Israel failed to take advantage of playing at home in the Federation Cup European Group qualifiers in Eilat, as they missed out on a place in the World Group playoffs.

Defeats against Britain and Portugal meant that a victory over Holland counted for nothing.

In the final tie against Britain, Israel lost 3-0, failing to win a single set, as Shahar Peer (37) let the home fans down losing 4-6, 3-6 to Elena Baltacha (57) and Julia Glushko (211) lost 2-6, 1-6 to Anne Keothavong (88). Keren Mor and Glushko lost the meaningless doubles 1-6, 2-6 to Laura Robson and Heather Watson.

The writing had been on the wall the previous day when Israel slumped to a 2-1 defeat to Portugal. Glushko put in an impressive performance to beat Maria Koehler 6-2, 6-4 in the opening rubber, but then Peer was well beaten by Michelle Larcher de Brito, ranked 99 places below her at 136. Peer and Glushko lost the doubles to the Portuguese duo losing 4-6 in the third set.

Israel finished ninth in the 15 team tournament, while Britain beat Austria in the semi-finals to win a berth in the World Group playoffs.