Slovakia squeeze through with Russia
Monday, October 2, 2006
Article summary
Russia and Slovakia are the first teams through to the Elite round but Albania face a long wait to find out if they will join them in progressing from Group 5.
Article body
Russia and Slovakia are the first teams through to the UEFA European Under-19 Championship Elite round, while Albania face a long wait to find out if they will join them.
Close finish
That trio ended locked on six points at the top of qualifying round Group 5 in Andorra, but in the three-way head-to-head reckoning Russia came out top and Albania were third. Albania's 3-2 win against Slovakia on Matchday 1 has given them a good chance of advancing as the third-placed team with the best record against the top two in their pool, but they must wait for eleven more groups to be completed, with the last fixtures not until 5 November.
Albanian comeback
Hoping to follow the example of their victorious U17 team from this May, Russia made a winning start by defeating Andorra 2-0. Artem Dzyuba gave Russia a 38th-minute lead from the penalty spot and Nikita Andreev struck just before the hour. Later on Albania twice came from behind to secure victory against Slovakia, who scored first on eleven minutes through Michal Duris. Enri Shiba equalised in the 27th minute but Duris immediately restored Slovakia's lead. Jahmir Hyka levelled again with 55 minutes gone and 15 minutes from time Enco Malindi, freshly on as a substitute, claimed Albania's winner.
Slovakia squeeze through
However, Albania then fell 2-0 to Russia. Andreev put Russia ahead in the 66th minute and Dzyuba confirmed the victory with seven minutes left. Slovakia got into gear as they defeated Andorra 3-0, Ján Zápotoka scoring twice in the first half-hour before Duris put the game beyond the mini-tournament hosts before half-time. So now Albania knew that matters were not in their own hands. They gave themselves every chance with a 2-0 victory against Andorra, but knew that a narrow win for Slovakia against Russia would mean they would be edged out. Erik Grendel's goal on the half-hour for Slovakia duly proved decisive in the match, and condemned Albania to a nervous wait. Russia and Slovakia, meanwhile, will definitely be in the Elite round draw on 5 December in Nyon.
