Belgium savour winning start

Belgium began their UEFA European Under-19 Championship campaign in impressive fashion as two goals from Roland Lamah helped defeat the Czech Republic in Pobiedziska.

First-half flourish
The RSC Anderlecht forward opened the scoring early on and restored his side's lead from the penalty spot after Martin Fenin had levelled. Michal Švec's own goal gave the Belgians a two-goal cushion at half-time and Kevin Mirallas' effort early in the second period effectively ended Czech hopes, although Miroslav Soukup's side did at least have the consolation of the final word on the night as Marek Strestik pulled a goal back with a fine shot late on.

Lamah opener
The Czechs actually began the brighter only to fall behind in the 12th minute as captain Jan Šimunek lost possession on the corner of his own penalty area and, from the resulting cross, Lamah made no mistake from close range. The response was instantaneous, however, as a short left-wing corner caused problems in the Belgian penalty area and allowed Fenin to sweep in the equaliser.

Czech calamity
Ondrej Kudela then missed a golden opportunity to turn the match in his side's favour, shooting wide with only Belgium goalkeeper Davino Verhulst to beat, and the miss was to prove costly. Lamah put Marc Van Geersom's team in front again in the 32nd minute, converting a penalty having been felled by goalkeeper Radek Petr. Worse was to follow for the Czechs four minutes later as a breakdown in communication between Petr and Švec resulted in the defender heading a left-wing cross into his own goal.

Mirallas delight
Once again the Czechs rallied and both Petr Janda and Jakub Mareš went close before the interval, but the Belgians displayed their ruthless streak again 12 minutes into the second half, Mirallas scrambling a corner over the line to make it 4-1. Sébastien Pocognoli then twice threatened a fifth, forcing a good save from Petr with a free-kick and then firing across the face of goal before the Czechs mounted a spell of pressure of their own.

Strestik consolation
Marek Jungr and Fenin drew excellent saves from Verhulst but the Belgian goalkeeper was beaten again six minutes from time, Strestik unleashing a perfectly-placed shot from 20 metres. The Czechs might have had another in the final minute as Jirí Jeslínek almost capitalised on some poor Belgian defending but his shot rebounded off the upright. Belgium, whose win was their first in seven attempts at the U19 finals, next play Poland on Thursday while the Czechs take on Austria.