Czechs progress after defeating rivals Iceland

Czech Republic secured top spot in UEFA European Women's Under-17 Championship first qualifying round Group 4 in Slovenia after a final-day 2-0 win against Iceland.

Going into Tuesday's decider in Beltinci, Iceland led the Czech Republic on goals scored, yet it is the latter who go into the second qualifying round draw on 20 November. Their opponents must wait to see if they join them as one of the best runners-up across the 11 groups with the best record against the teams first and third in their section.

Both Iceland and the Czech Republic opened with 3-0 wins. Iceland, hoping to match their run to the 2010/11 semi-finals, defeated the hosts with a hat-trick from Oddny Hafsteinsdóttir. Czech Republic triumphed against Estonia, Karolína Křivská, Kateřina Svitková and Nikola Švimberská – from 20 metres out – scoring, while the woodwork was also hit twice in a dominant display.

The Czech Republic impressed again in defeating Slovenia 4-0 two days later. Andrea Majerová scored after only 53 seconds and she and Kateřina Svitková had two goals each by the 27-minute mark as their set pieces and long balls cut through the home defence, allowing the Czechs to ease up after the break.

Iceland took the outright lead in the group by beating Estonia 5-1 and were also four up by the break thanks to Hulda Osk Jonsdóttir, Alda Olafsdóttir, Heiddis Sigurjonsdóttir and – after Sandra Reivik was unsuccessful from the penalty spot – Rakel Jonsdóttir. Substitute Petrea Bjort Saevarsdóttir added the fifth before Saron Läänmäe's late consolation.

That meant a draw would have sufficed for Iceland on the last day, but they succumbed to two second-half strikes. After both goalkeepers had kept their teams on level terms by prevailing in one-on-one situations, 11th-minute substitute Nikola Švimberská, who replaced the injured Kateřina Klímová, chipped her side ahead from an acute angle.

The unmarked Katerina Bužková eased any lingering nerves in the fifth minute of added time with a neat finish. Czech Republic coach Eva Haniaková said: "Iceland were very dangerous from set pieces. The tournament was very well organised, we felt welcomed here in Slovenia and came out on top. I am very happy for the girls."

In the other game, Slovenia condemned Estonia to a third successive defeat, triumphing 3-0 in Odranci.