ICC Europe/CricketEurope

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Germany made sure of their place in the semi-finals at Rastignano on Tuesday afternoon, beating Israel by five wickets in a low-scoring game.

Leonhard Gerhards soon had the Israelis in trouble after they won the toss and elected to bat, bowling both openers by the time 13 runs were on the board, but Levi Kamarlekar (36) and Daniel Bergman (35) put on 47 in a valuable fourth-wicket stand.

Twelve-year-old Chase Edwards was the star of the German attack, dismissing Bergman and Micha Schachat with successive deliveries on his way to figures of four for 34, and none of the later Israeli batsmen were able to reach double figures as the side was bowled out for 127 in the 33rd over.

Nabeel Malik led the way in Germany’s reply with a solid 40, and by the time he was third out, trapped in front by Roni Vituli, the total had reached 103 and only another 25 were needed.

But the Israelis battled all the way, Vituli taking three for 28 and Roi Shpritzer bowling a tight five-over spell in which he conceded only 14 runs, and when the Germans were on 108 for five a reversal of fortunes briefly seemed on the cards.

Krishna Cholleti stayed calm in the crisis, however, and together with Christian Hein he saw his side home and into Thursday’s semi-final without any further alarms.

After their heavy defeat by Belgium on the opening day, Germany have done well to come back with wins over Switzerland and Israel, but they will need to improve further when they take on the Isle of Man at Rastignano on Thursday.