Turkey out despite beating Switzerland

Turkey opened their UEFA European Under-17 Championship elite round Group 4 account but unlike Switzerland cannot now qualify.

Having started with a 2-0 defeat by section hosts Germany on Thursday, Turkey looked in danger of losing again when Massivi Tsimba gave Switzerland a 20th-minute lead. Abdullah Ercan's charges fought back, though, Kadir Ari pulling them level before Mehmet Erkut Şentürk's winner. However, even a Tuesday win against Ukraine cannot now be enough for Turkey as their margin of defeat by Germany was bigger than their win today.

Tsimba – who scored the winner in Switzerland's opening 1-0 victory against Ukraine – capitalised on a defensive lapse to give his side the lead. Turkey needed only seven minutes to draw level, Kadir combining well with İbrahim Yilmaz before applying the finish. Mirko Salvi stood firm to keep the world champions level thereafter, but was beaten with 11 minutes remaining, Mehmet finding the net from 20 metres. "We played well and deserved to win," said Ercan.

Switzerland need to reach the European finals in Serbia in May to have any chance of defending the FIFA U-17 World Cup in Mexico the following month and can still do so. But they must beat hosts Germany, three points clear, on Tuesday, and will be helped in Turkey do not beat Ukraine. Last year Switzerland defeated Germany, then European champions, in the elite round but on that occasion they were at home.