Mon, Sep 08, 2003 - Page 19 News List

France blanks Cyprus as Germany ends up in tie

EURO 2004 QUALIFIERS While most of Europe's soccer leaders won their matches, hosts Iceland embarassed the Germans with a draw. Beckham gave England a win

REUTERS , LONDON

The Netherlands secured at least a playoff spot in Rotterdam with a 3-1 win over Austria but, with the Czech Republic also winning 3-1 in their Group

Three match in Belarus, attention now switches to Wednesday's showdown between the two in Prague.

With both the Dutch and the Czechs on 16 points from six matches that game will decide who wins the group. There will also be a close finish to Group Seven after Turkey beat Liechtenstein 3-0 and England came from behind to beat Macedonia 2-1.

Turkey lead the group with 18 points, two points more than England, who should beat Liechtenstein on Wednesday at Old Trafford to move on to 19 points. England would then travel to Turkey in October needing just a draw to qualify.

Greece also moved closer to qualifying for the finals for the first time since 1980 when they won 1-0 in Armenia thanks to a first-half goal from Zisis Vryzas.

Greece, the real surprise in Group Six, only need to beat Northern Ireland, as expected, at home on October 11 to make certain of their place.

The Irish failed to score for the 11th successive match -- equalling the worst-ever run by a European country set by Liechtenstein between 2000 and 2002 -- but their 0-0 draw in Donetsk dented Ukraine's chances of reaching the playoffs. If Spain beat Ukraine at home on Wednesday then Greece and Spain will take the top two places.

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