Ukraine jump out of the blocks

Hosts Ukraine got their UEFA European Under-19 Championship elite round campaign off to a winning start after defeating Bosnia-Herzegovina 4-1 in Borodyanka.

Captain Ihor Chaykovskiy scored two first-half goals as Ukraine joined England on three points at the top of Group 3. Although Dalibor Pandža got one back for Bosnia-Herzegovina, Igor Zubko and Sergii Sydorchuk struck after the break to put the seal on an impressive opening success.

Ukraine took control in the tenth minute when Yevgeny Zadoya's low right-wing cross was met first time by Chaykovskiy who guided the ball into the top corner. The midfield anchor man then made it two in the 43rd minute, slotting in from the penalty spot after Ivan Mršić had brought down Volodymyr Koval. Zoran Bubalo's men went into the break just one adrift, though, when Pandža scored at the second attempt after first being denied by goalkeeper Igor Lenchenko.

The two-goal cushion was restored in the 56th minute when Yevgen Pavlov headed into the path of Zubko, who broke into the area and fired past Tino Divković. Sydorchuk then added a fourth with 18 minutes remaining, reacting quickest after Koval's corner had caused a scramble in the box. It was the least Anatoliy Buznik's team deserved after a sharp performance in front of their fans and they now meet the Republic of Ireland on Friday looking to make it two from two.