Iceland pip Russia to finals in thriller

Iceland have qualified for their first continental final tournament since 1998 after an extraordinary victory against Russia ensured they beat both the holders and Portugal to the UEFA European Under-17 Championship in Belgium from 2 to 13 May.

Holders out
Defending champions Russia led Elite round Group 6 in Portugal by two points from the home side and Iceland - who had drawn both their mini-tournament matches - at the start of the decisive matchday. But Iceland, who last reached a UEFA finals in the 1998 European U16 Chammpionship, made an incredible start to this match in Caldas da Rainha, and led 5-0 at the break, four of the goals from Kolbeinn Sigthorsson.

Sigthorsson heroics
HK Kopavogur striker Sigthorsson, who had scored both his team's goals in the 2-2 draw with Northern Ireland on Matchday 1, put Iceland ahead on eight minutes today. Seconds after Frans Elvarsson had made it 2-0 with a header just past the midway point in the half, Sigthorsson struck again from 16 metres out. His hat-trick was complete on 33 minutes and on the stroke of half-time he had a fourth. Iceland were 6-0 up three minutes into the second period through Aron Palomares, and it seemed Russia's hopes were extinguished.

Comeback thwarted
But then began what was so nearly an extraordinary turnaround. Denis Voynov opened Russia's account in the 49th minute and soon after Aleksandr Kudryavtsev struck. With ten minutes left he scored again, and when Artem Delkin put Russia within two goals on 76 minutes, suddenly qualification was up for grabs. Dmitri Bobrov then pulled it back to 6-5 from the edge of the area three minutes into added time.

Iceland through
But Iceland held on for two more minutes and as Portugal defeated Northern Ireland by a 2-1 scoreline, Luka Kostić's team went into the final tournament draw on 4 April in Brussels on goals scored ahead of the home side, and a point clear of Russia.