Mavrias ensures Greece pass with top marks

Panathinaikos FC's Charis Mavrias was on target as Greece rounded off their UEFA European Under-19 Championship elite round campaign with a third successive one-goal win.

The 17-year-old struck four minutes after half-time against Belarus in Nitra, finally breaking the deadlock after both sides squandered penalties in a frenetic end to the first period. Artem Buloychik failed to convert for Belarus while Giannis Potouridis was the guilty party for a Greece side who sealed their place at July's final tournament in Romania by beating holders France 2-1 on Sunday. Defeat consigned Belarus to finishing without a point at the foot of Group 3.

"I'd like to congratulate the players, they did very well in all three games," said Greece coach Leonidas Vokolos. "It was very hard today because we had some different players on the pitch and Belarus fought hard. The first twenty minutes was not so good but then we began to keep the ball better, and for longer periods.

"It is a big thing to win all three games, especially because France were the big favourites. However, I fully believe in the kids; we know the finals will be a step up but we will go there and do our best. It will be difficult to win but we are not going there for a vacation, we will give it everything we've got to win it."