Group A1: France book finals place

France have booked their place in the UEFA European Women's Under-19 Championship in May 2002 after winning all their third qualifying round matches.

Perfect record
In negotiating Group A1 with a perfect record, France ensured they would be one of eight countries that will battle it out for European supremacy in Sweden next year.

Qualifying procedure
Whether or not they will be joined by second-placed Switzerland will be decided in February or March 2002, when the third qualifying round draws to a close. It comprises four groups of four, with the group winners and three best runners-up joining the host nation in the finals.

Goal difference
England, second behind Denmark in Group A3, have scored more goals than the Swiss, eight compared to seven, and Switzerland's chances of qualification hinge on one of the runners-up from Group A2 and A4 having less points or scoring less goals.

Five-goal thriller
France's opening game of their mini-tournament in Italy proved the toughest of the three in their section, only clinching victory in the final minute in a five-goal thriller against the hosts.

Tight affair
The first half was a tight affair but France started the second period confidently and deservedly took the lead through Elodie Ramos nine minutes into it. Caterina Uras pulled Italy level in the 66th minute but they were only on level terms for a minute before Claire Morel restored France's one-goal advantage.

Inspired substitution
An inspired substitution by the Italy coach, bringing Valentina Fambrini on for Valentina Lanzieri, produced an instant dividend as the former struck Italy's second leveller with ten minutes remaining. However, there was still time for a fifth and final goal, Ramos securing three points with her second of the night in the 90th minute.

Flying start
Switzerland got their campaign off to a flying start in defeating Poland 5-1. Isabella Osterwalder scored the opening goal after 18 minutes and Rahel Grand and Martina Moser each scored twice to complete the scoring for the Swiss.

Late consolation
Osterwalder also scored the first goal in Switzerland's 2-1 win against Italy. Nicole Gassman added to her team-mates second-minute strike in the 34th minute with an 87th-minute effort from Uras, another who scored in her country's opening Group A1 game, proving too little too late for Italy.

5-0 win
France bettered Switzerland's 5-1 defeat of Poland in recording a 5-0 win over the Poles in their second game - Sandrine Rouquet (9), Morel (29), Sandrine Dusang (74) and Ludivine Diguelman (76 and 90) all on target.

Final matches
The final round of games saw Poland and Italy squaring off to avoid finishing bottom of the group and France and Italy going head-to-head in search of top spot and an automatic place in the finals.

Scoring record
Italy finished ahead of Poland on goal difference following a 0-0 draw while France accounted for Switzerland 2-0 - first-half goals from Rouquet and Morel, who scored in each of France's three games, enough to clinch the victors a spot in next May's championship.