Czechs clear first hurdle

The Czech Republic reached the second qualifying round of the 2004/05 UEFA European Under-17 Championship in style, remaining unbeaten in three Group 6 matches to finish top of the section.

Two wins
The mini-tournament hosts recorded victories against Slovenia and Denmark to clinch first place in the group, with the Danes edging out neighbours Sweden to claim second position after both sides finished with four points, three less than the Czechs.

Opening draw
Augustin Chromý's Czech side began with a 1-1 draw against Sweden in Velké Pavlovice, taking the lead through Jirí Valenta's 34th-minute penalty only to be pegged back by Johan Bertilsson's equaliser early in the second half. Sweden held on for a draw despite ending the match with ten men following Tobias Larsson's late red card.

Slomšek strikes
The other game on the first matchday also ended all square, with Jure Slomšek's two goals not enough to earn Slovenia three points in Bzenec. The midfield player struck either side of half-time to turn the match on its head after Michael Vester had given the Danes a 17th-minute advantage. However, Nicklas Bendtner's goal on the hour ensured all four teams ended the first round of matches with a point apiece.

Important victories
The Czechs and the Danes took control of the section on the second matchday, with both recording wins to move within touching distance of qualification. The mini-tournament hosts ran out 3-0 winners against Slovenia in Sardice, with Milan Cerný opening the scoring in the final minute of the first half and Jan Blažek making the points safe with two goals in the final 20 minutes.

Bendtner decisive
Denmark emerged victorious in the all-Scandinavian game at Lanzhot's Na Slajsi stadium, with Bendtner's second strike in as many games four minutes past the hour proving enough to earn Denmark three important points.

Czech celebrations
That victory was ultimately to prove crucial as the Czechs maintained their unbeaten record, and ended the Danes' undefeated streak, with a 2-0 win at FC Palava Mikulov's home ground in the third and final round of matches. Two goals in eight second-half minutes from Valenta won the match, with the midfield player opening the scoring from the penalty spot in the 53rd minute and scoring his and the Czechs' second on the hour mark.

Swedish disappointment
The victory meant that Sweden's 2-0 win against Slovenia in Sardice was not enough to overhaul the Danes, with the Scandinavian side having to settle for third place while Slovenia finished bottom with a single point. Sweden's retain hopes of progression as the best third-placed side, with four of 12 groups completed.