Sweden salvage draw to seal maiden U17 berth

Valmir Berisha came off the bench to score a minute into added time and secure Sweden a place at the UEFA European Under-17 Championship finals for the first time at the expense of Hungary.

Elite round Group 3 hosts Hungary had to win to clinch top spot and they made the perfect start when Kevin Korozmán headed in from close range after two minutes. However, with the clock ticking down, substitute Berisha plundered his fifth goal in his last three qualifying outings to send Sweden through by virtue of a superior goal difference. Meanwhile, the game between Belarus and Finland to determine third place was postponed.

On Tuesday, Sweden moved swiftly to the section summit by overcoming Belarus 4-1 courtesy of two Berisha goals. Hungary underwent a sterner examination of their resolve, twice coming from behind against Finland to prevail 3-2 thanks to Krisztofer Takács's last-gasp winner.

Two days later, Hungary swept aside Belarus 3-0. Goalkeeper Gergő Ordasi saved an Evgeni Shevchenko penalty early in the second half, before goals from Takács, Tamás Szántó and Donát Zsótér sealed a comprehensive win. As for Sweden, they tightened their grip at the top of Group 3 ahead of Sunday's dramatic conclusion as Christer Lipovac weighed in with a treble in a 5-0 defeat of Finland.