Sweden and Greece pip Ukraine
Tuesday, September 30, 2014
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Sweden and Greece took the top two places in qualifying round Group 5 in Latvia while, after three 0-0 draws, Ukraine may yet also make the elite round.
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Sweden and Greece took the top two places in UEFA European Under-17 Championship qualifying round Group 5 in Latvia while, after three 0-0 draws, Ukraine may also make the elite round.
- In the opening game Ukraine held Greece 0-0 despite Evangelos Pavlidis hitting the post and forcing a great save Vadym Shevchuk.
- Sweden, coached by Roland Nilsson, overcame Latvia 2-1, Moustafa Zeidan striking from outside the area to open the scoring.
- Latvia's impressive Daņiils Hvoiņickis levelled, but substitute Isac Lidberg secured victory with eight minutes left.
- Ukraine had another 0-0 draw two days later against Latvia despite Sergii Kosovskyi rattling the crossbar.
- It was also 0-0 on Saturday between Sweden and Greece, Theodoros Mingos coming close twice in the first half and Pavlidis denied one-on-one.
- Ukraine made it three 0-0 draws in their final match against Sweden, who knew a point would be enough and defended stoutly.
- Greece joined Sweden in progressing, in second spot, by beating Latvia 1-0.
- Nils Toms Puriņš failed to control a 17th-minute back-pass and was punished by Dimitris Limnios.
- Ukraine could still advance as one of the five third-placed teams with the best record against the top two across the 13 groups.
Through to elite round
Group 1: Republic of Ireland, Scotland
Group 5: Sweden, Greece
Group 6: Portugal, Slovenia
Bye: Germany
TBC: 25 more
Draw: 10.40CET, 3 December, involving 32 sides, of whom 15 will join Bulgaria in the finals.