Greece grateful to Faroese

Hungary's final-day victory against Greece took them through to the UEFA European Under-19 Championship second qualifying round as Group 1 winners - but Alexandros Alexiou's side will join them after Wales fell to a surprise loss to mini-tournament hosts the Faroe Islands.

Flying start
Having lost all three of their qualifiers in the last four editions of this tournament, the Faroes were again defeated in the opening game as Greece prevailed 5-0 in Toftír. Stylianos Iliadis, Antonis Petropoulos and Christos Lisgaras had already scored for Greece by the time of Fritleif Lambanum's 36th-minute sending off, and Petropoulos struck again against the ten men before the break. Substitute Charalampos Perperidis added the fifth in the 61st minute. In the other match in Tórshavn, Luke Graham's goal just after the half-hour ensured Wales beat Hungary 1-0.

Wales on course
Wales remained on course two days later in Toftír with a goalless draw against Greece. Meanwhile, in Tórshavn, Hungary revived their campaign - and ended the Faroes' qualification bid - with a 3-0 win against the hosts. Balázs Dzsudzsak took five minutes to open the scoring and late in the first half István Ladoczki doubled the lead. Dzsudzsak converted a 58th-minute penalty to ensure victory.

Hungary through
Hungary knew that another victory in the same venue against Greece would take them through, and two goals in the last four minutes of the first half from Dzsudzsak - the latter another spot-kick - put them in the driving seat. Stravros Zindros pulled one back in the 47th minute, but Hungary held on, leaving Alexiou's team hoping that the hosts had simultaneously defeated Wales in Toftír to keep the Greek campaign alive.

Faroese comeback
That seemed unlikely - the Faroe Islands had lost 14 straight matches in this tournament since a victory against Andorra in October 2000 - and it became an apparently even more remote possibility when David Cotterrill gave Wales a 12th-minute lead. But Ovi Magnussen levelled in the 29th minute, and Páll Mohr Joensen put the Faroes ahead five minutes into the second half. Then, with 14 minutes to go, Wales's hopes disappeared as manager Neville Southall was ordered from the dug-out and Cotterrill put through an own goal.

Elite round
Group winners Hungary now move into Elite round Group 4 along with Armenia, Belgium and Italy, with one place in the final tournament at stake. Greece will be in Group 5 against Scotland, Austria and one team to be decided. Wales, having been pipped to second position by Greece on goal difference, also miss out on the berth on offer to the best third-placed side.