MINSK, 8 June (BelTA) – Belarus got off to a good start at the 2019 UEFA European U21 Championship qualification on 7 June, BelTA has learned.
In the opening fixture of the first qualification group Belarus edged San Marino 1-0 at Minsk Traktor Stadium.
After a big defeat (0-7) to Russia, Belarus needed this victory. Evgeny Berezkin was the only scorer after capitalizing on a penalty shot at the 52nd minute of the game.
Belarus will hold the next qualifier for the 2019 UEFA European U21 Championship against Greece on 1 September. Before this, San Marino will host Moldova on 13 June, and Moldova will play Croatia on 31 August. Another participant of the tournament, the Czech Republic, will start against Belarus on 5 September.
54 teams are competing in the qualifying stage. The teams are divided into nine groups, which winners will earn spots for the final. Four best runners-up will play additional games for two more final spots. The final will take place in Italy in June 2019.
Belarus played in the UEFA European U21 Championship three times. In 2004 and 2009 the country failed to advance to the playoff. In 2011 Belarus ranked third and earned a berth to the 2012 Olympic Games in London.
