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Itay Shechter

Kevin Trapp started for Germany against Cyprus and completed the 90 minutes. Schalke’s Lewis Holtby opened the scoring on nine minutes and completed his brace before half-time. Mestoras Mitidis pulled one back, but Daniel Didavi (1. FC Nürnberg) and Julian Draxler (FC Schalke 04) netted for Germany to seal the 4-1 win over Cyprus in Karlsruhe on Tuesday, August 9.

Israel took on Ivory Coast in Geneva on Wednesday, August 10. The Africans were three goals ahead after 60 minutes thanks to goals from Yaya Tore, Didier Ya Konan (Hanover 96) and Moussa Kone. FCK striker Itay Shechter reduced the arrears before his team-mate Meor Melikson scored the goal to close the gap. However, Didier Drogba netted from the penalty spot to restore Ivory Coast’s two-goal lead. Melkison added his second and Israel’s third goal of the night as the game ended in a 3-4 defeat for Shechter and his fellow countrymen.

The friendly game between Croatia and Ireland ended in a goalless draw. FCK winger Ivo Ilicevic came on in the 64th minute. Elsewhere, Greece and Bosnia Herzegovina drew 0-0. Thanos Petsos did not pull on national colors on Wednesday evening. Kostas Fortounis represented his country at Under-21 level in Greece’s European Championship qualifying game against Belarus. Greece lost 2-3 to Belarus. Leon Jessen, who had been named in Denmark’s preliminary squad for the game against Scotland, wasn’t part of the final squad.