Denmark delight in dramatic end

A last-gasp Rasmus Hansen goal against Finland ensured hosts Denmark joined Albania in progressing past UEFA European Under-19 Championship first qualifying round Group 6.

Albanian delight
Finland were a point ahead of Denmark and Albania going into the final round of matches, and had come back from two goals behind against the hosts in their last game to be heading through at 2-2 - only for Hansen to strike in Horsens. Albania's simultaneous 1-0 win against Luxembourg ensured them first place in the group on head-to-head record and sealed Finland's exit.

Luxembourg denied
Denmark, many of whose squad has played in the 2002/03 UEFA European Under-17 Championship final tournament, had not looked likely qualifiers when they began by losing 3-0 to Albania in Haderslev. Second-half goals from Arber Abilaliaj, substitute Arlindo Rustemi and Erald Guna gave Albania earlier hope of progressing through a round of this tournament for the first time since 1982, when this was an under-18 competition. In Horsens, Claudio Lombardelli put Luxembourg into a 51st-minute lead only - ironically in the light of what was to follow - for Finland to level in added time through Ilari Äijälä.

Petrescu scores four
Things changed radically two days later as Finland overwhelmed Albania 7-1 in Haderslev. Tomi Petrescu had a hat-trick before half-time, by which point it was 4-1 with Albania having pulled one back at 2-0 through Rustemi, only for Perparim Hetemaj to score and Petrescu to complete his treble. After the break Petrescu and Hetemaj scored again, and Jussi-Pekka Savolainen added a seventh seconds after coming on with 20 minutes to go.

Denmark victory
Denmark, who fielded Kasper - son of Peter - Schmeichel in goal - reignited their campaign in Vejle by defeating Luxembourg 3-1. Vetsergaard Ulrik made it 1-0 to Denmark on 21 minutes, and although Anton Bozic levelled early in the second half, goals from Mads Torry Lindeneg and substitute Lasse Kronberg in the final 12 minutes settled matters in the home side's favour.

Dramatic end
Luxembourg's campaign ended in the same venue as thanks to a 31st-minute Guna goal Albania gained a 1-0 victory that ensured their 22-year wait for progress was over. It seemed Denmark were comfortably on their way when Søren Christensen scored on 31 minutes and Ulrik doubled the lead just after the hour mark. But Jarno Parikka struck in the 76th minute and again seven minutes later to put Finland back in the running - only for Hansen, who had only been brought on four minutes from the end, to delight the hosts. Finland will not go through as the best third-placed team as their goal difference is inferior to Turkey's in Group 8.