Kestenbaum completes the Italian job for Team GB
FOOTBALL JONNY Rose believes Team Maccabi GB have one foot in the semi-finals after a deadly double from Yoav Kestenbaum helped them come from behind to beat Italy 4-1 at the European Maccabi Games in Berlin.
The defending champions got off to the worst possible start when Italy forged ahead inside the first couple of minutes as keeper Ross Weinrabe was beaten by a free-kick that curled in off the post.
Having hit the woodwork in the first half, Louie Basso equalised five minutes into the second half with a superb diving header. GB were in the ascend-
Roie Spitzer starred against Italy ency just a minute later as Kestenbaum showed great composure to drill a low shot past the goalkeeper.
GB were in dreamland 20 minutes later when Wingate & Finchley’s Joe Sharpe curled a delicious inswinging corner straight into the goal. But the final word went to Kestenbaum who tapped home from close range to spark wild celebrations.
GB boss Jonny Rose said: “We started slowly again but I felt the changes at half-time helped and we started to get the ball down and play our football. We did what we’re good at and it was plain sailing after the two quickfire goals.”
Italy’s misery was compounded by two late cards, which Rose said “sur- prised” him. “The wheels really fell off for them at the end, they lost their heads.”
Ahead of Friday’s final group game against Switzerland, Rose said: “Everyone in the squad has had some gametime so there’s no pressure to select particular players. We made seven changes to the line-up and you can see we have a strong squad.
“We’re going into the Switzerland game to win and to score goals.”
GB drew their first match 2-2 against France through strikes from Jordan Nathan and Alex Moss.
Elsewhere, Russell Snipper won bronze in the Singles event in the Ten Pin Bowling competition.