Slovenia and Finland share Group 2 spoils
Tuesday, June 5, 2012
Article summary
Slovenia 1-1 Finland
Matic Maruško and Timi Lahti exchanged first-half goals as a meeting between two of the top three in Group 2 ended in a draw that suits neither team.
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![Timi Lahti (R) pictured here in action for HJK Helsinki shone at both ends for Finland Timi Lahti (R) pictured here in action for HJK Helsinki shone at both ends for Finland](https://editorial.uefa.com/resources/0257-0deb56c75d09-37a5dd669d3d-1000/format/wide1/timi_lahti_r_pictured_here_in_action_for_hjk_helsinki_shone_at_both_ends_for_finland.jpeg?imwidth=158)
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Slovenia extended their cushion at the top of Group 2 to four points, but second-placed Sweden were the chief beneficiaries of their 1-1 draw with Finland.
Tomaž Kavčič's Slovenia side were looking to keep the pressure on Sweden in the race for a guaranteed berth at the UEFA European Under-21 Championship but were unable to fully capitalise. It began well enough, Matic Maruško scrambling in the opener on 14 minutes, but defender Timi Lahti equalised with a predatory effort before the half-hour mark and after a frenetic, end-to-end finale, 1-1 is how it ended. Sweden, who like Finland have two games in hand on Slovenia, remain on their heels.