Israel stunned Germany 4-3 in the final of the Diamonds Challenge beach soccer tournament in Netanya Friday, winning the trophy in front of 3,200 ecstatic supporters.
By JEREMY LASTjp.services2(photo credit: )
Israel stunned Germany 4-3 in the final of the Diamonds Challenge beach soccer tournament in Netanya on Friday, winning the trophy in front of 3,200 ecstatic supporters.
Despite defeating Turkey in the semis on Thursday, Israel was still the underdog, with the clinical Germans expected to win the event.
But, although Israel lost the lead three times, the host nation showed strength, determination and resilience to come out the victors in the end, with captain Tzachi Ilos scoring the winner in the third of three periods.
Raghed Badir had put Israel in the lead just two minutes into the game, turning neatly before firing a fierce shot past the German goalkeeper. Ilos made it 2-0 less than a minute later with a classy volley.
The Germans fought back and by the end of the first period had pulled the score back to 2-2 through two penalties.
In the second period Israel again took the lead, with Fartuk making it 3-2. Again Germany came back and scored, this time under Dos Santos, who slid in after the Israeli 'keeper had saved a German shot.
But the Israelis weren't beaten yet and the winner came through Ilos, who scored with a sublime backheeled volley from close range three minutes into the third period.
Earlier in the day France beat Turkey 6-4 in the third place playoff match, with the winning goal set up by French coach Eric Cantona, the former Manchester United star.
