First-half flurry keeps Finns flying

Finland maintained their perfect record in UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualifying Group 6 as first-half goals from Mehmet Hetemaj and Jarno Parikka proved enough to defeat ten-man Lithuania in Helsinki.

First-half action
Markku Tapio Kanerva's side had won their first four qualifying games and kicked off second in the section, a point behind Denmark having played a game fewer. Hetemaj set them on course for another victory midway through the first half at the Finnair Stadium, opening the scoring from a Kasper Hämäläinen cross and, although Elvadas Grigaitis swiftly levelled after reacting first to a loose ball, Parikka restored the Finnish advantage with a powerful shot before the interval.

Scotland tests
Lithuania – who remain bottom of the section having taken one point from their seven matches – battled bravely for a way back into the match but their hopes were effectively ended when Grigaitis was dismissed midway through the second period. "We went for a win and that's what we got," said Kanerva. "Lithuania surprised us a bit in the beginning, but overall we controlled the game quite well." Finland are next in action at third-placed Scotland on 26 March, while Lithuania's next fixture is at home against the same opponents on 20 August.