Slovenia hold Poland to leave Group B wide open

Slovenia still have hope of reaching the UEFA European Under-17 Championship semi-finals on home soil after a 1-1 draw against Poland, who need only a point on matchday three to ensure their own progress.

The Netherlands were held 0-0 by Belgium earlier in the day, leaving Group B wide open for all four teams. Though neither side took full advantage in Lendava, both had their moments. Poland looked to have picked up from where they left off against Belgium on Friday when Vincent Rabiega gave them an early lead, but Bian Paul Šauperl earned the hosts their first point to ensure everything is still to play for on Thursday.

Marcin Dorna's team may have been forced to ride their luck and bide their time on Friday, but here they were on the front foot from the off and ahead after ten minutes, Rabiega rifling in Patryk Stępiński's cross on the volley. Had the same player's glancing header not drifted just centimetres wide soon after, Slovenia's resolve may have been punctured for good.

As it was, though, the hosts appeared galvanised by the reprieve and drew level when Šauperl latched on to a deflected through ball, rounded the onrushing Oskar Pogorzelec and rolled into the empty net. Their tails up and the crowd buoyant, Slovenia swiftly tried to go in for the kill but Domen Črnigoj's long-range effort drifted wide.

Half-time halted the hosts' momentum, however, and it was not until the 64th minute that they carved out another opening, Črnigoj exchanging passes with Emir Dautovič before volleying over. Such a relative scare sparked Poland into life and they should have been in front themselves 60 seconds leter, but Karol Linetty could not find a way past Gregor Zabret having forced his way in behind the Slovenia defence.