Record European champions Spain have reached the semi-finals of the U21 European Championships in Romania and Georgia.
The five-time title holder defeated Switzerland in the round of eight on Saturday 2-1 (1-1, 0-0) after extra time. It was 1-1 after 90 minutes. The Iberians will now play against Israel, who eliminated Georgia, on Wednesday (6 p.m.) for a place in the final.
Juan Miranda (103rd) scored the decisive goal in Bucharest. Sergio Gomez (68th) had put the Spaniards ahead, but Switzerland equalized through Zeki Amdouni (90th + 1).
This puts Spain on the verge of qualifying for the Olympic Games. Should France or England follow the “Toros Rojos” into the last four on Sunday, Spain would be at the Olympics in Paris next year.
U21 European Championship: Israel wins on penalties
Israel had previously reached a European Championship semi-final for the first time. Israel beat Georgia 4-3 on penalties in front of a record crowd of 44,338 spectators in Tbilisi. It was 0-0 after 120 minutes.
Israel goalkeeper Daniel Peretz saved a penalty and a Georgian attempt hit the post. The Israelis, on the other hand, converted safely.
Israel had qualified for the quarter-finals as group runners-up behind England and ahead of Germany. Georgia, who are hosting the finals with Romania already eliminated, beat Portugal, Belgium and the Netherlands in the preliminary round.
In the other quarter-finals, England will meet Portugal on Sunday (6 p.m.) and France a little later on Ukraine (9 p.m.).