Greece, Czech Republic and Romania qualify for finals

• by Soccer America , Oct 18, 2007

[EURO 2008 QUALIFYING] Defending champion Greece, Czech Republic and Romania joined Germany and co-hosts Austria and Switzerland in the Euro 2008 finals next year after qualifying on Wednesday.

Greece earned a return trip to the finals with a 1-0 win over at neighbor Turkey thanks to a 79th-minute goal from striker Ioannis Amantidis. The loss left Turkey in third place behind Norway in Group C and needing to win in Oslo next month.

The Czechs crushed Germany, 3-0, on goals by Libor Sionko, Marek Matejovsky and Jaroslav Plasil just four days after the Germans had wrapped up one of the spots from Group D.

Romania won, 2-0, at Luxembourg on goals by Florentin Petre and Ciprian Marica. The Netherlands has a commanding lead on Bulgaria for the second spot in Group G.

Poland and Portugal lead Group A, while Sweden and Spain are in the driver's seat in Group F.

France and Croatia now lead Group B and Group F, respectively.

Click here for all group standings and schedules.