Luzon names Israel squad for home finals

Exactly two weeks before the start of the UEFA European Under-21 Championship, hosts Israel have named their 23-man squad.

Real Racing Club midfielder Gai Assulin is coach Guy Luzon's most notable omission, though Maccabi Tel-Aviv FC midfielders Dor Micha and Moshe Lugassi have also missed the cut. "This is a hard day for me," said Luzon. "The players who have not been called up are very talented with tremendous spirit. They are still part of the Under-21 family."

Israel begin this summer's finals against Norway in Netanya on the opening day of the tournament, Wednesday 5 June. They also take on Italy (8 June) and England (11 June) in Group A.

Israel squad
Goalkeepers: Boris Kleyman (Hapoel Tel-Aviv FC), Arie Yanko (Hakoah Maccabi Amidar Ramat Gan FC), Barak Levi (Maccabi Tel-Aviv FC).

Defenders: Ofir Davidzade (Hapoel Beer Sheva FC), Ben Vahaba (Hapoel Beer Sheva FC), Ahad Azam (Hapoel Haifa FC), Edi Gotlib (Hapoel Akko FC), Omri Ben Harush (Maccabi Netanya FC), Ido Levi (Maccabi Netanya FC), Taleb Twatha (Maccabi Haifa FC), Eliazer Dasa (Beitar Jerusalem FC), Ofer Verta (FC Ashdod).

Midfielders: Ofir Krieff (Beitar Jerusalem FC), Nir Biton (FC Ashdod), Marouan Kabah (Maccabi Petach-Tikva FC), Eyal Golasa (Maccabi Haifa FC), Omri Altman (Fulham FC), Sintayehu Sallalich (Hapoel Kiryat Shmona FC), Israel Zaguri (Hapoel Ramat Gan FC).

Forwards: Orr Barouch (Bnei Yehuda Tel-Aviv FC), Mohammed Kalibat (Bnei Sakhnin FC), Alon Turgeman (Maccabi Haifa FC), Moanes Dabour (Maccabi Tel-Aviv FC).