Italy and Sweden advance to elite round

Italy and Sweden, who met on the final day of action, are through to the UEFA European Under-17 Championship elite round after filling the top two berths in qualifying round Group 2, played in rainy conditions.

Going into their last-day fixture, Italy and Sweden were three points ahead of Ukraine and Lithuania. The Azzurrini duly rubber-stamped top spot courtesy of a 3-0 win against Magnus Wikman's side, Giuseppe Panico, Manuel Locatelli, thanks to a deflection, and Federico Caronte, his first touch after coing off the bench, with the goals.

Defeat mattered not for Sweden, however, with Ukraine and Lithuania cancelling each other out with a 1-1 draw to finish third and fourth respectively. However Ukraine, who took the lead in the first minute through Rostyslav Taranukha heading in Oleksandr Pikhalonok's free-kick only for their goalkeeper Dmytro Fastov to turn in a Klaidas Janonis set-piece before half-time to deny them the win, could still go through as the third-placed side with best record against the top two in their group.

On the opening day there was little to choose between Italy and Ukraine but two superb Panico efforts ensured Bruno Tedino's team of a 2-1 win. Sweden overcame Lithuania 3-0 with ease, dominating possession with two-goal Tshutshu Tshakasua outstanding. Arvydas Miklovis did head on to a post for mini-tournament hosts Lithuania but they were unable to find a breakthrough.

Two days later, Italy drew 0-0 with Lithuania, the home side showing spirit in wet conditions. Aurimas Jurgelevičius drove from box to box to keep Italy busy despite Simone Minelli's superb second-half display in midfield. Sweden's game with Ukraine was postponed 24 hours but also ended goalless.