Israel reached the last four of the European under-21 tournament when they beat hosts Georgia on penalties after their quarter-final finished 0-0 in Tbilisi on Saturday.

In a battle between two teams playing in the knock-out round of the competition for the first time, Israel won the shootout 4-3.

Goalkeeper Daniel Peretz saved one penalty, Giorgi Gagua and Saba Khvadagiani then hit a post, while all four Israelis who took penalties found the bottom left-hand corner of the net.

From open play, Israel had two great chances in the first half.

Centre forward Dor Turgeman shot wide after five minutes and Georgian goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili saved from Israeli star Oscar Gloukh after 33 minutes.

Georgia dominated the second half, but rarely threatened.

Peretz, who saved two spot kicks in Israel's opening 1-1 draw with Germany, then gave his side an advantage by diving to his right to save Gagua's tame effort.

Israel will face the winner of the quarter-final between England and Portugal in Kutaisi, Georgia, on Sunday.

In Saturday's second quarter-final Spain faced Switzerland in Bucharest.