Israel throw England a Euro lifebelt

England now need only a draw at home to Croatia on Wednesday to secure qualification for the tournament in Switzerland and Austria next June.

 The English press Sunday agreed that Saturday evening's result in Tel Aviv has probably saved England coach Steve McLaren his job - unless England now fail at Wembley.

 McLaren himself says he is confident his side will get the result they need to end a turbulent qualifying campaign on a high.

 "What a night! Absolutely fantastic news for us all," he said after Israel beat Russia 2-1 thanks to a stoppage time goal by Omer Golan.

 "I'd like to pay tribute to Israel for the professional way they went about the job - they showed what a proud nation they are and deserve a lot of praise for their efforts." 

   England lead Russia, who play Andorra on Wednesday, by two points in Group E going into the final qualifying matches. Croatia have now secured their Euro 2008 spot thanks to Israel's win, but could still be overtaken by England at the top of the group.

 "It will be a difficult game," McClaren told the Football Association (FA) website.

 "It's back in our own hands now and we really need the whole country to get right behind the team over the next few days."

   "We've got to get the result on the pitch on Wednesday, while we really want the fans to generate another really big Wembley atmosphere - just as they did against Russia."

   England's main problem now is with injuries, with striker Michael Owen, Wayne Rooney and Emile Heskey as well as defenders John Terry and Rio Ferdinand sidelined.

 "No-one will be celebrating just yet because there is still a massive task ahead of us at Wembley but we have been thrown a lifeline that many think we do not deserve," Owen wrote in Sunday's News of the World newspaper.

 The defeat in Tel Aviv meanwhile left Russia shocked, with football federation president Vitaly Mutko saying the national team lacked a winning mentality.

 Russia's Dutch coach Guus Hiddink attempted to look on the bright side, saying his team could still qualify.

 "I believe Croatia will win at Wembley. They have the team to do so and if you dare to play at Wembley, you can win," he said.

 Hiddink had said earlier in the week he did not believe England deserved to qualify as they had lost in Croatia and Russia, but after the match he said he could not complain about bad luck.

 "It's not about luck, you must force the luck. We were close with this young team, very close. But, in the end, if you are not in the first two for qualifying, you must be quiet and not speak about luck or no luck," he said.

 However the English press agreed that fortune has favoured England.

 "Lucky England given a Euro lifeline," wrote the Sunday Times, while the Sunday Telegraph said: "England's prayers for a miracle in the Holy Land that would resurrect their Euro 2008 qualifying hopes were answered in spectacular style ..."

   England "have been granted a reprieve, but still must avoid defeat against Croatia in what should be the best atmosphere yet in the new Wembley," the Observer wrote.

 The Sunday Mirror said that "miracles do happen" and that "Houdini" McLaren had been "given a helping from two unlikely Israeli assistants" in goalscorers Elyaniv Barda and Omer Golan.

 "But qualification will not alter some stark home truths," it wrote.

 "The FA is unfit for purpose. The national team is in accelerated decline. Our golden generation still has the gleam of fools' gold."

By Henning Hoff, dpa