Israel to host Andorra qualifier in Netherlands

Israel will host their first home Euro 2008 qualifying match in the Netherlands due to UEFA's ban on international matches under its jurisdiction being played in the Jewish State, the Israeli FA said.

The venue for Israel's second Group E clash will be in Nijmegen after they open their qualifying campaign on Saturday with an away fixture against Estonia in Tallinn.

A statement on the IFA's website said: "UEFA's decision that international matches should not take place in Israel until further notice has not been changed.

"Israel will host its match against Andorra in Holland. The Israel FA continues its preparations to host the match in Nijmegen."

England, Croatia, Russia and Macedonia are also in Israel's Euro 2008 qualifying group.

Last month, UEFA prevented Israeli clubs from hosting matches on home soil because of the war in the north of the country between Lebanese guerilla group Hizbollah and Israel, which ended with a ceasefire on August 14.

Israeli clubs have also been affected by the ban with no qualifying matches in the Champions League or UEFA Cup being played in Israel.

The ruling means Maccabi Haifa and Hapoel Tel Aviv have to host their respective UEFA Cup first round opponents, Litex Lovech of Bulgaria and Russian side Odessa, at neutral venues.

During the 34-day conflict, the guerrilla group fired some 4,000 rockets into Israel, one of which fell next to Maccabi Haifa's stadium.

International soccer returned to Israel in April 2004 after a 25-month ban due to the worsening security situation in the country. Matches can only be played in the Tel Aviv area.

Between March 2002 and April 2004 Israeli clubs and teams were forced to host opponents at a number of European venues including Bulgaria, Cyprus, Italy, Netherlands and Turkey.