Qualifying - 6th September Round Up

As predicted it was an eventful night with more goals than school football. The highlights include Germany's total destruction of San Marino, giving them the record in the European competition.

Northern Ireland's 3:2 victory over Spain was one of the shocks of the Euro 2008 qualifying rounds so far. Healy's hat-trick helped them come from behind twice and secure the well-deserved victory.

France 3:1 defeat of Italy also stood out. The early goal from Govou who took Saha's position gave Le Bleu some revenge following their World Cup defeat a couple of months ago.

Group A
This starting to look a very tight group with three teams:Finland, Serbia and Belgium on four points. On the night only one team secured full points - Belgium where van Buyten's headed goal was sufficient to beat last-placed Armenia.

Portugal only managed a 1-1 draw with Finland in their first Euro 2008 qualifying game and were also reduced to ten men when Ricardo Costa was set from the pitch.

The former Soviet nations of Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan could also only manage a draw.

Next Games: 07/10/2006
Portugal v Azerbaijan
Armenia v Finland
Serbia v Belgium
Kazakhstan v Poland

Group B
Other than France's win at home to the World Champions, Scotland had a well-deserved win away to the team who secured a draw against the under-performing Italian team.

Another previously-Soviet encounter saw Ukraine run out 3:2 winners over Georgia.

Next Games: 07/10/2006
Faroe Islands v Lithuania
Scotland v France
Italy v Ukraine

Group C
Norway defeated Bosnia 3:1 which resulted in the resignation of the Bosnian Coach. Norway went to the top of the group as they put two past Moldova.

Turkey only managed a two-nil victory at home to the island of Malta.

Next Games: 7/10/066
Hungary v Turkey
Moldova v Bosnia

Group D
Other than Germany'maulingng of tiny San Marinio, the powerful Czech Republic beat the former fellow nationals Slovakia 3:0.

Next Games: 7/10/06
Cyprus v Republic of Ireland
Wales v Slovakia
Czech Republic v San Marino

Group E
With England obtaining full points away to the very-handy Macedonians with a 1:0 victory.

England were joined at the top of the table with a 4-1 defeat of the lowly Andorra who registered their first goal in the Euro 2008 campaign.

Russia and Croatia who looked like they would be England's main rivals could only manage a 0:0 draw. This was a perfect result for the England-faithful as we still have difficult trips away to them and will lesson the need for full points.

Next Games: 7/10/06
Russia v Israel
Croatia v Andorra
England v Macedonia

Group F
This group is looking intriguing. Sweden are alone at the top with 6 points, while Denmark, Iceland, Northern Ireland and Spain have all registered one win to make the race for qualification interesting.

Denmark defeated Iceland who shocked Northern Ireland last time with a 2:0 scoreline with goals from Rommedahl and Jon Dahl Tomasson.

Sweden under-performed at home to Liechtensteinin only winning 3:1.

Next Games: 7/10/06
Latvia v Iceland
Denmark v Northern Ireland
Sweden v Spain

Group G
The Arsenal-ace van Persie scored for Holland against Belarus in a 3:0 victory.

Romania visited Albania and took full points back home with a 2:0 scoreline.

Bulgaria thrashed bottom of the table Slovenia 3:0 with three second-half goals.

Next Games: 6/10/06
Slovenia v Luxembourg
Bulgaria v Netherlands
Romania v Belarus