Israel have qualified for the European Championship’s for only the second time in their history thanks to a win over the next best team in the Group, France. They too will also probably qualify, so long as they do not lose to Portugal tomorrow. In the later game, Portugal came out on top against Malta in a very low-scoring, but exciting match.
Israel 13-10 France (5-4, 4-2, 2-3, 2-1)
Israel: A. Peres, T. Levi 1, Y. Farkash 2, M. Bogachenko 3, K. Noy, A. Yaacobi 1, S. Strugo 3, D. Menakerman 4, M. Lindhout 1, N. Sasover 2, N. Hochberg 1, E. Tal, E. Burda
France: C. Vidal, E. Millot 1, G. Fitaire 1, T. Margueritte, L. Guillet 3, K. Benlekbir, J. Dhalluin 2, A. Battu 1, E. Vernoux 1, V, Heurtaux 1, Y. Deschampt, L. Andres, P. Martineaud-Peret
Israel are certain to secure a place at this year’s European Championships in Split with a fantastic win over France. Maria Bogachenko and Shunit Strugo both converted on three occasions in the match – a game that was close until the end. Goals from Strugo, Farkash and Lindhout in the last period secured the result for the Israeli’s, who are well worth the victory.
Despite the defeat, France will not panic, as they secure their place at the Euro’s when face Portugal tomorrow. France destroyed Malta on day one of the qualifiers, and will most likely defeat the Portuguese, who look fairly level with Malta after the two sides met today (Portugal won 6-4)
Malta 4-6 Portugal (1-2, 1-0, 1-2, 1-2)
Malta: Steph Desjardins, K. Camilleri, K. Agius 2, K. Navarro 1, M. Perici Ferrante 1, L. Cachia, F. Paolella, S. Camilleri, D. Micallef, R. Caruana Dingli, Z. Bartolo, N. Azzopardi, A. Amato
Portugal: C. Sampaio, M. Ferreira, C. Fernandez 4, C. Reis 1, I. Nunes 1, A. Jardim, J. Teixeira 1, M. Lousa, M. Machado, B. Pereira 1, V. Freire, A. Rodrigues, B. Cavaleiro
Portugal managed to edge past Malta today with a 6-4 win. The very low scoring game was a tight affair, and cagey given both sides lost yesterday. Portugal went 2-0 up in the first period thanks to two goals from Fernandes, but Malta clawed their way back. The match was level towards the end of the 4th period at 4-4, but a goal from Catarina Lopes Reis was the winner, before Ines Nunes made sure the result was certain, with a conversion 15 seconds from time. Neither team will qualify for the Euro’s main tournament, but the game was exciting as a spectacle.
Standings
- Israel – 2 – 6pts
- France – 2 – 3pts
- Portugal – 2 – 3pts
- Malta – 2 – 0pts
