Slovenia secure second-round spot

Slovenia and Romania booked their places in the second round of the UEFA European Under-19 Championship as they claimed the top two positions in qualifying Group 1.

Qualification bids
The two sides finished level on six points, with Slovenia winning the section by virtue of a superior record in head-to-head encounters. Hungary, who finished with four points, remained in with a chance of progressing to the next stage as the best third-placed side thanks to a 4-0 win against Slovenia in their final game, although three mini-tournaments are still left to play. Hosts Northern Ireland ended bottom of the section with a single point from their three matches.

Two-goal success
Slovenia secured a 2-0 victory against Romania in Lamberg in their opening game, with Dragan Ljubanic opening the scoring three minutes before half-time. Romania's chances were not helped when Cosmin Frasinescu was dismissed 15 minutes from time having collected a second yellow card, and Slovenia made the numerical advantage count, Borut Semler scoring a clinching second goal with nine minutes left.

Goalless draw
The game between Northern Ireland and Hungary at Mourneview Park in Lurgan ended scoreless, to leave Slovenia as the early group pacesetters.

Crucial win
Romania got their campaign back on track against Hungary, clinching a 2-0 win at Lake View Park in Loughgall. Ciprian Marica gave Dan Firiteanu's side an early lead before László Imrik was sent off for a second yellow card in the 75th minute. István Varga's side were forced to push forward in search of an equaliser, Romania took advantage of the extra space and Claudiu Keseru scored a second in the final minute.

Maximum points
Slovenia secured their second successive victory, defeating the host nation 3-1 at The Showgrounds. Rok Brajic opened the scoring for Branko Zupan's team in the 12th minute, with Semler scoring his second goal of the tournament two minutes past the half-hour. Noel Johnston halved the deficit ten minutes into the second period, but Semler's second of the match with five minutes left wrapped up the win. 

Two for Keseru
A 2-1 win against Northern Ireland in Belfast secured second place in the section for Firiteanu's side, with Keseru on target again on the quarter-hour. Dean Shiels brought Northern Ireland level three minutes before the hour, but Keseru scored a second 12 minutes later, which proved to be enough.

Emphatic victory
With qualification guaranteed, Slovenia suffered a 4-0 defeat against Hungary in their final game, with Rudolph scoring at the start and end of the first half to give Varga's side a two-goal cushion. Tozsen added a third on the hour and then completed the scoring from the penalty spot 14 minutes from time, before being shown the red card in the final minute.

Second-round qualifiers:

N.B. Seeds in bold. The winners of each second-round group will join hosts Switzerland at next summer's final tournament.