Holders tested but win group

Spain's bid for a third straight UEFA European Under-19 Championship success remains on course but they were given a tough time in winning qualifying round Group 5, while Albania pipped Serbia to second place.

Opening wins
Serbia began their campaign in Alginet with a 3-0 defeat of Liechtenstein, Marko Nikolić scoring on 17 minutes and Novica Milenović and substitute Stefan Milojević adding second-half goals. Emilio Nsue, one of six survivors from the Spain squad that triumphed in Austria three months ago, and Juan Hernández gave Ginés Meléndez's side a 2-0 win against Albania.

Spain held
Albania recovered two days later to defeat Serbia 2-1, as two Mirgen Bushati goals in the first six minutes produced only a 72nd-minute reply from Nemaja Kojić, Nenad Krstičić having been sent off in the first half. And there was a surprise in the later game in Alzira as Liechtenstein held Spain 0-0.

Holders through
The holders still had the edge in the group going into the final day but fell behind ten minutes in against Serbia in Alcoy to a Veljko Vuković goal. But 12 minutes into the second half Aarón Ñíguez equalised for Spain, who also had in their squad three of the players that won U17 gold in Belgium last May, and the home side secured the draw they needed to progress to the Elite round.

Albanian delight
Spain then learned they had finished top as Liechtenstein drew 0-0 with Albania, who pipped Serbia to second place on head-to-head record. However, Serbia still have hope of going through as one of the two third-placed teams in the 13 groups with the best record against the leading pair in their pool, but there are still five mini-tournaments to go.