No sweat for Netherlands and Norway

The Netherlands and Norway were in free-scoring mood as they eased through UEFA European Under-17 Championship qualifying round Group 8 in Tallinn, with a 7-1 win against hosts Estonia proving in vain for Croatia.

Convincing win
Proof of how tough it would be for Estonia came on Matchday 1 at their national A Le Coq Arena as the Netherlands streaked to a 5-1 win. Patrick van Haanolt converted a penalty on the quarter-hour, Leroy Far scored two minutes later and Genero Zeefuik and Georginio Wijnaldum made it four before the break for the Netherlands, runners-up in 2005. Maksim Paponov pulled one back but with three minutes left Van Haanolt had the last word. Over at the Kadriog Stadium, Norway defeated 2005 semi-finalists Croatia 5-0. Amin Nouri and Lars Erik Figved struck in a three-minute spell late in the first half, and Harmet Singh, Nouri and Havard Nordtveit added to the scoreline in the second period.

Croatia bounce back
Croatia bounced back in style at the A Le Coq Arena two days later. At the half-hour mark they were goalless against Estonia but in five minutes Lovro Ščrbec scored twice and Daniel Bešić made it three. Sander Roivassepp swiftly reduced areears but Mario Sačer claimed a ten-minute hat-trick early in the second half and Bešić made it 7-1 in added time. The Netherlands moved into first place at the Kadriorg Stadium thanks to Wijnaldum's 66th-minute strike against Norway.

Decisive results
On the decisive day, Croatia could not repeat their form against the hosts when they faced the Netherlands, and were beaten 5-1. Lucianio Narsingh took six minutes to put the Dutch ahead at the Kadriorg Stadium and Ben Rienstra added another before the half-hour. Ščrbec pulled one back from the spot on 32 minutes, but Van Haanolt also converted a penalty in the 54th minute and Rienstra and Nacer Barazite confirmed first place for the Dutch. Norway will join them in the Elite round draw on 5 December as they also won 5-1 against Estonia. Maksim Paponov gave the hosts hope with a fourth-minute penalty but by the half-hour Marcus Pedersen had scored twice to turn the game. Singh added to the tally before Pederson claimed another two goals in a fine personal performance.