U17 Euros coming to Israel next week
Israel is gearing up to host the 2022 UEFA Under-17 European Championship in soccer, which will kick off on May 16 featuring the best teams in Europe in a tournament that will be staged in five stadiums across the country.
Ness Ziona, Lod, Ramat Gan, Netanya and Rishon Lezion will play host to 16 teams drawn to play in four different groups. From each group, two teams will advance to the next stage.
As the host, Israel automatically qualifies for the group stage. The blue-and-white will play in Group A with Italy, Germany and Luxembourg and its first game, against Luxembourg, will take place on May 16 at Rishon Lezion.
Group B will feature France, Netherlands, Bulgaria and Poland, Group C includes Serbia, Spain, Turkey and Belgium, while Group D consists of Denmark,
Portugal, Scotland and Sweden.
After the cancellation of the European tournament in the last two years due to COVID-19, the excitement is building, as about 350 players will arrive in Israel with their team ahead of the tournament for a total of 31 official games, which will be judged by 30 international referees.
This is the third time in the past 10 years that the Israel Football Association is hosting an important and prestigious European tournament, after hosting the European Championship for under-21 men in 2013 and the European Championships for women’s national teams in 2015.
The Israel Football Association works in a close and successful cooperation with UEFA in order to provide the teams with the best conditions, and the fans with an excellent sporting experience, with tickets to the games priced at just NIS10.
“It is a great pride for the association to once again host an international football tournament with the participation of the best teams in Europe,” said Israel Football Association Chairman Oren Hasson. “Choosing Israel to host the tournament is an important message from UEFA to the State of Israel and I have no doubt that we all enjoy a great football experience at the highest levels, for the whole family. I call on everyone to come to the hosting stadiums.”
Among the other marquee games in the group stage, Germany will meet Italy in Ness Ziona, which will also host the game between Israel and Italy on May 19. The Netherlands and France will meet on May 22 for a game to be held in Rishon Lezion and on the same day Israel will host the German team in Lod.
The final match will be held at Netanya Stadium on June 1.