Unbeaten trio split by tie-break

A final-day second-half comeback for F.Y.R. Macedonia against Turkey produced a 2-2 draw that took both teams into the UEFA European Under-19 Championship Elite round - and left Romania out of the competition despite not losing a game in qualifying round Group 8.

Close finish
Both mini-tournament hosts Turkey and the Macedonians had defeated Albania and draw with Romania prior to Matchday 3. Romania overcame Albania themselves 2-0 in their concluding fixture, and had Turkey held their similar half-time lead against F.Y.R. Macedonia, Constantin Pana's side would have gone through behind the home team.

Tie-break needed
But in the final 45 minutes that all changed, and Romania - who finished 1-1 against Turkey before a goalless draw with F.Y.R. Macedonia - were pipped on three-way head-to-head goals scored and ended a frustrating second behind Hungary in the race to finish as the best third-placed team from across the groups. By the same tie-break reckoning, Turkey were top.

Opening results
F.Y.R. Macedonia began the group at a rate of knots against Albania, Ljupco Micevski scoring on three minutes in Kusadasi and Zoran Zlatkovski adding a penalty six minutes later. Gentian Muca pulled one back but before the half-hour mark Agim Ibraimi made it 3-1. Erbim Fagu reduced arrears again in the 52nd minute but late on Zlatkovski secured a 4-2 Macedonian win. In Soke, Cristian Tanase gave Romania a 23rd-minute lead against Turkey but Ergin Keles's 69th-minute penalty ensured a 1-1 draw. In a game featuring eight bookings, Turkish substitute Mülayim Erdem was sent off in the final minutes.

Turkey win
Two days later, Romania drew again in Soke, playing out a goalless game with F.Y.R. Macedonia. Turkey took the opportunity to to strengthen their hand, Arda Turan opening the scoring against Albania 29 minutes in and Cafercan Aksu wrapping up a 2-0 win in Kusadasi on the hour, though Emre Karaman had been sent off five minutes earlier for the hosts after collecting a second yellow card.

Late swing
Romania now needed to defeat Albania in Soke and hope for a positive result in Kusadasi. Goals early in each half for Cristian Scutaru and Vasile Pacuraru ensured Romania kept up their end of the bargain, but although a Bojan Blazevski own goal and Cafercan's strike left Turkey 2-0 up against F.Y.R. Macedonia within 28 minutes, Zlatkovski gave his side hope an hour into the game and eight minutes later half-time substitute Jovan Kostovski claimed an equaliser which kept alive his nation's dreams of reaching the finals in Poland - and wrecked Romania's hopes.