Israel without Schechter for Georgia trip

Georgia's first home fixture in UEFA EURO 2012 qualifying Group F will also be their first competitive encounter with Israel after four friendly matches between the sides.

Team news
• Georgia earned a 1-1 draw in Greece as Temuri Ketsbaia returned to the country where he spent some of his playing career. "The match was very tight but that's not a surprise for me," said the Georgia coach. "I knew Greek football well so it was easy to tell the players what to expect. Even though we led and only got a draw, I am happy to have this result as we now look forward to meeting Israel."

• Georgia squad
Goalkeepers: Nukri Revishvili (FC Anzhi Makhachkala), Giorgi Loria (FC Dinamo Tbilisi), Grigol Bediashvili (FC Olimpi Rustavi)
Defenders: Kakhaber Kaladze (AC Milan), Malhaz Asatiani (FC Lokomotiv Moskva), Aleksandr Amisulashvili (Kayserispor), Lasha Salukvadze (FC Rubin Kazan), David Kvirkvelia (FC Rubin Kazan), Ucha Libzhanidze (FC Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk), Mate Gvinianidze (TSV 1860 München)
Midfielders: Levan Kobiashvili (Hertha BSC Berlin), Zurab Khizanishvili (Blackburn Rovers FC), Gogita Gogua (FC Spartak Nalchik), Jano Ananidze (FC Spartak Moskva), Giorgi Merebashvili (FK Vojvodina), Aleksandr Koshkadze (FC Dinamo Tbilisi), Tornike Aptsiauri (FC Zestafoni)
Forwards: Vladimir Dvalishvili (Maccabi Haifa FC), Aleksandr Iashvili (Karlsruher SC), David Siradze (FC Spartak Nalchik), Nikoloz Gelashvili (FC Zestafoni)

• Hapoel Tel-Aviv FC striker Etey Schechter was forced to withdraw from the squad that travelled to Tbilisi after a scan revealed a minor hamstring tear which will keep him out for around ten days. However, club team-mate Avihai Yadin is available again having been suspended for Thursday's 3-1 win against Malta. "It was a great result for Georgia [against Greece] which will put them on a high against us and give them a massive lift," said Israel coach Luis Fernández. "Their own fans will also back them up without a doubt."

• Israel squad
Goalkeepers: Dudu Aouate (RCD Mallorca), Ohad Levita (RKC Waalwijk), Dudu Goresh (Hapoel Akko FC)
Defenders: Tal Ben Haim (West Ham United FC), Dekel Keinan (Blackpool FC), Yoav Ziv (Maccabi Tel-Aviv FC), Dedi Ben Dayan (Hapoel Tel-Aviv FC), Dani Bondar (Hapoel Tel-Aviv FC)
Midfielders: Yossi Benayoun (Chelsea FC), Tamir Cohen (Bolton Wanderers FC), Almog Cohen (1. FC Nürnburg), Biram Kayal (Celtic FC), Avihai Yadin (Hapoel Tel-Aviv FC), Eran Zahavi (Hapoel Tel-Aviv FC), Gil Vermouth (Hapoel Tel-Aviv FC), Eyal Golasa (Maccabi Haifa FC), Lior Rafaelov (Maccabi Haifa FC), Maor Melikson (Hapoel Beer-Sheva FC)
Forwards: Shlomi Arbeitman (KAA Gent), Etey Schechter (Hapoel Tel-Aviv FC), Ben Sahar (Hapoel Tel-Aviv FC), Yuval Avidor (Maccabi Tel-Aviv) FC, Eliran Atar (Maccabi Tel-Aviv FC)

Match background
• Georgia have faced Israel four times in total, with their record reading W1 D1 L2 (W1 D0 L1 at home).

• Both their previous home meetings were also held in Tbilisi, starting with a 3-2 victory for Georgia on 24 April 2001. The hosts nonetheless lost the most recent outing as Israel collected a 1-0 success on 27 May 2004.

• The first fixture between the teams took place in Ashdod on 23 February 1994, when Israel claimed a 2-0 win. The two sides then drew 1-1 in Tel Aviv on 29 March 2000.