Needing only a point to qualify for the quarter-finals of the Under-21 Euro 2023 Championships, Czech Republic Under-21s tackle Israel Under-21s in Wednesday's Group C showdown at the Ramaz Shengelia Stadium.
Ahead of the two nations' inaugural meeting at Under-21 level, Jan Suchoparek's side stunned Germany 2-1 last time out to move into second place, while the Young Chosen Team were seen off 2-0 by section leaders England to remain at the foot of the standings.
Match preview
© Reuters
With England riding off into the sunset as group winners, an intense three-way tussle for second place between Germany, the Czech Republic and Israel will materialise on Wednesday evening, but the latter's uphill climb is the steepest.
Guy Luzon's side could not follow up their impressive draw against Germany with an equally resilient showing against England, as they succumbed to goals from Anthony Gordon and Emile Smith Rowe either side of the half-time whistle while showing few signs of life in the final third.
With a solitary point to their name and a worse goal difference than Germany, Israel must win and better the champions' result against England if they are to sneak into the knockout stages for the very first time, having previously been dumped out at the first hurdle in 2007 and 2013.
A handful of players in Luzon's ranks were involved in Israel Under-19s' run to the final of last year's Under-19 European Championships, but that continental know-how is yet to translate into results in Group C, and the Young Chosen Team have now gone six games without a win in all tournaments - scoring a mere three goals in the process.
The Czech Republic had seemingly taken a leaf out of Israel's book when it comes to absorbing incessant German pressure, as after failing to make their dominance count against the Young Chosen Team, the champions once again fell short against the beleaguered Little Lions.
Despite facing wave after wave of German onslaughts, Suchoparek's side looked to have done enough for a point after Angelo Stiller cancelled out Vaclav Sejk's opener, but there was a late twist to the tale, as Martin Vitik came up with an 87th minute winner for the ecstatic Czechs.
As well as ending a six-game losing run across all competitions, those three points against the holders allowed the Czech Republic to surge into second place in Group C, and a draw against Israel would send them through to the quarters thanks to their superior head-to-head record over Germany.
The Little Lions have struggled to make waves in the Under-21 landscape since becoming European champions in 2002 - suffering group-stage exits in each of their last three appearances - but a place in the quarters would be just reward for putting the champions to the sword with a mere 31% possession on the night.
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Team News
Israel will receive a timely boost with the return of midfielder Eden Karzev - who was sent off in their opener against Germany - from a one-game ban, and his fresh legs could be utilised over Hisham Layous.
Luzon is not reported to be dealing with any fitness problems ahead of Wednesday's crunch clash, with Red Bull Salzburg starlet Oscar Gloukh shaking off a minor concern to start against England, and the 19-year-old should provide support to Dor Turgeman once again.
Meanwhile, the Czech Republic came through their success over Germany without any fresh injuries, but Suchoparek will no doubt need to assess his charges after such a gruelling yet worthwhile affair.
Defender Michal Fukala took over left-back duties from Martin Cedidla on Sunday and may have done enough to hold his spot in the rearguard, while the same can be said for Matej Valenta, who replaced Filip Kaloc in midfield after the latter wore the armband against England.
Israel Under-21s possible starting lineup:
Peretz; Jaber, Lemkin, Cohen, Revivo; Karzev, Gandelman, Azoulay; Gloukh; Turgeman, Jorno
Czech Republic Under-21s possible starting lineup:
Jaros; Gabriel, Vitik, Hranac, Fukala; Zamburak, Cerv, Valenta; Karabec, Sejk, Kusej
We say: Israel Under-21s 0-1 Czech Republic Under-21s
Israel could have had few complaints from their loss to England in the wake of a rather passive performance, which would certainly not cut the mustard against a Czech Republic side who admirably kept Germany at bay for the most part on Sunday.
With the Little Lions on cloud nine and showcasing more attacking intent than Luzon's men at the Under-21 Euros so far, the Czech Republic could punch their ticket to the knockout rounds with another slender win, thereby prolonging Israel's wait for a quarter-final appearance.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Top tip
Ben Knapton
Spain U21s
