Free-scoring France cruise to qualification

France beat Hungary to top spot in UEFA European Women's Under-17 Championship first qualifying round Group 3 after a final-day decider in Lithuania.

At kick-off, France had a two-point lead over their opponents and made no mistakes as they swept aside Tamás Hevesi's team to go into the 20 November second qualifying round draw. Hungary took second place on goal difference ahead of Bosnia and Herzegovina, who defeated Lithuania 5-0, but they are unable to progress as one of the five best runners-up.

Hungary were on top after the first day thanks to a 9-0 defeat of Lithuania, Zsanett Bernadett Kaján getting a hat-trick. France, runners-up for the last two seasons, overcame Bosnia and Herzegovina 5-0, Valérie Gauvin striking twice.

Two days later France moved to the summit by scoring 12 without reply against Lithuania, eight different players on target including two more for Gauvin. Hungary, however, were held 3-3 by Bosnia and Herzegovina, who were 2-0 up after 19 minutes through Melisa Zukić and Jelena Koprena. Kaján and Fanni Diószegi levelled by the break and while substitute Selma Kapetanović restored Bosnia and Herzegovina's lead four minutes from time, Hungary captain Evelin Fenyvesi ended their opponents' hopes with a last-gasp equaliser.

Hungary had to win on the final day to pip France to top spot, but Justine Rougemont and Marie-Charlotte Léger scored in the first 21 minutes to end any hopes of a shock. Gauvin, with a hat-trick, then rubber-stamped progress for her side, who ended the group having scored 22 goals and conceded none.