Israel dumps Wales, to face England in Euro lacrosse final

Israel (7-0) secured itself at least a silver medal by beating Wales 10-3 in the semifinals on Thursday at Szent Istvan University.

By JERUSALEM POST SPORTS STAFF
Israel will face England in the final of the 2016 ELF European Lacrosse Championships on Saturday after beating Wales 10-3 yesterday. (photo credit: ISRAEL LACROSSE)
Israel will face England in the final of the 2016 ELF European Lacrosse Championships on Saturday after beating Wales 10-3 yesterday.
(photo credit: ISRAEL LACROSSE)
The Israel men’s national team faces England in the final of the 2016 ELF European Lacrosse Championships in Budapest, Hungary on Saturday.
Israel (7-0) secured itself at least a silver medal by beating Wales 10-3 in the semifinals on Thursday at Szent Istvan University.
England (7-0) is the defending European champion and rolled past previously- undefeated Finland, 14-1, in the other semifinal on Thursday.
Saturday will be a historic day for the Israel Lacrosse Association, in that the blue-and-white has never finished better than fourth in a major quadrennial championship event.
Israel and England last met at the 2014 FIL World Lacrosse Championships, with England prevailing in a 10-9 overtime win.
England jumped out to a 5-0 lead and never trailed, but the Israelis gave them all they could handle. The only other previous meeting was a one-goal England win as well, in an exhibition game ahead of the 2014 Worlds.
On Thursday, the Israelis took an early 2-0 advantage over Wales on quick goals from Daniel Leventhal and Caleb Brodie.
The blue-and-white led 5-0 at the half and 6-0 in the third quarter before Eoin Dunne finally put Wales on the board at the 46-minute-mark.
The blue-and-white scored four more in a row to lead 10-1 in the fourth quarter, and cruised to victory.
Matthew Cherry (one goal, four assists) and Kyle Bergman (three goals, one assist) led Israel, while Ian Kadish (two goals, one assist) and Leventhal (two goals) also had a big day. Caleb Brodie and Noah Miller added singles.
Eric Fischer (76:38, 8 saves, 2 GA) earned the win in goal for Israel while Andrew Landsman, who finished the game in net, allowed one goal.
Rhordi Stanford led Wales with one goal and one assist. Dunne and Paul Simpson added singles, with James Richardson (80:00, 15 saves, 10 GA) playing admirably in goal for Wales.