Turkey stride on alongside Slovenia

Russia denied
Turkey defeated Slovenia and Malta in their opening games to take control of the pool and then drew 3-3 with the nation that succeeded them as U17 champions in 2006, group hosts Russia. That allowed Slovenia to ensure an Elite round place with a 1-0 win against Malta.

Demir stars
When the eventual top two met on the opening day, there were seven goals. The first was in the fifth minute through Musa Cagiran and although Rok Medved equalised for Slovenia, Muhammet Demir made it 2-1 on the stroke of half-time. On the hour mark Berkin Kamil Arslan increased the lead and after Haris Vučkić pulled one back Demir, a veteran of the 2008 finals, struck again. Vučkić made it 4-3 but Slovenia could not fashion an equaliser.

Slovenia success
Russia defeated Malta 2-0 with goals by Nikolay Ivannikov and Victor Kuzmichev but two days later fell 1-0 to Slovenia, Vučkić making the difference on 18 minutes. Demir scored twice in the last 24 minutes to ensure Turkey overcame Malta 2-0.

Turkey top
Slovenia knew a win against Malta would almost certainly prove good enough to go through and Emir Ljubijankic's goal secured victory with 15 minutes left. Malta had James Parris sent off late on. Russia took an 18th-minute lead against Turkey through Georgy Nurov but Demir swiftly equalised. Early in the second half Ohran Gülle and Demir put Turkey 3-1 up but with seven minutes left Roman Emelyanov pulled one back and deep in injury time Kuzmichel equalised, but it was too late for Russia to go on and win.