Bürki hands Swiss consolation

By Kevin Ashby at ZTE stadium

Vanessa Bürki scored a hat-trick as Switzerland ended their UEFA European Women's Under-19 Championship Group A campaign on a high by defeating the ten-player hosts 4-1 in Zalaegerszeg to earn an extended stay in Hungary.

England next
With Russia finishing second in Group B earlier in the day, a decider between the two third-placed sides is required on Wednesday to find Europe's fifth representative at next year's FIFA U-20 Women's World Championship. This game was effectively a play-off for that play-off, with captain Martina Moser adding to Bürki's treble to ensure it is Switzerland and not the hosts who will play England in two days' time.

Dynamic duo
Both sides saw their hopes of reaching the semi-finals dashed by second defeats on Friday, although Bürki and Moser earned high praise from Germany coach Maren Meinert for their displays in a 5-2 loss. That duo again orchestrated Switzerland's attacking play tonight, with Bürki's first touch of the ball seeing her latch on to a defensive mistake and send in a low shot inside 30 seconds which squirmed under Mónika Stoiber

Jakab chance
The Hungary goalkeeper was beaten again 15 minutes later as Bürki's pace once more saw her escape from the hosts' defence and the striker was able to pick her spot from ten metres. With pride as well as a place in the play-offs to play for, Hungary became more adventurous and Réka Jakab teased her way past two Swiss defenders only for her shot to lack the purpose of the run that preceded it.

Creator Tóth
Hungary escaped falling further behind when Moser hit the post on the half-hour and they were back in it in the 48th minute as Gabriella Tóth waltzed down the left-hand side to the by-line before cutting the ball back for Jakab to turn it beyond Stenia Michel. The crowd were still celebrating Hungary's first goal of the tournament when, six minutes later, Bürki collected a long ball and squared for Moser who had the freedom of the ZTE stadium to make it 3-1.

Keeper sent off
The chances continued to flow at both ends with Hungary's Nóra Horváth whipping in a curling free-kick which Michel touched on to the crossbar prior to a fine dipping half-volley from Vanessa Bernauer that struck the base of the post. Bernauer was soon involved in her side's final goal, releasing Moser who was felled in the area following initial hesitation by Stoiber: the red-carded keeper subsequently watching from the sidelines as Bürki converted the penalty for her fourth goal of the tournament.