At the end of the European U-19 Championship qualifying Group A matches, Greece topped the standings after beating Romania in the final yesterday morning.
In the previous match, Slovakia defeated Ukraine to claim third place.
In fifth position follow Malta who had the better of Great Britain on Saturday, while Israel finish seventh in the group comprising as many nations.
The teams qualifying for the next stage of the competition in Georgia this coming August are Greece, Romania, Slovakia and Ukraine. They will be joined by the four qualifiers from Group B concurrently played in La Rochelle, France.
The eight teams will then compete with the top-ranked eight in Europe.
The Group A final standings are more or less a reflection of the current countries’ senior team rankings, with Malta keeping abreast with its position in the middle order continental teams.
In the opening match to determine third place, Slovakia had little difficulty in beating Ukraine and the nine-goal difference underlined their superiority after the Slovaks had beaten the same opponents 13-6 in their previous match in section A2.
Greece were also clear winners in the final match of the tournament whilst remaining the only side with a clean sheet, having won all their matches with goals to spare. Their all-round strength stems from their homogeneous qualities.
This was again evident yesterday when eight of their players inserted their names in the scorers’ list.
Romania fought hard especially in the latter sessions to keep the deficit within acceptable limits, but at the end they had to bow to superior opponents.
Summaries
Ukraine 3
Slovakia 12
(1-1, 0-3, 1-3, 1-5)
Ukraine: K. Nikolskyi, O. Tvirkun, H. Shulzhenko. V. Orlov, V. Niemov, D. Fedoryshyn, M. Apostol, B. Dzyadyk, V. Sytnyk 2, D. Alyek-syeyev, K. Navolokov, O. Yermakov 1.
Slovakia: D. Heterovic, J. Dily, R. Martanovic, M. Hrivnak 2, E. Haluska, P. Tkac, Maros Tkac 3, Marek Tkac 2, J. Meclar, S. Stanga 1, M. Dekany 2, M. Biben 2, D. Veternik.
Referees: J. Barradas, B. Mercier.
Greece 16
Romania 9
(2-0, 5-1, 4-4, 5-4)
Greece: E. Zerdevas, N. Karakasis 1, I. Masmanidis 1, N. Gerakoudis, E. Prekas 2, E. Potamianos 3, P. Kalogerakos 3, G. Kapetanakis 1, M. Chatzigoulas 2, E. Tsachilidis, N. Kopeliadis 3, N. Alvertis, K. Sarris.
Romania: M. Tic, T. Neagu 2, M. Mircea 2, R. Gergelyfi, I. Szabo, R. Buica, V. Dragomirescu, C. Calin. B. Paleacu 1, M. Constantin 2, A. Sfarle 1, N. Novac 1, I. Vochin.
Referees: H. Smit, C. Landmann.
Final ranking
1. Greece; 2. Romania; 3. Slovakia; 4. Ukraine; 5. Malta; 6. Great Britain; 7. Israel.