Slovakia start with a win

Slovakia's hopes of reaching the final tournament of the 2004/05 UEFA European Under-19 Championship received a major boost in the first match in Elite round Group 5 as goals at the start and end of the match earned a 2-0 success against mini-tournament hosts Austria in Vöcklabruck.

Slovakian success
In front of 2,000 spectators at the Vöcklabruck stadium, Stanislav Baran's side made the perfect start, taking control from the outset and moving in front as early as the tenth minute through striker Erik Jendrisek. Both sides had chances to add to the score, with Slovakia missing a late penalty, but it was the Slovakians who secured the points as midfield player Matej Ižvolt made it 2-0 with five minutes remaining.

Opening victories
Baran's team therefore lead the Group 5 table after one round of matches, with Greece defeating Scotland 1-0 in today's other game. The Scots are Slovakia's next opponents, in Mondsee on Sunday afternoon, while Austria will be hoping to bounce back against the Greeks the same day.