10.10.2002,
Israel start her campaign for the Euro 2004 in away match against Malta the weakest side in the group, so a win is something Avraham Grant and his players must gain!

Haim Revivo, want to bring some life("haim" in Hebrew) to Israel

Israel comes to the match with all of their big names in the squad, Eyal Berkovic, Haim Revivo and Yossi Benayoun. With this old names Israel has to get a win in order to keep their chances of qualify alive. It doesn’t matter where you play against Malta it is a must win situation. In Thursday Israel flow to Malta with 20 players in the squad.
Grant ruled out of the 24 squad 3 names, Ilan Bahar the right winger from Racing Santander, Avi Tikva the attacking defender from Young Boys Bern and Abed Rabah from Hapoel Petach Tikva. Avi Nimni didn’t go to Malta due to an injury. But Grant doesn’t have some starting lineup players like Shimon Gershon from Hapoel Tel Aviv and Alon Harazi the right defender from Maccabi Haifa. Grant gave to the under 23 team, Ben-Haim and Biton from Maccabi Tel Aviv and Yaniv Katan from Maccabi Haifa that meanwhile got injured. Igal Antebi will make his debut if he will play, after a long time he couldn’t be at the national team because he got out of the army. Avishei Zanu is back to the team after a long time, also Asi Dumb is in the squad after a long period thanks to Gadi Brumer's injury. Avi Strul the center and right defender is the biggest surprise at Grant's squad.

Grant's tactical formation is still ambiguous. He might open with 3 or 2 center defenders. If there will be only two we will see both Benado and Dumb. But if he prefers 3 in the back we might see Kessi the left defender go to the center with Benado and Dumb, in that case Antebi will play as left defender or Michael Zandberg that usually play in the left attacking midfield. If Kessi will stay at the left we will see Avi Strul with Benado and Dumb.
In the midfield we may find the same faces we used to see. Banin and Badir will play in defensive midfield. Haim Revivo and Eyal Berkovic will be the main men in the attacking midfield. If Grant will go on 5 midfielders, Idan Tal from Rayo Valacano or Abuksis will start with Revivo in the midfield while Odi, Afek or Balili will play as the only striker. If Grant will use only 4 midfielders, Revivo might start as an only striker.
Israel had some good results recently when they beat Lithuania 4-2 and Luxembourg 5-0. Both of the wins came away from Israel. Until now no one knows if Israel could play at home due to all the security problems in Israel with the Palestinians. Cyprus game that should have taken place this Wednesday is postponed due to the same cause.

At the other end of Malta we can't expect much, the Malta's has some squad problems but yet all they want is a draw that will help them to keep the good form they has now. The 3-0 loss to Slovenia didn’t made some bad times, Malta played quite good and the own goal in the 37^th minute killed there match. Before that loss they beat Jordan, Moldavia and Azarbejan. They new era at the small team came when Zigi Heler the German took charge. Heler played in the World Cup final of 1966 in England. Zigi's hopes are no more then good football and 3-4 points in this campaign. A draw with Israel at home will be a big achievement to Malta.
Heler has will lack Stephan Giliu that got a red card in the match against Slovenia. But his team looks very nice, after his goalkeeper Moskat recovered from his injury.

Berkovic to win 3-0 like Liverpool and Murphy beat Manchester City

Players to watch:
Malta: Michael Mipsod: The striker from Kaiserslautren is the best player in Malta and the goal scoring job will be under his hands. The question is can he do it?
Israel: Yossi Benayoun: The star of the next generation is still unsettled at Racing Santander. A goal or two in this fixture might give a better spot in Racing where his sits on the bench too much. Remember that Benayoun isn't a starter even in Grant's team, so if Israel will struggle he would have to bring the change.

Starting Lineup:
Malta(4-4-2): Moskat; Said, Chatkoti, Dimas, Karabot; Brinket, Ajiyos, Terner, Novoko; M.Mipsod, A.Mipsod.
Israel(4-5-1): Awate; Zanu, Benado, Dumb, Kessi; Banin, Badir, Tal, Berkovic, Revivo; Afek.

What do I think? Well, Israel should win this clash. The team spirit is better so I believe a 3-0 will be the score at the end (although when I say it Israel will suffer a loss, Merfi low!). Revivo, Afek and Benayoun will be written on the score mark.

DiD U Know: Last time Israel played against Malta in Malta Israel won 2-1, it was in 11.01.1989, Moshe Sinay(coach of Under 23) and Eli Drix scored both goals.

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