Israel and Spain qualify for Paris Olympics in men’s soccer because of England QF win at U21 Euros
PARIS (AP) — Israel and Spain have qualified for the men’s soccer tournament at the 2024 Paris Olympics because England won their quarterfinals game Sunday at the Under-21 European Championship.
Israel and Spain had advanced to the semifinals on Saturday at the U21 Euros, putting themselves on track to take two of the three Olympic places available to join Summer Games host France which gets direct entry.
England won 1-0 Sunday against Portugal in Kutaisi, Georgia, but is ineligible to represent Britain — the Olympic team that also includes Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales — in men’s soccer.
The England result ensured Olympic places are guaranteed for all three semifinalists at the U21 Euros which are being co-hosted by Georgia and Romania. England will play Israel on Wednesday.
The last quarterfinals game later Sunday is between France and Ukraine. If France wins, the last Olympic entry will have to be decided by a playoff game in Bucharest between the two best-ranked losing quarterfinalists.
The 16-nation Olympic lineup in men’s soccer already includes the United States and Dominican Republic, plus host France.
Israel has played national-team soccer as a member of European soccer body UEFA since the 1990s because of political and security issues with Asian Football Confederation members.
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Credit: Israel and Spain qualify for Paris Olympics in men’s soccer because of England QF win at U21 Euros
