Switzerland earn finals spot
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
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Switzerland 3-1 Hungary
Victory for the Group 6 hosts, coupled with Germany's defeat of Serbia, took Switzerland to their third straight Under-17 finals.
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Switzerland earned their place at the UEFA European Under-17 Championship with a comfortable victory against Hungary.
The elite round Group 6 hosts, world champions at this level, knew at kick-off a win would only be good enough if leaders Serbia failed to beat Germany. Two early Stjepan Vuleta goals put Switzerland on their way to victory and they then learned they had finished top on head-to-head record ahead of Germany after the holders' 4-1 defeat of Serbia.
"We deserved this victory for our performance throughout the whole tournament," Switzerland coach Heinz Moser told UEFA.com. "In the first half it was a very good performence. My team were nervous about winning in the second half. But we survived this difficult phase, fortunately. We can celebrate tonight and tomorrow we can start planning for the finals."
Vuleta had two early headers blocked but broke the deadlock on 16 minutes, turning in Alessandro Martinelli's corner. Seven minutes later he scored again from close range after finding himself clear in the box.
Hungary, who were already eliminated, had a first chance through early substitute Bence Serfőző just before the half-hour but it was 3-0 shortly after the interval when Martinelli's corner was flicked on by Numa Lavanchy and buried by Andelko Savic.
Krisztián Adorján pulled one back with a solo effort on 52 minutes but Switzerland's win, and place in the 7 April draw, was safe and they will compete across the Rhine in Liechtenstein from 18 to 30 May.