Benayoun back in Israel for Euro qualifier

New Arsenal signing Yossi Benayoun is back in Israel and saying he's fully focused on Friday's Euro 2012 qualifier against Group F leader Greece in Tel Aviv.

Benayoun was given permission to leave the Israel squad on Wednesday to complete a season-long loan move from London rival Chelsea.

He will captain Israel against the Greeks at humid Bloomfield Stadium, as the hosts attempt to qualify for a major international tournament for the first time since the 1970 World Cup.

Although he refused to speak to reporters on arrival at Ben Gurion Airport on Thursday, Benayoun wrote on Twitter that he was "very happy and excited" to sign with the Gunners, "but now my head is only in the game against Greece."

Benayoun leads Israel team (Archive photo: Yuval Chen)

Israel coach Luis Fernandez has had to make some last-minute adjustments, bringing in Hapoel Tel Aviv striker Toto Tamuz and Beerschot AC's Dor Malul in place of the injured Elyaniv Barda and Ben Sahar.

Despite the changes, Mallorca forward Tomer Hemed says Israel is prepared.

"We are aware of the importance of this game," Hemed said. "If we play to our abilities we can win."

History favors Greece, however. Israel has won only two of 14 internationals against the Greeks, who have won seven.

Greece also has the advantage of leading Israel in the standings.

Greece and Croatia are co-leaders with 13 points, with Israel a point behind. But Israel has played one more game than its rivals.

The group winner qualifies directly for Euro 2012 in Ukraine and Poland, while the second-place team advances to playoffs.

Israeli threat

Greece veteran Costas Katsouranis says the Euro 2004 champions want to rid themselves of Israel's threat.

"What we want is victory, but a draw wouldn't be bad," he said this week. "The Israel game is really important. The conditions are tough there ... it's so humid. It feels like someone is dragging you down when you play there."

Coach Fernando Santos last week warned his players to expect Israel to be combative.

"We must avoid any rash moves against a team that will be using one of its last opportunities to qualify," the Portuguese coach said. "The weather conditions will be tough and we have to be smart. We won't be changing our style of play. We're going to Israel to win."

Santos will be relying on two strikers from his former club PAOK Thessaloniki to deliver victory, veteran Dimitris Salpigidis and newcomer Giorgos Georgiadis. His other options up front are Celtic's Georgios Samaras and 36-year-old AEK forward Nikos Lymberopoulos.

Georgiadis is a late switch for injured striker Stefanos Athanasiadis. Midfielder Sotiris Ninis sat out training on Tuesday to rest a strained ankle.

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