Why is Israel able to qualify for the Euro Cup (2008) when the country of...

[leventcos21]

...israel is located in the Mid East? This not only goes for Euro 2008 also for the Champions league and for the Uefa Cup?

Then you have a country from Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan also in the Euro 2008. Why are these countries special to quality?

[murphs316]

Because Israel is a member of Uefa

Bit like Austraila playing in the Asian zone

[Prof L'Enfant Terrible]

European history

Because of isolation by many of its Middle Eastern neighbors, the Israel Football Association was not affiliated with any confederation between 1974 and 1994. Since 1991 Israeli clubs have been participating in European competitions and they received full UEFA membership in 1994. In 2006 World Cup qualifying, Israel finished third in European zone Group Four behind France and Switzerland despite being unbeaten in their 10 matches after four wins and six draws, and failed to qualify for the finals. Coach Avraham Grant announced his resignation on 26 October 2005. After the end of his contract he was succeeded by Dror Kashtan. The continued presence of the Israeli Football Association in UEFA was a precedent cited by Australia to justify its transfer from Oceania to the Asian Football Federation.

[Lammy]

dinna forget the eurovision song contest either now eh