Sweden and Georgia first to elite round

Sweden beat Georgia 2-0 in their final UEFA European Under-17 Champions qualifying round Group 8 fixture to ensure both went through.

Georgia secured progress to the elite round for the fourth year running with a game to spare by beating Bulgaria 3-2 and hosts Moldova 2-1 in their first two fixtures. Sweden had overcome Moldova 3-0 but, after a goalless draw with Bulgaria, still needed to avoid defeat against Georgia to make sure they too would compete for a finals place in March; second-half goals from Marcus Haglind Sangre and Christian Kouakou ensured Magnus Vikman's side took first position.

Bulgaria actually scored first against Georgia through Stivan Petkov but by the time he added his second, Chiaber Chechelashvili had converted a penalty and Nika Akhvlediani and Giorgi Papunashvili had also struck for Vasil Maisuradze's side. Andrei Gherman's 31st-minute own goal set Sweden on their way against Moldova with Kristoffer Olsson and Kouakou striking either side of half-time.

The draw between Sweden and Bulgaria allowed Georgia to clinch their berth in the elite round draw on 29 November, Chechelashvili's penalty on 34 minutes added to before the break by Nika Tchanturia. Bulgaria still had hope of catching Sweden on the last day but although Petkov and Nikola Kolev gave them a 2-0 win against Moldova they will have to hope instead for progression as one of the two third-placed sides in the 13 groups with the best record against the leading pair in their section.