Turkey join Scotland in elite round

Scotland made an impressive start to life under new coach Richard Sbragia by progressing from UEFA European Under-17 Championship qualifying round Group 3 as section winners, while Turkey joined them in the elite round.

Former Sunderland AFC manager Sbragia took over this season after the retirement of the long-serving Ross Mathie. Victories against San Marino and mini-tournament hosts the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia booked his side an elite round place after just two games.

Turkey, champions in 2005, had been held by FYROM so still needed a point against Scotland on the last day to pip the hosts – a feat they achieved with a 1-1 final day draw. Mehmet Hacioğlu's charges led the decider at half-time thanks to Atabey Çiçek's 44th-minute goal, only for substitute Сharles Telfer to level just past the hour and secure top spot for Scotland.

Stuart Findlay's third-minute goal got Scotland going against San Marino before Lewis Kidd and Stephen Hendrie added to the score after the break. Turkey led FYROM on nine minutes through Atabey but İbrahim Aydın scored an own goal later in the first half and the game was drawn despite the hosts losing Jordancho Naumoski to a second yellow card with 15 minutes remaining.

Jamie Lindsay denied FYROM a second point with his 65th-minute winner for Scotland two days later, ensuring progress for Sbragia's team. San Marino held out for 58 minutes against Turkey, who eventually prevailed through two Atabey Çiçek goals.

FYROM finished their group campaign in style with a 5-0 defeat of San Marino, Demir Imeri and Denis Avramovski both scoring twice after Darko Velkoski's early opener, but it was not enough to pip Turkey to the runners-up berth.