England enjoy Group 2 dominance

Last year's runners-up England and Slovakia made light work of the UEFA European Under-19 Championship qualifying round, claiming the top two berths in Group 2 thanks to wins in each of their first two fixtures.

Contrasting wins
England went down 2-0 to hosts Ukraine in the 2008/09 final in Donetsk yet made a rapid start to this season's campaign with goals in the first 16 minutes from Nathan Delfouneso – top scorer in last summer's final tournament – and Jacob Mellis putting them in control against Finland in Murska Sobota. Although Roope Riski pulled a goal back in the 34th minute, Finnish hopes of a fightback suffered a knock when Henri Toivomäki collected a second yellow card with five minutes left, Dean Parrett making the points safe for England with a third goal in added time. In the other Matchday 1 fixture, hosts Slovenia were given the added boost of Lukas Stetina's 23rd-minute dismissal for a second bookable offence, yet David Guba scored what proved to be the only goal for Slovakia eight minutes later.

Qualification assured
Two days later Pavol Peracek's Slovakia side showed they possessed attacking potency as well as defensive fortitude with a 4-0 dismantling of Finland at the Sportni Park in Lendava thanks to goals from Juraj Vavrik (6), Fabían Slančík (69), Jakub Považanec (75) and Guba (76). England also made sure of a place in next spring's Elite round with a second successive 3-1 win. Ryan Donaldson (41) and Mellis (64) put them 2-0 up against the hosts before Roarie Deacon made it three from the penalty spot ten minutes from time leaving Luka Vrhunc's added-time effort as scant consolation for Slovenia.

England prevail
With regular coach Brian Eastick at the FIFA U-20 World Cup in Egypt, Noel Blake took charge of England for this stage and his new charges made it three wins from three by overcoming Slovakia at the Sportni Park thanks to second-half goals from Ryan Mason and Mellis. With Slovakia nevertheless secured in second position, Finland ensured they and not Slovenia – who also reached last season's final tournament – would finish in third with a 2-0 win in Murska Sobota. Riski opened the scoring from the penalty spot midway through the first half and Johannes Westö added a clinching second late on.