Norway and Switzerland exploit opening wins
Monday, September 29, 2008
Article summary
Final-day goalless draws proved enough to take Norway and Switzerland through from UEFA European Under-17 Championship qualifying round Group 7 in Iceland at the expense of Ukraine.
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Ukraine pipped
Going into Matchday 3, Norway and Switzerland led Ukraine by one point with hosts Iceland already out of contention. And as Switzerland held Ukraine and Norway finished level with Iceland, those standings remained to confirm the top two in the Elite round.
Crucial wins
The crucial results were those on the opening day. Switzerland defeated Iceland 2-1 in Akranes thanks to first-half goals by Renato Santabarbara and André Goncalves despite Zlatko Krickic pulling one back after the break. Strikes from Mushaga Bakenga and Orjan Hopen either side of the interval gave Norway the advantage against Ukraine, a lead which was built upon by an Ivan Ordets own goal and Eivind Daniel Roed's effort to ensure a 4-0 win in Grindavik.
Iceland fall
Switzerland and Norway then played out a 0-0 draw in Reykjavik meaning that elsewhere in the capital, Ukraine were able to close the gap by eliminating Iceland 2-1. They recovered from conceding on 15 minutes through Sigurbergur Elísson to quickly equalise with a Brynar Gauti Gudjónsson own goal and then secured the points 16 minutes from time through Oleksandr Noiok. However, Ukraine were ultimately to fall short as they were shut out by Switzerland.