also qualified for next year’s Paris Olympics, the exception being England who are ineligible to represent Britain. As host nation, France have a direct entry.
On Saturday, Israel, whose young guns recently finished third in the under-20 World Cup, pulled off another upset by beating tournament co-hosts Georgia 4-3 on penalties after a 0-0 draw.
The following day Georgiy Sudakov scored twice In Cluj Napoca, Romania, as Ukraine came from behind to upset France 3-1 while Anthony Gordon scored the only goal in England’s 1-0 win over Portugal in Kutaisi, Georgia, riding their luck after halftime as Portugal laid siege to their goal.
In the semi-finals on Wednesday, England, hoping to lift the trophy for the first time since 1984, will face Israel in Batumi in a rematch of a group game that England won 2-0. In the other semi-final, Ukraine meet Spain in Bucharest.
Contact the writer of this story at moc.l1726763315labto1726763315ofdlr1726763315owedi1726763315sni@w1726763315ahsra1726763315w.wer1726763315dna1726763315