Switzerland celebrate dramatic finish

Hosts Switzerland topped UEFA European Women's Under-17 Championship first qualifying round Group 2 with a 2-1 victory against Italy clinched six minutes into added time through the runners-up are also through.

Schenkel heroics
Both teams had comfortably beaten Georgia and the Faroe Islands in their opening games, with Italy ahead on goal difference ahead of the group decider. Romana Trajkovska scored for Switzerland early in the second half and although Lisa Alborghetti levelled from the penalty spot with nine minutes left, Sarina Schenkel was brought on and struck the late winner. However, Italy will definitely also progress to the second qualifying round as one of the six runners-up in the ten groups with the best record against the sides first and third in their section. Switzerland have an extra incentive to win their group in the next round as the finals are held in Nyon.

Decisive wins
Switzerland began with a 23-0 defeat of Georgia, Chantal Fimian claiming four goals. Italy overcame the Faroe Islands 7-0, aided by Lisa Alborghetti's treble, and Switzerland matched that scoreline, Nadine Fässler managing three goals. Also on Matchday 2, Italy defeated Georgia by a competition record margin of 27-0, Erika Moretti top-scoring with six. The Faroe Islands finished third after overcoming Georgia 7-0; Ansy Sevdal and Ragna í Lambanum both struck twice.