Spain run rampant in Romania

Denied a third straight UEFA European Under-17 Championship title last season, Spain began their bid to reclaim the crown by winning qualifying round Group 2 ahead of hosts Romania.

Spain on top
Spain and Romania clinched their Elite round places with a match to spare after defeating Lithuania and the Faroe Islands. Spain, coached by Aitor Karanka while Ginés Meléndez prepares last season's squad for the forthcoming FIFA U-17 World Cup in Nigeria, then overcame Romania 4-1 for third place.

Duo through
Romania opened with a 1-0 defeat of Lithuania, Denis Muscă's first-minute goal winning the match. Spain defeated the Faroe Islands 6-0, Paco's opener added to by a Suso hat-trick and two from Juan Miguel. They followed that up by beating Lithuania 9-1, Paco and Juan Bernat both scoring three. Their progress, and Romania's, was secure as the hosts beat the Faroe Islands 4-0 thanks to goals from Cristian Gavra, Bogdan Vătăjelu, Alin Petrea and substitute Alexandru Băluţă.

Ortí double
In the group decider, Suso gave Spain a tenth-minute lead and Rafa made it 2-0 before the break. Rafael Stănescu missed a penalty for Romania and substitute Jorge Ortí extended Spain's lead. Although Vătăjelu pulled one back, Ortí struck again with eight minutes left, but both Spain and Romania will compete for finals places in March, going into the Elite round draw on 9 December. Lithuania beat the Faroe Islands 3-2 for third place but cannot go through.