Seven points spells success

Israel and mini-tournament hosts Scotland remained unbeaten to finish first and second in Group 5 and move through to the Elite round of the 2004/05 UEFA European Under-17 Championship.

Scoring success
Avraham Bahar's Israeli side won the section on goals scored after both sides had finished on seven points, having scored eight goals and conceded five compared to Scotland's record of four for, one against. Norway finished third with three points, while the Faroe Islands propped up the section after losing all three games.

Decisive spell
Israel began promisingly at Recreation Park in Alloa, defeating the Faroese 4-2 in an entertaining contest. Avraham Rikan, Maor Bar Buzaglo and Bebars Natcho all found the net in a nine-minute spell shortly before half-time, and when David Bitan made it 4-0 two minutes after the restart, the Faroes's prospects looked bleak. However, strikes from Petur Jorgensen and Kristoffur Jacobbsen restored some respectability to the scoreline.  

Glass glee
At Falkirk, meanwhile, Matthew Glass's 20th-minute strike proved enough for Scotland to defeat Norway and join Israel on three points at the head of the standings.

Five-goal thriller
Israel's second game, against Norway at Ochilview Park in Stenhousemuir, was another thrilling encounter as Steffen Mathisen gave the Scandinavian side the lead from the penalty spot in the fifth minute. Although Bar Buzaglo equalised within three minutes, Håkon Skogseid restored Norway's lead on the quarter-hour only for Bar Buzaglo to level again with three minutes left in the first period. What proved to be the winning goal arrived four minutes into the second half, Natcho converting to give Israel three points that confirmed their qualification to the next round.

Scottish success
Ross Mathie's Scotland side also ensured their qualification with a 2-0 win against the Faroe Islands at Forthbank Stadium in Stirling, Andrew Bagshaw getting the goals in the ninth and 65th minutes.

Israeli delight
Although progress had already been assured, Scotland met Israel at Ochilview Park in the final round of matches with first place in the section at stake. The Scots looked on course to snatch it as Alan Lowing gave them a 27th-minute lead, but Natcho levelled eight minutes from time to ensure Israel went through as section winners.

Winning finale
With nothing to play for at Forthbank, the Faroese took a surprise lead against Norway as Levi Hanssen opened the scoring as early as the third minute. However, Magne Simonsen levelled on the half-hour and Jon Anders Riise turned the match in the Norwegians favour two minutes into the second half before Bård Karstensen added a third on the hour.