Hosts Israel will be keen to secure a positive start to their European Under-21 Championship Group A campaign when they welcome Norway to the Netanya Municipal Stadium on Wednesday.

Israel have not featured in the finals of this tournament for six years, but Norway's wait has been longer, with the Under-21 outfit not progressing since 1998, although they did finish third that particular year.

Norway will also enter the match without the manager who ensured their progress after Per Joar Hansen left to take charge of Rosenborg last year. They will be led throughout the tournament by Tor Ole Skullerud, who was assistant to the departed Hansen.

Israel qualified for the competition as hosts, while Norway booked their spot after finishing second behind England in Group 8, before surprisingly overcoming France with an aggregate score of 5-4.

The clash on Wednesday will be the first time that the two countries have met at this level, but Norway have enjoyed recent youth success over Israel with a 2-0 win in the European Under-19 Championships in 2008.

Israel will head into the contest with confidence, meanwhile, following a 5-0 win over Montenegro in their last match. Norway, however, have lost two of their last five that included defeats to England and France.

The home side have no fresh injury concerns ahead of the match, with Nir Biton expected to skipper the team once more. There are also expected to be starts for Mohammed Kalibat and Moanes Dabour in attack.

Norway, meanwhile, could hand a start to highly-rated Manchester United playmaker Mats Daehli in the middle of midfield alongside Etzaz Hussain. Experienced defenders Joakim Nilsen and Amin Nouri should also add to their 11 caps.

Recent form:

Israel: LWLWW

Norway: WWLLW

Possible lineups:

Israel: Klaiman; Dasa, Davidzada, Vehava, Levy; Kabha, Biton, Golasa, Zaguri; Kalibat, Dabour

Norway: Johansen; Nilsen, Nouri, Ringstad, Wangberg; Johansen, Daehli, Ulvestad, Hussain; Stokkelien, Keita

Sports Mole says: 2-1

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