Double delight for Hungary

UEFA European Women's Under-19 Championship hosts Hungary showed their continuing improvement ahead of July's finals with two friendly victories at home to Croatia.

Comeback success
In February, Hungary won and lost by the same 1-0 scoreline in a two-game series in Croatia, but in two games in Buk, Edina Markó's team were dominant, starting on Wednesday with a 2-1 comeback success. On 18 minutes, Monika Pemper gave the visitors the lead, but Zsófia Rácz equalised within six minutes. With both teams having made five substitutions, Hungary clinched the game seven minutes before the end through Réka Jakab.

Second victory
Two days later, Hungary went one better with a 3-1 win. Jakab opened the scoring on 31 minutes and late in the half Nikolett Fehér and Rácz struck to increase the lead to three goals. Mihaela Pavlek pulled one back 12 minutes from time but Hungary had secured their first double victory in five such two-game encounters this season.

Finals draw
Hungary's next friendly is in Andrashida against Slovenia on 24 May - the day of the finals draw. If Croatia are to also enter the hat for the first time, they will need to win second qualifying round Group 7 from 26-30 April, where they meet the Republic of Ireland, 2002/03 champions France and the current holders, mini-tournament hosts Spain.