The second semi-final of this summer's UEFA European Under-19 Championship, on Tuesday, pits together favourites France Under-19s and outsiders Israel Under-19s in the Slovakian town of Dunajska Streda.
While Les Bleuets won each of their three Group A games to cruise into the final four, their unfancied opponents edged through as Group B runners-up after losing to England at the weekend.
Match preview
As an impressive group phase came to its conclusion for France on Friday, they cantered through to the semi-finals with a 4-1 win over closest rivals Italy.
Completing a clean sweep, following previous victories over hosts Slovakia (5-0) and Romania (2-1), Landry Chauvin's side overcame the early setback of conceding to a much-changed Azzurrini outfit and recovered to record a 4-1 win - thanks in part to a brace from forward Loum Tchaouna, the tournament's top scorer with four goals so far.
Les Bleuets remain in the southern town of Dunajska Streda this week, as they aim for a place in Friday's final, to be contested at Trnava's Stadion Antona Malatinskeho.
Making their nation's 11th appearance at this stage of the championships, France's current crop have so far registered 11 goals and conceded only twice, and a record of nine wins from their last 10 matches demonstrates the talent available to former Nantes manager Chauvin.
While France lost on the two most recent occasions they reached the semis, in both 2018 and 2019, they have gone on to lift the trophy on three of the four occasions they made it through: in 2005, 2010 and 2016 - the latter team featuring the exceptional gifts of Kylian Mbappe.
Having reached the knockout stage in style, the pre-tournament favourites now encounter an unlikely obstacle, in the shape of an Israel side that can cause plenty of problems on the counter.
The Israelis eliminated Austria last week with an entertaining 4-2 victory, and despite losing to England's Young Lions on Saturday, have also qualified for next year's Under-20 World Cup in Indonesia by virtue of finishing second in Group B.
That 1-0 defeat at the hands of an unfamiliar English lineup saw their unbeaten streak ended at eight games, during a period in which they have defied expectations against Europe's elite.
A pair of friendly draws with France earlier this month proved Ofir Haim's side could prosper at this level, and they now reconvene with their French counterparts having already surpassed their nation's best-ever result in the Under-19 Euros.
As a group stage exit back in 2014 was Israel's previous best, Haim's callow squad have already broken new ground, but they will now be keen for the journey to take in one more stop at the end of the week.
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Team News
Having rotated his way through each one of his players already, and as an advocate of flexible formations, Landry Chauvin even toyed with the idea of switching to three at the back against Italy before changing his mind, so his France team on Tuesday will not be easily predictable.
Versatile forward Alan Virginius netted five goals from 31 appearances for Ligue 2 club Sochaux last season, while Parma striker Ange-Yoan Bonny bagged a double on the Euros' opening day, and both could start in a front three also featuring top scorer Loum Tchaouna.
Ousmane Camara is set to captain the team from central defence, with Tottenham's Thimothee Lo-Tutala returning in goal.
Meanwhile, Israel's team is a more settled one, which coach Ofir Haim generally sets up in a 4-2-3-1 formation.
His squad is staffed by home-based players, and top scorer in qualifying Dor Turgeman leads the line up front, with Maccabi Tel Aviv's Oscar Gloukh providing a threat from behind - the latter has two goals in the tournament so far.
While most of the side picks itself, given a relative lack of strength in depth, there will be a duel for selection in goal between Lior Gliklich - who played the opening game and was subsequently dropped - and Tomer Tzarfati.
France Under-19s possible starting lineup:
Lo-Tutala; Pereira, Camara, Doukoure, Hadjam; Adeline, Da Silva, Diouf; Virginius, Bonny, Tchaouna
Israel Under-19s possible starting lineup:
Gliklich; Feingold, Lemkin, Israelov, Revivo; Kancepolsky, Madmon; Abed, Gloukh, Lugassy; Turgeman
We say: France Under-19s 2-0 Israel Under-19s
As they have momentum, more substantial club experience, and far greater squad depth in their favour, France should ease their way through to Friday's final. Israel may hold firm for the first half, or longer, but eventually Les Bleuets' class should show.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Top tip
Jonathan O'Shea
