The Great Britain Deaf side, coached by Wimbledon-based Chris McGinn, line up before their 5-0 away victory over Israel a fortnight ago.

McGinn’s men took a 4-1 first-leg lead to Ashkelon – earned at Fulham’s Motspur Park training ground last month – and the 2007 European Championship runners-up were never troubled in booking their flights to Denmark for this year’s competition.

An experienced line-up, selected by manager Philip Gardner, was sent to the Holy Land in order to ensure that a 4-1 lead from the first leg was maintained. After a professional build-up to the match day, the players, officials and supporters were looking forwards to taking on the Israelis in Ashkelon.

The Great Britain team lined up, with Spotswood in goal being protected by a back four of Lampert, Allen, Evans and Monksfield. The midfield was comprised of Costi and Dalziel on the wings, with Wood and Kerr performing the role of the midfield engine room at the heart of the line-up. Ailey and Captain Atkinson were selected up front, with the intention of securing the away goals needed to put the tie beyond doubt.

The initial signs from kick-off were encouraging, with GB probing the Israeli back line and the back four thwarting any Israeli attacks that came their way. Indeed, Atkinson had a chance to put the tie beyond doubt in the opening ten minutes, firing a shot in from close range which was well saved by Dahan in the Israeli goal.

The Israelis were being reduced to cynical tactics to stop the advance of Costi and Dalziel down the flanks, and from one such tackle, Costi was brought down in a dangerous position outside the box. Dalziel stepped up and curled a free kick past the outstretched hand of Dahan to give GB the lead and send them much closer to qualification for Denmark.

Despite Israeli protests, the goal stood and the match restarted. A resurgent Dalziel manoeuvred himself into position on the Israeli by-line and sent over a cross towards the far post, which was finished off by Ailey to give GB a 2-0 lead.

After the initial flurry of goals, the match settled down, with Israel continuing to probe down the flanks and GB proving to be equal to the task. The half-time whistle soon blew, with GB firmly in front and looking forwards to extending their advantage in the second half.

No changes were made at half time, and the start of the second half saw a return to the rhythms of the first, with GB dominating the majority of possession in dangerous areas and patiently defending. GB further increased their lead soon after, with Ailey's powerful run out wide, with three Israelis in pursuit, resulting in a cross swung into the area which was parried by Dahan, under pressure from Atkinson and landed at the feet of Costi, who showed composure and good technique to volley home his first international goal and GB's third of the match.

Soon after, Ailey was replaced by Jamie Clarke, with a tiring Dalziel coming off for Priestley, making his first Great Britain appearance, a minute later. The debutant from Derby impressed on his debut, with nothing getting past him. Clarke also settled quickly, taking advantage of Israel's increasing desperation to get onto the score sheet by collecting Atkinson's centre and slotting the ball in to make it 4-0, following a swift break.

With result beyond all doubt, Costi made way for Singh, with Allen moving into midfield and Lampert moving inside to centre-back to accommodate Singh at left-back.

Further opportunities soon came, with Atkinson unlucky not to be amongst the goal scorers, firing over from a good position in the box. Soon enough, however, the fifth goal came, with Spotswood's booming kicks proving to be too much for the Israeli back line. Once such ball fell at the feet of Clarke, who ran clear and hit a shot that had just enough power to cross the line after Dahan in the Israeli goal was able to get a hand onto the shot.

With the defence continuing to smother Israeli attacks, GB soon had further chances to score on the counter, with Atkinson having a goal ruled out for offside. Soon enough, the full-time whistle blew, with GB having put in a professional performance to win the match 5-0 and secure a 9-1 win on aggregate.

Credit must go to the players, officials and the small but devoted band of supporters who came to show GB their support, as well as to the Israelis, who proved to be excellent hosts off the pitch and tenacious on it.

GB will now take their place in the 2011 European Championships in Odense, where they hope to make history by lifting the trophy for the first time.

Great Britain: Spotswood, Monksfield, Evans, Allen, Lampert, Dalziel (Singh), Kerr, Wood, Costi (Priestley), Atkinson, Ailey (Clarke) Goalscorers: Dalziel, Ailey, Costi, Clarke (2)