Serbia defeats England U19s in elite-round opener

Serbia defeated England's men's under-nineteen team 2-0 in the opening game of the European Championship elite qualifying round. Goals from Mihajlo Cvetkovic and Bogdan Kostic gave Serbia the advantage as England failed to convert eighteen attempts on goal into a response.

Cvetkovic struck from near the halfway line in the thirty-ninth minute after a closely contested opening period. England goalkeeper Oliver Whatmuff had already made an early save, while Divine Mukasa helped the visitors advance before Serbia secured the half-time lead.

Whatmuff continued to make important stops after the break, but Kostic doubled the lead following a run through the defence. Max Dowman and Harrison Armstrong tested Vuk Draskic without scoring, leaving England needing improvement against Poland and Portugal to challenge for the group's qualification place.