Israel to host U21 Euros in 2013
UEFA's Executive Committee votes for Jewish state's bid ahead of Bulgaria, Czech Republic, England and Wales
The Union of European Football Associations followed the International Federation of Association Football's lead by awarding a flagship tournament to the Middle East on Thursday when they named Israel as the host nation for the 2013 European Under-21 Championship.
The decision of European soccer’s governing body follows that of the world governing body last month to award the 2022 World Cup finals to Qatar.
England, Bulgaria, Wales and the Czech Republic were also bidding to stage the Under-21 tournament, UEFA’s premier age-group competition.
The decision by the UEFA executive committee represented the second snub for England following their failure to win the right to stage the 2018 World Cup finals which FIFA awarded
Israel's victory comes after it was edged by Denmark in the contest to host the 2011 edition.
Compensation for that defeat was offered when UEFA selected Tel Aviv to host its annual congress of 53 football nations in 2010.
UEFA says the draw for the qualifying tournament will be made next Thursday at its headquarters in Nyon, Switzerland.
Reuters and The Associated Press contributed to this report
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