Celebrations all round in Kriens

By Andrew Haslam at Kleinfeld stadium

Hosts Switzerland and Ukraine both progressed to the semi-finals of the UEFA European Under-19 Championship after a goalless draw ensured the sides finished first and second respectively in Group A.

Semi-final tests
Having recorded victories in the second round of matches on Thursday, both sides went into the game knowing that a point would be enough to progress and so it proved, although either might have taken all three. Switzerland now meet Group B runners-up Turkey in the semi-finals on Wednesday at Fribourg's St. Léeonard stadium, with the Ukrainians facing section winners Spain at Juan A. Samaranch stadium in Lausanne the same evening.

Unchanged lineup
Switzerland coach Pierre-André Schürmann named the same side that defeated Belgium 2-0 on Thursday while, with Ukrainian captain Andriy Proshyn suspended after picking up yellow cards in each of the first two games, Oleksandr Aliyev came into midfield with Oleksandr Yatsenko also moving into the starting lineup and taking the captain's armband.

Scenic setting
The scenic ground, surrounded by towering mountains, played host to a packed crowd who witnessed an even first half shaded by Ukraine, although it was Switzerland who enjoyed the better of the early exchanges.

Perceptive pass
Veroljub Salatic's perceptive ball over the top set Sandro Burki clear in the fourth minute, but the Swiss captain was crowded out and Goran Antic failed to connect properly with his follow-up shot. Burki then went close again, shooting wide after good work down the left from Guilherme Afonso and Reto Ziegler, before Antic collected Fabrizio Zambrella's pass but shot too high.

Effort blocked
Ukraine gradually worked their way back into the match and enjoyed a spell of pressure as Aliyev collected a short corner and beat two players before crossing low to Milevskyy, who laid off to Sytnyk but the striker's shot was charged down.

Vicious strike
Pavlo Yakovenko's side went even closer seven minutes before the interval as a good passing move worked a shooting chance for Aliyev but, although the midfield player's viciously swerving long-range effort left Swiss goalkeeper Swen König rooted to the spot, it hit the underside of the crossbar and bounced clear. The Swiss goalkeeper had an easier task moments later, comfortably dealing with Sytnyk's attempt from outside the area.

Aliyev free-kick
The pattern looked set to continue immediately after the restart as König was again called into action, diving to his right to punch clear Aliyev's curling 20-metre free-kick.

Dzemaili denied
Switzerland struck back quickly, with Reto Ziegler doing well down the left and picking out Blerim Dzemaili with a low centre, but the midfield player's shot was blocked. Antic then worked space on the edge of the area but delayed a fraction too long and his effort was deflected behind.

Shust save
With torrential rain now making conditions treacherous underfoot, both teams were reluctant to commit too many men forward, although Aliyev bent another free-kick past the post while Ukraine goalkeeper Bohdan Shust had to dive to his right to keep out Ziegler's left-foot shot five minutes from time. Ultimately, however, both teams were satisfied.