Slovenia have secured their place in the elite round of qualifying for the 2017 UEFA Women's under-19 Championship.

They become the first nation to progress from the qualifying round, having topped Group 5 ahead of Russia. The runners-up will have to wait for the rest of the groups to conclude before they know whether they have made it through as one of the best second-placed teams.

However, it is the end of the road for Greece and Israel, who finished third and fourth respectively.

The final standings in Group 5. (Photo: Soccerway)
The final standings in Group 5. (Photo: Soccerway)

Narrow defeat sends Israel out, while Russia are surely to join Slovenia

Group 5 is the first group to be concluded, with the four teams having played their three games over the last five days to decide who will progress.

Slovenia started well to top the group after round one, beating Greece 2-0 thanks to goals from Urška Bratuša and Isabella Pleterski.

However, they were helped to the summit by Israel, who held Russia to a 1-1 draw in the night's other fixture - the eventual runners-up needing an 85th minute equaliser from the spot to actually get that point too.

And while Israel tried to be a thorn in Slovenia's side as well, frustrating them in a goalless draw two days later, the Central European nation booked their place in the next round with victory over Russia on matchday three.

After the two were level-pegging at the break, Slovenia ran away with the game when they scored three goals in just seven second half minutes, taking the score to 4-1 with half an hour to play.

Russia's chances of getting back into things were then dealt a set back when Elena Shesterneva saw red on 75 minutes and, even though Olga Voloshina pulled a goal back from the spot, the final score read 4-2 at full time.

Elsewhere, Israel knew that a win and a Russian slip up would see them through on the same night, but they could not take advantage. Greece, fresh from a 4-2 defeat to the Eastern European nation, bounced back with a 1-0 win - Konstantina Giannou's goal denying the Israelis a potential spot in the elite round.

Slovenia join England, Germany and - this year's winnersFrance at the next stage then, who all received byes.

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About the author
Ameé Ruszkai
Head of the Sunderland, Swansea City and women football sections at VAVEL UK. Email: [email protected]