ONE ELL OF A WIN FOR BABES

SCOTLAND 1

CZECH REPUBLIC 0

CALUM ELLIOT setup a revenge mission with Spain - and left Scotland's super babes on the brink of greatness.

The Hearts starlet was just one of the heroes in a victory that saw off the Czech Republic but came at a cost.

Steven Fletcher joined Robert Snodgrass in being banned for Saturday's final but that would have been of little concern to boss Archie Gemmill at the final whistle as he savoured the prospect of gaining revenge over the team that crushed his kids 4-0 in the group stage.

As has been the case throughout the tournament, the heat was of an intensity that made the short stroll for a pre-match hotdog an unbearable exertion, never mind busting a gut for 90 minutes.

But once again the young Scots were asked to produce another huge effort to defy odds that have been stacked against them since arriving in Poland. Dundee United's Greg Cameron came in as expected for the suspended Charlie Grant and took his position as the midfield anchor. The venue for the game was more than fitting for the occasion and after the makeshift stadiums of last week, Polish side Groclin's ground was palatial in comparison.

With just two minutes on the clock, Scotland squandered a glorious chance to take the lead.

Elliot fed a clever pass into the path of Fletcher who should have burst the net from 12 yards but his hesitation allowed Radek Petr to smother.

The Hibs striker had to wait just 90 seconds before picking up that booking but it was a travesty for the youngster.

A stumble inside the box after a challenge from Michal Svek was unavoidable but French whistler Herve Piccirillo opted to avenge his nation's elimination at the hands of Fletcher in the qualifying stage.

In the 10th minute the Czechs showed their menace when Jakub Mares' through-ball found Martin Fenin who almost capitalised on a mix-up between keeper Andrew McNeil and skipper Scott Cuthbert.

Thankfully for them, the ball ricocheted to safety.

Celtic's Michael McGlinchey was next to try his luck after being sent clear by Fletcher but once again Petr was the hero with a brilliant block. Simon Ferry then fired an effort inches past after being played in from 18 yards out by Elliot.

As chance after chance slipped away the danger of the sucker punch always lay in wait and three minutes before the break it was a lucky escape for Scotland.

McNeil flapped under a cross from the right but as the Scots struggled to clear, the keeper redeemed himself by brilliantly stopping Petr Pavlic's strike.

The emergence of Snodgrass at half-time at the expense of Fletcher, who succumbed to a head knock, appeared to be a blow to the Scots but within two minutes they were dizzy with delight.

Snodgrass won a free-kick on the left and Cuthbert's back-post delivery was headed across goal for Elliot to nod home.

It was a wonderful start to the half but five minutes later Petr Janda fired into the side-netting to provide a sharp reminder of the Czech threat. Indeed, the balance of play swung as it has done in the Scots' previous matches as Gemmill's boys again seemed to succumb to the conditions.

Marek Junger was left with just McNeil to beat in the 64th minute but the Hibs keeper was alert and brave as he put in another fine block.

With 17 minutes left it should have been another for the Scots as Elliot released McGlinchey down the right and his cross found Snodgrass who delayed his shot for too long.

It was an excruciating end to yet another gallant display from the teenagers.

Seconds later, however, the agony was over and the celebrations could begin as Scotland prepared for their first championship final since 1982.

SCOTLAND - McNeil, Cave-Brown, Wallace, Cuthbert, Ferry, Elliot, Fletcher (Snodgrass 45) McGlinchey, Conroy (Dorrans 89) Cameron (Kenneth 78) Adams. Subs not used Kenneth, Fox, Gilmour, Reynolds.

Taken from the Daily Record