Netherlands deny Russia a finals place

Russia missed out on a chance to feature at the UEFA European Under-19 Championship finals in Romania after being held to a 1-1 draw by the Netherlands in their decisive elite round Group 5 fixture in Lanzhot.

At kick-off Russia let the Czech Republic on goal difference with the Netherlands three points adrift. Roman Emelyanov cancelled out an early Netherlands lead on 53 minutes and at that point Russia were provisionally going through, but they could not force a winner and that proved crucial as the Czechs came from behind to beat Israel 2-1 with seven minutes to go.

The Netherlands, still with mathematical hopes if they and Israel both won, took the lead after 17 minutes when Adam Maher slipped the ball through for Luc Castaignos to score on the break with their only meaningful attack of the opening period. Emelyanov equalised from the penalty spot eight minutes after the break, and at that stage Russia had one foot in the finals, even more so when Israel went ahead on 72 minutes in Breclav.

But the Czechs immediately equalised and scored again in 83 minutes, meaning Russia needed another goal. Though Daev's side created plenty of chances late on, there was to be no happy ending.

"At the beginning we were nervy because of importance of the match and our players didn't show what they can really do," said Russia coach Daev. "At half-time we talked to them and made a substitution, and in the second half we began play more aggressively, created dangerous moments and finally scored from a penalty kick. But we didn't use our chances, luck was not on our side and we're all disappointed."