Pro-Palestinian protesters greet Israeli youth national team in Italy
Several dozen locals chanted anti-Israel slogans upon the players' arrival at the arena ahead of the opening game against Greece. Delegation members and parents also encountered the protest.
The Israel youth national team opened the European Championship today, Saturday, in Trento, Italy. In the first game, which began a short while ago, the team is facing Greece. The squad aims to repeat its performance from two years ago, when it reached the semi-finals and finished in fourth place. The top five teams will secure a spot in the U-19 World Championship, to be held next year.
Upon the team's arrival at the arena in Trento, they were met by several dozen local protesters chanting slogans against Israel and in support of Palestine. Members of the delegation and the players' parents who traveled to Italy also encountered the protest.
The team, led by coach Nadav Zilberstein, was drawn into Group A. Following the match against Greece, they will face France on Sunday and Austria on Monday. In the round of 16, the Israeli group will cross with Group B, which includes Turkey, Serbia, Denmark, and Slovakia.
