Experience tells for leading pair

Israel and Switzerland, whose sides both contained several players who were involved in the 2005 UEFA European Under-17 Championship final tournament, proved their prowess at U19 level by moving into the 2006/07 Elite round.

Israeli revenge
When those nations met on the opening day of the 2005 U17 finals in Italy, Switzerland won 3-0. But launching qualifying round Group 2 in Slovenia, Israel had their revenge. Four Israelis and six Swiss remained from the previous starting lineups and one of those, Switzerland defender Remo Staubli, was sent off on 36 minutes in Kidricevo for a second booking. A man who came on at half-time in 2005, Fabio Klingler, gave Switzerland the lead on the stroke of half-time but on 77 minutes Israel substitute David Biton equalised and with three minutes left Tayacho Chekol secured a 2-1 win.

Solid Slovenia
Slovenia made a good start in Velenje as they defeated Liechtenstein 5-0. Tim Matavz and Etien Velikonja both scored in the first 17 minutes and Matavz struck again early in the second half. Rene Mihelič made it four with nine minutes left and in added time substitute Matej Vracko added to the tally.

Hosts pipped
Two days later in Ptuj, Israel stormed past Liechtenstein 6-0. In a three-minute spell early in the first half Maor Bar Buzaglo, Hen Azriel and Bebars Natcho put Israel in control and by half-time Biton and Azriel had increased the lead to five goals. Liechtenstein then held out until added time when substitute Avraham Rikan claimed Israel's sixth. The game between Switzerland and Slovenia in Maribornow had the look of a second-placed decider, and although Matavz cancelled out Eren Derdiyok's goal before half-time, Ivan Rakitic's goal 33 minutes from the end secured a 2-1 win for the Swiss.

Derdiyok hat-trick
Slovenia still had hopes of going through but need to beat Israel in Kidricevo. However, Nissim Kapiloto put Israel ahead in the 51st minute and after Slovenia's Gregor Balazic was sent off just past the hour, substitute Oshri Oash and Biton secured a 3-0 win, and first place, late on. Switzerland, despite Jonas Elmer's second-half sending-off, matched that scoreline against Liechtenstein in Velenje thanks to Derdiyok's hat-trick. Switzerland now join Israel in the Elite round draw in Nyon on 5 December.