Perfect record takes Israel though

Match forfeited
In their opener in Nes-Ziona, Israel seemed to have picked up a dramatic 2-0 win when Menachem Shechter Etey gave them the lead in the last minute and Rami Duani added a second deep into added time. But it then transpired that Cyprus's Alexandros Dimitriou was ineligible for the match and Israel were awarded the match 3-0 on a forfeit.

Four for Mathiesen
Things were more straightforward for Norway against Malta as the 2004/05 final tournament competitors won 6-0 in Rishon Le-Zion. Morten Krüger Hæstad put Norway ahead on nine minutes and late in the half Jesper Mathiesen doubled the lead. Bjarne Ingebretsen added another in the 52nd minute before Mathiesen wrapped up the victory with three further goals in the last 15 minutes.

Bar Buzaglo strikes
Two days later, though, Cyprus bounded back as Andreas Demetriou's goal on 58 minutes gave them a 1-0 victory against Norway in Rishon Le-Zion. Israel stormed to the top of the table and the verge of an Elite-round berth as they overcame Malta 3-0 in Nes-Ziona. Maor Bar Buzaglo, who played in last season's U17 finals as well as U19 qualifying, put Israel in control with 55th and 66th-minute goals and Elran Atar struck with 20 minutes left to seal victory. Those results were good news for Hungary, who now knew that their record from Group 5 would be good enough for them to finish as the best third-place team from across the 12 pools, taking them into the Elite round.

Nervous closing day
However, Israel still required a point in their decider against Norway to be absolutely sure of progress but did even better than that with a 4-1 victory on Sunday. All the goals came in the first half with Ori Peso opening the scoring in the ninth minute. Jon Anders Riise equalised in the 19th minute but Rami Duani restored Israel's lead from the penalty spot a minute later. Maor Bar Buzaglo and Yuval Shpungin then wrapped up victory before half-time.

Avraam double
Cyprus went through as runners-up after two late goals from Andreas Avraam averted a surprise defeat against Malta. Jonathan Pearson put Malta in front on 38 minutes before Avraam finally equalised in the 67th minute. He then struck his second of the evening eight minutes later to confirm Cyprus's progress.