Games we Play: Soccer - England wins Olim World Cup

Smashes Argentina 6-0 on the way to beating Ethiopia 1-0 in the final.

By JPOST.COM STAFF
olim soccer cup 298.88 (photo credit: Courtesy)
olim soccer cup 298.88
(photo credit: Courtesy)
More than 40 years after England's original triumph at Wembley in 1966, the boys in white were again crowned world champion - this time in the fifth Olim World Cup. A dozen countries descended on the Maccabiah Stadium at the Tel Aviv port on May 25 to do battle. The England team got off to the perfect start in the 9 a.m. kick off against Austria. Josh Portnoi put England 1-0 up at half time before Ben Rosen scored the second to seal a 2-0 win. Next up were Argentina, historically one of the stronger sides. Portnoi once again opened the scoring before the flood gates opened in what proved to be the biggest win of the tournament. Further goals from Yoni Sidi, player manager Danny Newman, David Zackon and David Bazak made it 6-0, and England had qualified for the quarter finals with a game to spare. The final group game was against the Swiss. A draw would be enough to put England top of the group, but the English went one better, winning in strong fashion 3-0. In the quarterfinal England was up against old foe Germany. After a goalless first half in which England did everything but score, Sidi finally broke the deadlock with a superb free kick which sent the fans wild, and England into the semis. Next up were the tough Uruguayans. With more stoppages than play, the game petered out to a 0-0 draw, and the dreaded penalty shoot out! Choosing to go first, Sidi and Newman scored the first two England penalties to put the pressure on to the South Americans. Zackon held his nerve after some gamesmanship from their keeper to make it 3-2, before Blank produced further heroics and save Binke and Mocatta from a life time's worth of what ifs and blushes and earn England a final spot against two-time champions and holders Ethiopia. England were buoyed on by the fact that the Ethiopians had leaked four goals on the way to the final. It was a very tight game with the two best sides of the tournament canceling each other out. However it was Portnoi who produced the goods with a goal which turned out to be the winner. Proud player manager, Newman said: "All the lads played superbly. To go the whole tournament without conceding a goal is a magnificent achievement."