Maccabiah Games – Day 9

Over 45 Masters Football Final

Israel vs GB 1-0

A close-range volley from Laurence Swerner gave Team GB a shock lead at the Curly Krieger Stadium in Naw Sha'anan, Haifa on Tuesday evening.

The goal came from a throw in on the right with the London Maccabi Lions side-footing home from six yards.

GB were looking good with Paul Wise and David Kyte seeing long range strikes well saved by the Israel keeper.

GB stopper Gary Grant made one top-class block with his legs from a point blank shot. Minutes later he made another good save at his near post.

The day of reckoning approaches, at 5.00pm GMT on July 22.

After a shaky start Team GB have pulled out all the stops to earn a place in the battle for a Maccabiah gold medal.

Our sports editor Danny Caro will be live from Israel, updating the JC's liveblog with minute-by-minute updates from the game, as it happens.

Join him on www.thejc.com/sport for the JC's Maccabiah liveblog for commentary, atmosphere, pictures, goals, analysis and team news.

Maccabiah Games – Day 8

Open football Semi-final : Israel 0 GB 1

A first-half header from captain Sam Sloma put Team Great Britain into the final of the Open Football competition after they claimed a deserved victory over holders Israel in Nawe Sha’anan on Monday afternoon.

Playing in temperatures touching 35 degrees, Sloma met Paul Hakim’s pinpoint cross with a stooping diving header that nestled into the bottom corner.

Sloma said: “I haven’t scored a header since 2000 so it was nice to show people I can use my head as some have doubted my heading ability.

Open football Semi-final : Israel 0 GB 1 at half time

Captain marvel Sam Sloma gave Team GB a 1-0 half time lead in their Maccabiah Games Open football semi-final against Israel, which took them through to final clash with Mexico or Argentina.

Striker Paul Hakim put in an excellent cross that was met with a diving header from captain Sam Sloma to put Jonathan Kestenbaum's men in pole position against the favourites.

GB gave as good as they got in the opening exchanges of their semi-final against Israel in Nawe Sha'anan.

Open Rugby Semi-Final: Team GB 16 USA 3

A third consecutive 11-point haul from fly half Sam Katz together with a stellar defensive display steered Team GB into the gold medal match after they held off a determined effort from a strong USA team at the Wingate Institute on Sunday night.

Katz, 18, made it 33 points for the competition after holding his nerve in a pressure-cooker atmosphere.

Having beaten South Africa and Australia in the group phase, GB looked well prepared for the challenge of a big American pack.

The Junior Netball team clinched a place in the final after beating South Africa 33-16.

Goal-shooter Jessica Pinnick was the star of the show in Herzliya.

Coach Sandy Thornton said: “I’m very proud. It’s better than I could’ve expected. We’ve got stronger and stronger as the tournament has progressed.

“We trained hard at home once every six weeks. It was hard getting the squad together as some girls live in Manchester. They also had the pressure of GCSE’s.

Thanking the GB fans, she said:“We have a terrific team spirit and are going for gold.”