IDAN Tal has warned England they will be taking on an entire nation - not just a team - when they meet Israel in their Euro 2008 crunch clash on Saturday.
The Bolton midfielder, distraught at missing the Tel Aviv showdown through suspension, says the whole of Israel will be backing the national team in what has become a key fixture in Group E.
Tal accepts that England have the superior quality and are favourites to claim a decisive victory, but says national pride, allied to the advantage of playing in front of an intimidating capacity crowd in the unwelcoming Ramat Gan Stadium, should not be under-estimated.
"With the whole of the Israeli nation backing us, it is like having an extra man on the field. England will find the atmosphere at the stadium intimidating and it is how they prepare for this that will be critical in their preparations. Home advantage certainly helps us. Many of the top teams around the world have found it difficult to get a result at Ramat Gan and that will be a factor on Saturday.
"Believe me, when the game starts the Israeli fans will create an atmosphere that will be up there with any major event around the world.
"The Israeli public love their football and the country has been waiting since the end of the World Cup for this fixture. There will be 50,000 screaming fans in the stadium from about two to three hours before kick off, building the atmosphere and trying to make it as passionate as possible. The whole country will be euphoric in the build up to the game and for days leading up to the match the only talk will be about this game. In many ways, nothing else will matter."
Tal is cursing his luck and his timing after picking up two bookings in earlier qualifiers, which means he must sit out such a crucial fixture.
"I am bitterly disappointed to miss out," he said. "Suspensions are part of the game and it is tough. I have played in all the qualifying games up to now, but this is the one every Israeli wants to play in and it hurts not to be out on the field against England.
"I would have given up all those games just to play on Saturday.
"It is a big game for the country, but it is difficult to say that it is the biggest ever. We have played key matches before against other super powers in the game. The only difference this time is the pressure on both teams. A defeat for either Israel or England will seriously hamper qualification.
"I would go as far to say that the team who loses this match will have no chance of qualifying for Euro 2008."
The emergence of West Ham playmaker, Yossi Benayoun, and Wanderers' own top defender, Tal Ben Haim, have helped Israel climb up the world rankings and, while they may not yet be considered a major force in international football, they are no longer regarded as whipping boys in the major tournaments.
Nevertheless, Tal admits that, in talent terms, England hold all the aces.
"England have quality in every position and we will have to play above our potential to get a result," he added.
"We are wary of all their players and only a monumental effort from our players will be good enough to win. England will be in good shape for the game, because it is a must win game for them. They cannot afford to lose.
"I have to be honest and say England are a much better team than us and we know that. However, we have risen to these heights before and the coach (Dror Kashtan) will get the boys fired up to try and make it difficult for England to play a fluid game."
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