|
Laursen's late effort saves Denmark
(Agencies)
Updated: 2003-09-11 10:43
A goal five minutes into stoppage time by Martin Laursen earned Denmark a 2-2 home draw with Romania that secured at least a Euro 2004 qualification playoff slot and left Group Two still up for grabs on Wednesday.
A night of 20 qualifying matches began with seven teams in with a chance of booking their place in next year's finals in Portugal and nervous officials poised with calculators in hand.
The thrilling game in Copenhagen was typical of a night of desperation and frantic comparison of head-to-head records.
Romania, Denmark, Norway and Bosnia are all still in the hunt for top spot after Bosnia beat Luxembourg 1-0.
Goals from Adrian Mutu and Daniel Pancu had put Romania ahead after after Jon Dahl Tomasson's 35th-minute penalty opener for Denmark.
AC Milan defender Laursen's late effort meant though that both teams now have 14 points but while Romania have finished and must just sit and wait, the Danes can secure top spot with a draw from their final game in Bosnia.
Denmark are assured of at least a playoff slot courtesy of their head-to-head record against Romania and Norway.
However, a victory for Bosnia would give them the group and send them into their first major tournament finals.
Norway, at home to Luxembourg in their last game, would also get to 14 points with a win. Israel's hopes disappeared when they were held to a 2-2 home draw by Malta, who had lost all seven of their previous games in Group One.
That result meant that Slovenia are guaranteed at least a playoff place whatever happens in their home match against France later, where the defending champions need only a draw to top the group. Bulgaria are also assured of a playoff after beating Andorra 3-0 away to top Group Eight on 17 points.
Group Four is heading Sweden's way as they led Poland but Latvia are right back in the mix for second place after ending a two-game losing streak with a 3-1 home win over Hungary.
Two goals for Maris Verpakovskis and one for Imants Bleidelis took Latvia to 13 points and second place.
Hungary have 11 while Poland have 10 -- they meet on the last night when Latvia travel to Sweden.
Russia put themselves on course for a top-two finish by thrashing Group 10 leaders Switzerland 4-1 in Moscow.
A hat-trick by Dmitry Bulykin and one for Alexander Mostovoi turned the game after an Andrei Karyaka own goal had given the Swiss a 12th-minute lead.
Switzerland cling on to top spot on 12 points but have a tough final match against Ireland, who have 11. Russia also have 11 and end at home to Georgia, who beat them 1-0 earlier in qualifying.
Euro 2004 hosts Portugal, beaten 3-0 at home by Spain last Saturday, got back to winning ways as a Pauleta goal after eight minutes was enough to beat Norway 1-0 in Oslo.
|
