Israel national American football team

The Israel national American football team is the official American football senior national team of Israel. The team formed in 2012, mainly with Israeli Football League players and coaching staff.

Israel Israel ישראל
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Home
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Left arm Body Right arm
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Association AFI
Region Europe (EFAF)
Founded 2012
IFAF Affiliation
Colors Blue and White
Head coach Yonah Mishaan
Defensive Coordinator Lewis Henry Esler Duker
General manager Neria Granevich

First game

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The first international American football game played by Israel was played on 17 May 2012 in Baptist village near Petah Tikva, when the Israel national team met Maranatha Baptist Bible College.[1] For Israeli players it was the first-ever game on a 100-yard field in an 11 player team. In the IFL, American football is played on 60-yard fields by 9 player teams (in 2012, the IFL played with 8 player teams). The game finished with a 49 - 6 Maranatha win.[2]

Current playing squad

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2015 Israel National American Football Team Playing Squad (vs Spain)
Quarterbacks

Running backs

Wide receivers

Tight ends

Offensive linemen

Defensive linemen

Linebackers

Defensive backs

Special teams

European Championship of American football

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2018 European Championship

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The first official game in EFAF competitions took place on 30 August 2015 in Madrid. The opponents were Spain from EFAF C Group European Championship. As a new entrant, Israel could earn its way into Group B.[3] Israel won the game 28–20.[4]

Israel then played in the four-team Group B European Championship in Italy in September 2016 with the winner of the four-team tournament eligible for another qualifying round against either Denmark or Sweden,[5] the sixth and fifth place of the 2014 championship respectively, to the A Championship, then planned to be held in Germany in 2018.

The Israel delegation of 45 players and 18 coaches was the largest ever Israeli delegation sent international for a single sport competition.[6]

Date Opponent Venue Final score Competition Result MVP
30 August 2015   Spain Prado de Santo Domingo, Madrid, ESP 28 - 20 EFAF European Championship Qualifier for Group B Win Dani Eastman [7]
2 September 2016   Italy Lignano Sabbiadoro, ITA 10 - 40[8] EFAF European Championship Group B Semifinal Loss
4 September 2016    Switzerland Lignano Sabbiadoro, ITA 0 - 51[9] EFAF European Championship Group B third place match Loss

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Tepper, Greg (16 May 2012). "In 'grass roots miracle,' Israel national team to play its first football game". Times of Israel.
  2. ^ "Israel's American football team debuts". Foxsports. 18 May 2012. Archived from the original on 23 May 2012. Retrieved 25 May 2012.
  3. ^ "Israel's national football team heads to Spain for first int'l showdown". Jerusalem Post. 27 August 2015. Retrieved 27 August 2015.
  4. ^ Israel's Football Team Defeats Spain in First International Game
  5. ^ Israel’s tackle football team to compete in Europe
  6. ^ Israeli football team set to take on the world
  7. ^ "Israel Beats Spain In First International Game to Qualify for IFAF Europe's Group B". American Football International. 2 September 2015. Retrieved 2 September 2015.
  8. ^ Italy Vs Israel
  9. ^ Switzerland Vs Israel