Slovakia surge into Elite round

Slovakia sailed through to the UEFA European Under-17 Championship Elite round and they were joined by Scotland after the final day in qualifying round Group 3.

Hosts beaten
It looked good for Slovakia from Matchday 1 as they defeated hosts Scotland 4-0 in Kircaldy. Róbert Mak put them ahead in the 18th minute and just before the break Martin Klabník and Juraj Vavrík headed goals from Erik Ujlaky corners in quick succession. Mak sealed victory 12 minutes from full time. Over in Methil, Belarus overcame Liechtenstein 5-1. Vadzim Yerchyk scored twice in the first half and Aliaksei Butskevic made it three in the 52nd minute. Sandro Wolfinger pulled one back but Vitali Karostsik and Aliaksei Piatru extended the Belarussian lead.

Slovakia through
Scotland bounced back two days later as they gained an 8-0 win against Liechtenstein in Livingston. An own goal opened the scoring and Sean Fitzharris, David Love and Gordon Smith made it 4-0 at half-time. That trio were also in target in the second half along with Robert McHugh. Meanwhile, Slovakia clinched progress and first place with a game to spare with a 2-0 victory against Belarus in Methil, Mak's 18th-minute goal added to in injury time by substitute Ján Greguš, who had only just been brought on.

Five-goal flurries