Levantine liberation

Thank you, Israel, for beating Russia in Tel-Aviv. I may be sometimes at variance with the application of the policies pursued by the government of Israel, but its football team brought forth a huge issue of relief. Now, the Russians are in the position that in England were in, namely not in control of their own destiny. It is such a good result that England only need to draw at home with Croatia on Wednesday. Apparently, the Israeli footballers were piqued by British press reports that they wouldn't try because they had nothing to play for and/or were being bribed by rich Russians. So xenophobic derision does work as a motivator then. Even so, as one Israeli reporter put it, Israelis rather like England, from the usually political friendliness to the English Premiership/Premier League; if it had been France in England's positon, Guus Hiddink, Roman Abramovich and the Russian players could have already booked their hotels in Austria and Switzerland. Tal Ben Haim, the Israeli defender who plays for Chelsea, said that Joe Cole promised him a holiday if Israel beat Russia. He didn't know if Cole was serious, he added, but said it would be nice to find out. Okay, that's a weekend break in Bognor Regis lined up.