Spain continue perfect Women's U17 defence

Holders Spain got off to a winning start as three of the four UEFA European Women's Under-17 Championship second qualifying round groups kicked off on Saturday.

Jorge Vilda's team have an early stranglehold on Group 2 after the other game in the section, between mini-tournament hosts the Czech Republic and Italy, finished 1-1. Spain were dominant from the off against Belgium but had no goals to show for it until the final nine minutes in Rokycany, when Raquel Pinel and Izaskun Leoz struck. The 2010 champions are yet to concede a goal in four matches this campaign.

France, meanwhile, were the biggest victors of the day, defeating Scotland 4-1 in Group 4. Claire Lavogez and Clarisse Le Bihan scored two goals apiece for the 2008 runners-up, who, like Spain, have an early two-point lead following a 1-1 draw in the other match between hosts Switzerland and Wales.

In Group 1, Poland recovered from a goal down to beat Sweden 3-1 thanks to second-half efforts from Agata Guściora – a penalty – Ewa Pajor and substitute Nikola Kaletka. The mini-tournament hosts lead the way on goals scored from Iceland, who overcame England 2-0.

The three groups resume on Monday and conclude three days later. Only the winners of the four sections will progress to the finals, to be played at the Colovray stadium opposite UEFA's Nyon headquarters from 28 July.

The winners of Groups 1 and 2 meet while the team that tops Group 4 faces the side which comes through Group 3, featuring two-time champions Germany, Russia, Finland and Denmark. It begins on 21 April.