Serbia and England exploit experience

Serbia top
The leading pair had six points after the opening two matches, ensuring their participation in the next stage in spring. Serbia, who included four players who took part in last season's U17 finals, claimed first place with a 4-1 win against England with Northern Ireland defeating Albania 2-1 for third.

U17 experience
England's squad had a similar look to the team that finished as 2007 U17 runners-up, and after Daniel Drinkwater gave them a seventh-minute lead on Matchday 1 against Albania, two of the players who took part in last year's competition in Belgium – Nathan Delfouneso and Henri Lansbury – ensured a 3-0 victory. Milan Milanović, Nemanja Milić and Danijel Aleksić secured Serbia a 3-1 win against Northern Ireland, who claimed a late consolation through Christopher Ramsey.

Pair progress
Albania and Northern Ireland had their hopes ended two days later. Serbia defeated Albania 5-0 as Slobodan Medojević and Adem Ljajić struck before the break and Nenad Krstičić added another before two late Vujadin Savić goals. England lost the 2005 U19 final at Windsor Park 3-1 to France but on their return to the Belfast venue beat Northern Ireland by the same scoreline. James Lawrie put the hosts into a third-minute lead, but just as France recovered in the decider three years ago, England fought back; Lansbury equalised on 26 minutes and converted a penalty late in the first half, Nathan Hanley sent off for his foul. Lansbury's Arsenal FC colleague Rhys Murphy confirmed victory with six minute left.

Eastwick reflects
Krstičić and Ljajić put Serbia 2-0 up after 19 minutes against England on Matchday 3 and although Victor Moses – who played at the last U19 finals in the Czech Republic in July – pulled one back, Aleksić increased the lead before the break and Aleksandar Ignjovski made it 4-1 in the second half. England coach Brian Eastwick, who handed control to Noel Blake for the final match, told theFA.com: "It was always going to be a tough game. Serbia are very strong physically, technically good and play well on the counterattack. Overall though, we're pleased to be through and that was the object of the exercise." William Kee and Eunan O'Kane scored for Northern Ireland against Albania and Bekim Balaj's consolation could not prevent a 2-1 win for the hosts.