21.8.2002,
It was a salty night in Lithuania when Israel met Lithuania in Avraham Grant's new challenge, the man who took Maccabi Haifa to two Championships in two years took charge of the Israeli national team in hope to bring some joy and success.

Afek scoring for Israel...

Grant brought some new faces to the national team and the win in Lithuania maybe wont give him the place in Euro 2004, but it is a good start. Israel without Eyal Berkovic, Avi Nimni and Tal Banin the former stars of the national team show spirit and won.

The game started with good minutes of the Lithuanians, when Pomenka scored in the 10^th minute.
10 minutes later Israel were level, Revivo found Omri Afek in front of the goalkeeper and the young star pasted the keeper and scored his first goal.
The Lithuania's were beck of top in the 32^nd minute after the Israel defense made same horrible mistakes and let Poshkos(not Puskas) score the second, 2-1 to the home team at the end of the half.
Grant made same changes in the team after the break and took Revivo off. Micheal Zandberg his replacement scored in the 49^th minute after a great ran when he pasted 2 defenders and the keeper and scored.
In the 64^th minute Kfir Odi had a shot and the Lithuanian keeper blocked the shot wrong to Afek's feet who scored.
Israel scored the 4^th with a great team work, in the end Badir found Idan Tal from Everton who scored to the exposed net. 4-2 at the End.
Grant is pleased with the second half after a horrible first half. But the defense need to be more confident if Israel want to be in the Euro 2004. Afek and Zandberg played very well and Grant should think about them in the Malta and Cyprus games that are coming.

Did U know: in 21/2/1996 Israel played against Lithuania at Ramat Gan and won with same result 4-2. Atar, Banin, Zohar and Shelach scored.

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