Slender win hauls Switzerland clear

Switzerland now boast a six-point lead at the top of 2011 UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualifying Group 2 after a slender triumph over Georgia.

Welcome stalemate
Nearest rivals Turkey and Estonia had drawn a blank earlier in the day to hand Switzerland the perfect opportunity to open up a decisive gap at the summit. It was a chance they rarely looked like seizing during an opening period largely dominated by the visitors but, with 43 minutes on the clock, Pierluigi Tami's side went in front through Mario Gavranovic. It was a lead they kept hold of to go six clear of the chasing pack ahead of the visit of Turkey in May next year.

Timely goal
They might not have been sitting so prettily had either of Irakli Klimiashvili's first-half efforts – one wide and one saved – found the back of Yann Sommer's net. The hosts rode their luck and went in front two minutes before the interval when Gavranovic received Shkelzen Gashi's pass and finished powerfully past Roin Kvaskhvadze. Gavranovic and Daniel Pavlovic went close to doubling Georgia's deficit in the second half, but a solitary goal proved enough to put Switzerland in total charge of the section, albeit having played a game more than their rivals.