Finland find reason to be cheerful

Finland rounded off their campaign in the Elite Round of the UEFA European Under-19 European Championship with a 2-0 consolation victory against Austria on the final day of action in Group 1.

Finnish pride
The Finns started the match in Subotica knowing they only had pride at stake after an opening 1-1 draw with Serbia and a subsequent 2-1 defeat by 2008 semi-finalists Hungary ended their hopes of going to the final tournament in Ukraine. However, there was no mistaking their desire to finish the mini-tournament in Serbia on a high when midfielder Jaakko Lepola put them ahead on the stroke of half-time. Austria, who had needed a win to stand any chance of qualifying ahead of Serbia, saw their last hopes extinguished when striker Teemu Pukki, who is on the books of Sevilla FC, scored Finland's second in the 90th minute. In the event, Serbia's 1-0 victory against Hungary at the same time ensured that group honours and a place in the final eight went to the host nation.