Having beaten South Africa in the first round, Israel avoided the possibility of a relegation play-off despite the 3-1 defeat in the Europe-Africa Group One match.

Even without their top-ranked player Tomas Berdych (18), the Czechs were far too strong on the clay courts of Ostrava.

Jiri Vesely (65) beat Edan Leshem (265) 6-0, 6-1 in the opening rubber and when Dudi Sela (98) lost 6-3, 3-6, 1-6 to Adam Pavlasek (208), it became clear that Israel was heading for defeat.

Oliel paired up with the experienced Jonathan Erlich in the doubles but they succumbed to Vesely and Pavlasek. Oliel (569) won what was effectively a dead rubber against Vaclav Safranek (233).

But the match was a good experience for Oliel, 18. He said: “I believe that my performance here will help me in the future.

“I need to broaden the range of my game and improve my volleying.”