European Championship Scores
Poland,France,Germany,Greece, Romania Remain on Course for Euro 2008
The latest qualification games for next year's European Championships have seen Poland, France, Germany,Greece and Romania consolidate their top places in the groups.
Another series of European Championship qualification games has seen the top countries consolidate their position with most teams having five or six matches to play.
The battle for qualification for Euro 2008 from Group A has developed into a four nation contest. Leaders Poland unexpectedly lost by a single goal in Armenia, only their second defeat in the qualifying games. They have now played nine games, two more than their closest rivals Serbia and Portugal who did not play in this round of games. Portugal have nineteen points, five more than Serbia, Portugal and Finland who have played eight matches. Finland ensured their continuing hold on fourth place with a two goal success over Belgium who have lost any opportunity for qualification.
Group B:
In Group B leaders France retained their top position with a home win over Georgia, a first half goal from Nasri securing the victory. Italy and Scotland maintained their challenge with away wins. Italy won in Lithuania through two first half goals scored by Quagliarella and two goals in four minutes midway through the first half ensured Scotland’s success. Maloney and O’Connor scored the goals which lay aside Scotland’s previous embarrassment against the Faroe Islands when they struggled to earn a draw in two previous qualification encounters. France on eighteen points hold a two point advantage over Italy who are a point better off than Scotland. Ukraine remain a further three points behind with one extra game to play.
Another four way battle for European Championship qualification in Group C has Greece on top, five points ahead of their three contenders, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Turkey and Norway who are all on thirteen points. It took a last minute goal for Greece to secure victory against Moldova. Having taken the lead after half an hour, Moldova surprised Greece by equalising with ten minutes remaining but Liberopoulos saved them with his late winner. Bosnia-Herzegovina secured a one goal win over Malta, scoring after six minutes and retaining the advantage throughout. Norway had a comfortable 4-0 win over Hungary with Steffan Iversen, the former Tottenham Hotspur striker, giving them the half-time advantage before three second half goals, with two from Joe Carew, ensuring their success.
Group D:
In Group D, Germany strengthened their position with victory over Slovakia. Klose put them ahead after ten minutes. The visitors levelled ten minutes late before Hitzlsperger scored late in the first half. Germany have a five point advantage over the Czech Republic with the Republic of Ireland a further point away.
Group E: England defeat Estonia.
Group F: Sweden take top spot.
Group G:
In Group G three teams are striving for qualification. Romania and Bulgaria took advantage of Holland’s non-participation in this series of games to consolidate their own positions. Romania are top of the group with seventeen points after their two goal home win over Slovenia. A goal in each half from Adrian Mutu and Contra secured their win while Bulgaria moved above Holland after their success over Belarus. Finding themselves a goal behind after five minutes, a penalty, Bulgaria equalised five minutes later through Martin Petrov and secured the three points when Yankov scored with five minutes of the first half remaining.
The next games on the road to next year’s European Championships will be played on 22nd August with most of the vital deciding games to be played during the autumn.
