Stylish hosts overwhelm Albania

Serbia and Montenegro demonstrated their credentials for a place in this summer's UEFA European Under-19 Championship in devastating fashion with an emphatic victory against Albania in the opening round of fixtures, a match that featured four penalty kicks.

Early goals
Zvonko Zivkovic's mini-tournament hosts were on top from the kick-off at the SPC Hajduk stadium in Kula and took the lead in the ninth minute as FK Zemun forward Marko Markovski broke the deadlock. FK Obilic striker Borko Veselinovic doubled the lead eight minutes later, and midfield player Milan Smiljanic, who plays his club football with FK Teleoptik, made it 3-0 from the penalty spot in the 27th minute.

Two hat-tricks
The pattern continued after half-time, Veselinovic scoring his second and his team's fourth from the penalty spot four minutes after the interval, before Markovski made it five seven minutes past the hour. Mile Vangjel pulled a goal back, also from the spot, three minutes later, but Albania were then reduced to ten men as Rigest Hysko was shown a red card in an incident that led to Markovski completing his hat-trick from the spot 12 minutes from time. There was still time, however, for Veselinovic to score his third goal, and round off an impressive display from the home side, in the 84th minute.

'Great debut'
"I'm really satisfied," said Zivkovic. "We played a great first game, scored seven goals and earned three points. Now collectively we are full of self-confidence, although Albania were not favourites for the group. As Poland defeated the Republic of Ireland [1-0] today, our match against Poland on Wednesday is likely to be decisive and we must be brilliant this time." Albania play the Irish the same day.