Georgia and Turkey edge out Poland

Unbeaten pair Georgia and hosts Turkey emerged from UEFA European Under-19 Championship qualifying round Group 9 with Poland denied on a tight final day.

Ahead of the concluding games in the last of the 12 mini-tournaments, Georgia and Turkey were a point clear of Poland with Luxembourg already eliminated. Georgia defeated Luxembourg 2-0 and clinched first place ahead of Turkey, who only needed a draw but were twice pegged back in finishing 2-2 against Poland, eliminated despite some inspirational performances by Piotr Zielinski.

Key to the group was Georgia's opening 3-1 defeat of Poland. Kacper Przybyłko did put Poland in front on 21 minutes but before half-time an own goal from goalkeeper Wojciech Pawłowski and a Giorgi Chanturia strike had turned the game. Lasha Parunashvili clinched the victory with 14 minutes left, while Turkey under new coach Tolunay Kafkas overcame Luxembourg 3-0, Andrea Deidda impressing for the Grand Duchy early on.

Poland did manage a win two days later, beating Luxembourg 2-1 as Arkadiusz Milik and Szymon Drewniak struck before substitute Antonio Luisi pulled one back eight minutes from time. But Poland remained third as the top two drew 1-1, Davit Skhirtladze's goal on the hour cancelled out by Okan Derıcı on 74 minutes shortly before team-mate Sefa Başıbüyük received a second yellow card.

Georgia were now in a strong position but took 71 minutes to break the deadlock against Luxembourg, whose goalkeeper Joé Frising put through an own goal, and Valeri Kazaishvili swiftly clinched victory. Poland needed to defeat Turkey and although Okay Yokuşlu's early penalty was cancelled out by Piotr Zieliński and Sebastian Duda made it 2-2 soon after Emre Torun had restored the lead for Kafkas's side, they were unable to find a winner and so bowed out.