Euro 2008 Qualifying Group G Table

Team	P	W	D	L	F	A	PTS
Romania	12	9	2	1	26	7	29
Holland	12	8	2	2	15	5	26
Bulgaria	12	7	4	1	18	7	25
Belarus	12	4	1	7	17	23	13
Albania	12	2	5	5	12	18	11
Slovenia	12	3	2	7	9	16	11
Luxembourg	12	1	0	11	2	23	3

Euro 2008 Qualifying Group G Fixtures

02/09/06	Romania	2 v 2	Bulgaria
	Rosu 40, Marica 55		Petrov 82, 84
02/09/06	Belarus	2 v 2	Albania
	Kalachev 2, Romashchenko24		Skela 7 (pen), Hasi 86
02/09/06	Luxembourg	0 v 1	Holland
			Mathijsen 18
06/09/06	Albania	0 v 2	Romania
			Dica 65, Mutu (pen) 75
06/09/06	Holland	3 v 0	Belarus
	Van Persie 33, 78, Kuyt 90+
06/09/06	Bulgaria	3 v 0	Slovenia
	Bojinov 58, Petrov 72, Telkiiski 81
07/10/06	Romania	3 v 1	Belarus
	Mutu 7, Marica 10, Goian 76		Kornilenko 20
07/10/06	Bulgaria	1 v 1	Holland
	Petrov 12		Van Persie 62
07/10/06	Slovenia	2 v 0	Luxembourg
	Novakovic 30, Koren 44
11/10/06	Belarus	4 v 2	Slovenia
	Kovba 23, Kornilenko 52, 60, Korytko 85		Cesar 23, Lavric 43
11/10/06	Luxembourg	0 v 1	Bulgaria
			Tunchev 26
11/10/06	Holland	2 v 1	Albania
	Van Persie 15, Beqaj (o.g) 42		Curri 67
24/03/07	Holland	0 v 0	Romania
24/03/07	Luxembourg	1 v 2	Belarus
	Sagramola 68		Kalachev 25, Kutuzov 54
24/03/07	Albania	0 v 0	Slovenia
28/03/07	Romania	3 v 0	Luxembourg
	Mutu 26, Contra 56, Marica 90
28/03/07	Slovenia	0 v 1	Holland
			Van Bronckhorst 86
28/03/07	Bulgaria	0 v 0	Albania
02/06/07	Slovenia	1 v 2	Romania
	Vrsic 90 +		Tamas 52, Nicolita 69
02/06/07	Albania	2 v 0	Luxembourg
	Kapllani 38, Haxhi 57
02/06/07	Belarus	0 v 2	Bulgaria
			Berbatov 28, 46
06/06/07	Romania	2 v 0	Slovenia
	Mutu 40, Contra 70
06/06/07	Luxembourg	0 v 3	Albania
			Skela 25, Kapllani 36, 72
06/06/07	Bulgaria	2 v 1	Belarus
	Petrov 10, Yankov 40		Vasiluk 5 (pen)
08/09/07	Belarus	1 v 3	Romania
	Romashchenko 20		Mutu 16, 77 (pen), Dica 42
08/09/07	Holland	2 v 0	Bulgaria
	Sneijder 23, Van Nistelrooy 58
08/09/07	Luxembourg	0 v 3	Slovenia
			Lavric 7, 47, Novakovic 37
12/09/07	Slovenia	1 v 0	Belarus
	Lavric 3 (pen)
12/09/07	Bulgaria	3 v 0	Luxembourg
	Berbatov 27, 28, Petrov 54 (pen)
12/09/07	Albania	0 v 1	Holland
			Van Nistelrooy 90+
13/10/07	Romania	1 v 0	Holland
	Goian 71
13/10/07	Belarus	0 v 1	Luxembourg
			Leweck 90+
13/10/07	Slovenia	0 v 0	Albania
17/10/07	Luxembourg	0 v 2	Romania
			Petre 42, Marica 61
17/10/07	Holland	2 v 0	Slovenia
	Sneijder 14, Huntelaar 88
17/10/07	Albania	1 v 1	Bulgaria
	Kishishev 32 (o.g)		Berbatov 87
17/11/07	Bulgaria	1 v 0	Romania
	Dimitrov 6
17/11/07	Holland	1 v 0	Luxembourg
	Koevermans 43
17/11/07	Albania	2 v 4	Belarus
	Bogdani 39, Kapllani 43		Romaschenko 28, 63 (pen), Kutuzov 46, 54
21/11/07	Romania	6 v 1	Albania
	Dica 22, 73 (pen), Tamas 53, Niculae 64, 66, Marica 71 (pen)		Kapllani 65
21/11/07	Belarus	2 v 1	Holland
	Bulyga 49, Korytko 65		Van der Vaart 89
21/11/07	Slovenia	0 v 2	Bulgaria
			Georgiev 81, Berbatov 84

Last edited by berni23 on Thu Nov 22, 2007 2:32 pm; edited 10 times in total

EURO 2008: GROUP G

Bulgaria came from a goal down to extend their unbeaten start to UEFA EURO 2008 qualifying to seven games with a 2-1 victory against Belarus in Sofia.

Yankov winner
Dimitar Berbatov scored twice to secure a comfortable 2-0 triumph when these teams met four days ago in Minsk but hopes of a repeat were quickly dashed at the Vasil Levski National Stadium. Just five minutes had gone when Aleksandr Hleb was upended in the penalty area by goalkeeper Dimitar Ivankov and Roman Vasilyuk made no mistake from the spot. The hosts responded swiftly, levelling through a Martin Petrov free-kick before Chavdar Yankov completed the turnaround five minutes from half-time as Stanimir Stoilov's men leapfrogged the Netherlands into second place in Group G.

Dream start
The fightback showed the growing belief in this Bulgaria side, who remain two points behind section leaders Romania. Belarus, meanwhile, saw their slender qualifying chances all but ended though expectations would have been high when Vasilyuk secured a dream start. This only served to awaken the home team from their torpor, however, and the deficit lasted just five minutes before Hristo Yovov was brought down 25 metres from goal. Ever the Bulgaria talisman, Martin Petrov fired in the free-kick and from then on, there was one likely winner.

Rubber-stamped
Yankov duly put the local favourites in the box seat before the interval, collecting Dimitar Telkiyski's pass and shooting past Yuri Zhevnov. There would be no way back for the visitors, although Ivankov was tested by a header from substitute Vitali Kutuzov midway through the second period. At the other end, Martin Petrov almost made it 3-1 with another set-piece late on and if this time Zhevnov was equal to it, it mattered not as Bulgaria claimed back-to-back wins.
-Mutu fires Romania to top spot

Adrian Mutu was at his scheming best as Romania completed back-to-back victories against Slovenia in Timisoara to move two points clear at the Group G summit.

Mutu header
Victor Piturca's team had been forced to wait until seven minutes into the second half before breaking the deadlock in the reverse UEFA EURO 2008™ fixture on Saturday and history looked to be repeating itself as Romania were initially kept at bay. Mutu eventually made the breakthrough five minutes before half-time though, rising virtually unchallenged to head in Paul Codrea's pinpoint cross. It was little more than the home side's dominance deserved, yet it was not until 20 minutes from time that Cosmin Contra sealed the win, meeting Mutu's corner and beating Samir Handanovič with an exquisite volley.


Romania - Slovenia EURO 2008
Uploaded by florin666


Blistering start
It secured a victory that always seemed on the cards when, with the first whistle still reverberating, Mutu was sent clear. Handanovič did well to parry the ACF Fiorentina forward's half-volley but Slovenia were all at sea and Mutu should have scored 60 seconds later when he failed to connect with Florentin Petre's low cross. The visitors slowly began to gain a foothold yet this would prove a false dawn as the hosts stepped up a gear on the half-hour.

Romanian pressure
Dorin Goian missed a fine chance when he contrived to direct a point-blank header against the crossbar before Mutu finally ended Slovenia's resistance. The goal caused extravagant dancing on the Romania bench, which might have become more energetic had Handanovič not kept out efforts from Ciprian Marica and Ianis Zicu soon after. Andrej Komac squandered a decent opportunity at the other end following the restart, though Slovenia never really threatened an equaliser, and Contra rubber-stamped the win in style.

IN THE OTHER GROUP MACTH:
-Luxembourg 0 - 3 Albania

Bulgaria can still qualify if we just make no mistakes, but i think that we will do it. The new coach is the one who made us 4-th. in 1994 - Dimitar Penev.

Is there a big rivality between Bulgaria and Romania.
Like between Germany and the Netherlands?

Or is there another country you "hate" more?

Cheers
Fan Camp

no. there is actually nothing more but a sport rivality. Bulgarians don't hate Romania and romanians :). I hope that the new coach at least will make of the current team one good squad but i don't think we will be able to beat Holland even if this is the only chance to continue in the tournament.

Netherlands 2-0 Bulgaria

The Netherlands ended Bulgaria's unbeaten run in UEFA EURO 2008™ Group G and moved into second place thanks to goals from Real Madrid CF duo Wesley Sneijder and Ruud van Nistelrooy.

Vital win
Romania's 3-1 win in Belarus earlier in the day had kept them at the group summit, as one of three undefeated teams alongside tonight's opponents in Amsterdam. So the eventual Dutch victory not only preserved their status but also lifted them into a qualifying position, two points above Bulgaria with a game in hand.

Tactics pay off
Oranje coach Marco van Basten had opted for an adventurous three-pronged attack of Robin van Persie, Ryan Babel and Van Nistelrooy, the third-mentioned making his first competitive appearance since the FIFA World Cup. It was his club-mate Sneijder who broke the deadlock though, replicating his fine form for Madrid since his summer move from AFC Ajax with a 20-metre free-kick into the bottom left-hand corner, to mark a happy return to the Amsterdam ArenA.

Doubling up
Bulgaria, in their first group game since Dimitar Penev's comeback as coach, were having little joy up front – they did not have a real chance until early in the second half when Dimitar Berbatov's shot fizzed wide. The Netherlands duly doubled their lead when Babel's cross found Van Nistelrooy, who celebrated his return to the side by sweeping a shot past goalkeeper Dimitar Ivankov and into the bottom corner.

Wednesday trip
Although Clarence Seedorf, a late substitute for Sneijder, rattled the Bulgaria woodwork in the 77th minute, the 2-0 scoreline was sufficient and the Dutch remain within three points of Romania. It is a gap they can close on Wednesday when they visit Albania with the leaders not in action. Bulgaria will attempt to revive their campaign at home to Luxembourg.

Luxembourg 0-3 Slovenia

Klemen Lavrič scored twice as Slovenia won 3-0 at the Josy Barthel Stadium in Luxembourg to all but condemn the home side to bottom place in Group G.

Double
Lavrič struck early in each half, his opener coming on seven minutes from the first chance of the match, while Milivoje Novakovič added another first-half goal as Slovenia completed the double over Luxembourg. The hosts remain without a point from eight games, seven points behind today's opponents.

Home chances
Novakovič created the first, crossing from the left for his strike partner, Lavrič, to pounce at the far post. Luxembourg sought a swift reply but Mario Mutsch shot straight at Samir Handanovič and Daniel Huss over the bar. Having kept out a Dare Vršič free-kick, home goalkeeper Jonathan Joubert was beaten for a second time on 37 minutes: Novakovič eluded the offside trap, collected a pass from Robert Koren and made no mistake.

Quick strike
Although an away victory was never in doubt, Lavrič added gloss to the scoreline 70 seconds into the second half by arrowing a header into the top corner. The forward missed a presentable chance to round off his hat-trick in added time, when Slovenia's work was already done.

Belarus 1-3 Romania

Adrian Mutu scored twice as Romania won in Belarus to strengthen their lead in UEFA EURO 2008™ qualifying Group G.

First place
One of three unbeaten teams in the section at kick-off, Romania were hoping to consolidate first place as they will sit out Wednesday's fixtures. Mutu opened the scoring 16 minutes in and although Maksim Romashchenko equalised, Nicolae Dică struck before the break and the ACF Fiorentina forward confirmed the victory late on from the penalty spot.

Swift equaliser
If it was a slow start to the game, it burst into life on the quarter-hour when Romashchenko fired over the bar. Seconds later Romania were celebrating after a swift attack was finished off by Mutu into the bottom left-hand corner. Belarus responded with Vladimir Korythko shooting wide and they were soon level: Aleksandr Hleb setting up Romashchenko to shoot in.

Back ahead
Romania reacted well, Mutu forcing Vasili Khomutovski into a smart save and the No10 went close again just before the half-hour. Cristian Chivu also threatened a goal but it was Dică who restored the advantage on 42 minutes when he headed in Petre Marin's right-wing cross.

Belarus respond
Belarus began the second half well with Romashchenko's effort being blocked by Marin while, on 64 minutes, a Timofei Kalachev attempt produced a fine parry from Romania goalkeeper Bogdan Lobont. Sensing they were losing their grip on proceedings, Romania upped the tempo and Mutu's header was kept out by Khomutovski, who then watched a Paul Codrea shot fly wide.

Penalty clincher
Mutu was again frustrated by the goalkeeper on 73 minutes but not long afterwards he was brought down by Khomutovski and picked himself up to convert the resulting penalty. Romania are now well-placed for the 13 October visit of the Netherlands while Belarus, in fifth, go to Slovenia on Wednesday.

Albania 1-0 Netherlands

Ruud van Nistelrooy's injury-time strike gave the Netherlands a win in Albania that moves them to within sight of the UEFA EURO 2008™ qualifying Group G summit.

Romania showdown
With Albania down to ten men, Van Nistelrooy produced a timely effort to follow up the goal in Saturday's 2-0 win against Bulgaria which had marked his first competitive appearance since the 2006 FIFA World Cup. Now the Netherlands are level with fellow unbeaten side Romania at the top of the group, with the pair to meet on 13 October.

Opening exchanges
The visitors had started brightly with Wesley Sneijder and Van Nistelrooy just off target in the opening exchanges. But Albania also enjoyed their share of possession early on and Edmond Kapllani saw his seventh-minute header blocked.

Under pressure
Soon the Netherlands were in command and Albania goalkeeper Arian Beqaj did well to keep out Van Nistelrooy's powerful drive. At the other end, Erion Bogdani shot wide from outside the area in a rare Albania attack. Beqaj was called into action once more by a curling Sneijder attempt, before Robin van Persie and Ryan Babel also went close before the break. It was Oranje No1 Edwin van der Sar who was on the receiving end at the beginning of the second period. First he was tested by Bogdani's fierce drive, then he had to work to deny Lorik Cana's close-range effort.

Winner
But the Netherlands were still on top, with Sneijder dictating play. His volley elicited another Beqaj save, before the goalkeeper also left Van Persie frustrated. Yet with the clock running down, and the Netherlands seemingly out of ideas, Cana was sent off on 87 minutes and the reinvigorated visitors made the extra man pay – Van Nistelrooy making no mistake from Giovanni van Bronckhorst's cross.


Bulgaria 3-0 Luxembourg

Dimitar Berbatov scored two goals in as many first-half minutes as Bulgaria beat Luxembourg 3-0 to keep themselves in UEFA EURO 2008™ Group G qualifying contention.

Petrov penalty
The Tottenham Hotspur FC striker was in menacing mood throughout at Sofia's Vasil Levski National Stadium, and had threatened Jonathan Joubert's goal several times before sending the keeper into the back of his net to retrieve the ball on 27 minutes. Sixty seconds later Joubert was forced to repeat the feat after being lobbed by Berbatov and Bulgaria coasted from then on, Martin Petrov completing the scoring from the penalty spot nine minutes after half-time.

Berbatov menace
The win took Dimitar Penev's team within two points of the Group G summit and the only surprise was that the margin of victory was not greater. Berbatov had warmed Joubert's gloves as early as the fifth minute when he met Ivelin Popov's cross with a header and, after firing wide from distance soon after, the No9 then aimed an overhead-kick straight at the custodian. He finally got his goal before the half-hour when he nodded in Stilian Petrov's free-kick from close range – and he did not have to wait long for another, leaving Joubert standing with a fine lob.

Joubert heroics
Berbatov turned provider when he crossed for Martin Petrov but the Manchester City FC winger's volley flew over. The second half began in similar vein, with Stilian Petrov prompting a stop from Joubert, and it was soon 3-0. After Berbatov was fouled by Eric Hoffmann in the box, Martin Petrov converted from the spot. Berbatov, Stanislav Angelov and Chavdar Yankov all had opportunities to extend the advantage and though Joubert denied them all, it mattered not.


Slovenia 1-0 Belarus

Slovenia had to resist a brave second-half display from ten-man Belarus to secure a 1-0 Group G win in Celje.

Lavrič penalty
An early penalty from Klemen Lavrič earned the points while Belarus had Artyom Radkov sent off for two bookable offences inside two second-half minutes. Pavel Plaskonny fouled Lavrič inside the box to give the home side their penalty three minutes into the match; the striker took the responsibility, planting a firm shot past Vladimir Gaev for his fourth goal of the qualifying campaign.

Under pressure
Valter Birsa was next to try his luck for the hosts, his speculative effort from 20 metres drifting past the left upright. Dalibor Stevanovič also set his sights from distance but his shot was well claimed by Gaev. Belarus were struggling to deal with the Slovenia wide men, Birsa and Andraž Kirm; it was Kirm who gave them a scare as he cut in from the left and let fly a strike from the corner of the area that grazed the bar.

Closer contest
Belarus began to threaten themselves through Timofei Kalachev, whose runs down the right and centre were troubling the home defence. First he had an attempt on goal which soared over the woodwork before his cross caused Slovenia to concede a throw-in in their danger zone. That found Sergei Kornilenko whose low shot was smothered by Slovenia No1 Samir Handanovič at his near post.

Captain sent off
Although Radkov was dismissed on 70 minutes for two fouls in quick succession, his team continued to push forward and nearly equalised when Dare Vršič brought down Kalachev on the edge of the box; Vladimir Korythko's free-kick being adeptly saved by Handanovič. Slovenia's Milivoje Novakovič then struck the bar against the run of play as his side held on for a victory which takes them three points clear of their opponents, into fourth place in the pool.

UEFA EURO 2008™ qualifying Group G

Romania 1-0 Netherlands

Dorin Goian's goal gave Romania a narrow victory against the Netherlands which took Victor Piturca's side three points clear of their opponents at the top of UEFA EURO 2008™ qualifying Group G.

Opportunist finish
The FC Steaua Bucureşti defender tapped in with 19 minutes remaining at the Farul Stadium in Constanta, capitalising after Netherlands goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg had palmed out Paul Codrea's header. The win takes Romania to 23 points with three games to play; their next fixture comes in Luxembourg on Wednesday, when the Dutch host Slovenia.

Cautious opening
The opening 20 minutes were a cagey affair, with neither team willing to commit men forward and both content to try their luck from long range. Demy de Zeeuw's drive flew just too high for the visitors while Cristian Chivu's free-kick flashed centimetres wide of Stekelenburg's right-hand post. The first genuine chance was carved out by the Oranje though, when Rafael van der Vaart's left-wing corner was met by Wilfred Bouma whose header clipped the top of the crossbar.

Goalkeepers in action
Again, Marco van Basten's men might have taken the lead in the 34th minute but goalkeeper Bogdan Lobont was equal to Ruud van Nistelrooy's smart shot after the striker had turned cleverly inside the area. Romania began the second half at a livelier tempo, however, and Stekelenburg was called upon to make an acrobatic save to touch over a dipping long-distance shot from Adrian Mutu.

Goian glee
The keeper was finally beaten in the 71st minute when Chivu's left-wing free-kick was flicked on by Codrea – although Stekelenburg brilliantly saved the midfielder's effort, the ball fell kindly for Goian to prod in. The Netherlands pressed forward in search of an equaliser and almost found one in the final seconds. Lobont could only punch Clarence Seedorf's set-piece as far as the lurking Van der Vaart, who placed his shot past the keeper only for the outside of the upright to come to Romania's rescue.


Slovenia 0-0 Albania

Slovenia and Albania played out a goalless draw in UEFA EURO 2008™ qualifying Group G – a result that keeps the home side one point above their opponents in the table.

Stalemate
With qualification for the finals out of reach for both teams before kick-off, neither side threatened the opposition goal on a regular basis with most of the danger coming from long-range efforts and set-pieces.

Best moments
Slovenia's captain Klemen Lavrič, who had scored three times in the last two qualifiers, came closest to breaking the deadlock in the first half with a deflected header from a free-kick, but this was easily held by visiting keeper Arian Beqaj. Albania's best moment of the opening period had come earlier, when a promising move down the right resulted in an Erion Bogdani shot which was comfortably collected by Slovenia stopper Samir Handanovič.

Goalkeepers untroubled
The second half followed a similar pattern to the first with both custodians being largely untroubled as the two teams laboured to create clear-cut openings. Albania's Klodian Duro tried to make an impact with an attempted overhead kick from six metres yet he failed to make sufficient contact to worry Handanovič.

Late chances
Beqaj warmed his hands at the other end of the pitch minutes later, parrying to safety Valter Birsa's free-kick for Slovenia, while Albania's Nevil Dede curled the ball wide from Ervin Skela's outswinging corner three minutes from time. However, neither side could do enough to merit a goal and the result replicated the first meeting between these countries in qualifying – another stalemate.


Belarus 0-1 Luxembourg

Luxembourg claimed their first competitive victory since 1995 after substitute Fons Leweck struck in the 95th minute for the only goal of the game in Belarus.

Last gasp
As well as being enough to beat Group G rivals Belarus, Leweck's stoppage-time strike ended a run of 55 successive defeats for Luxembourg in European qualifying competitions. Leweck made history by heading in a René Peters cross from close range in the dying seconds.

Qualifying joy
Guy Hellers' team had barely looked like securing their first win in a UEFA European Championship or FIFA World Cup qualifier since the 1-0 success in Malta back in September 1995. But Bernd Stange's home side failed to turn a rash of half-chances into a lead in the match in Gomel.

Lame attempts
Andrei Voronkov shot straight at Luxembourg keeper Jonathan Joubert on 23 minutes, before Aleksei Skverniuk sent a wayward effort over. In response, the visitors, who had lost the reverse fixture 2-1 in March, offered only a tame strike by Joël Kitenge. The second half saw no real improvement from either attack, with Belarus unable to take advantage of a couple of corners.

No end product
Increasingly, though, Luxembourg were on the back foot and Benoit Lang was booked on 71 minutes for time-wasting. Yet there was little end product to Belarus's possession despite the promptings of Aleksandr Hleb and company. Joubert did have to deny Maksim Romashchenko's shot from outside the area, but the real goalmouth drama arrived only in stoppage time.

UEFA EURO 2008™ qualifying Group G

Luxembourg 0-2 Romania

Romania secured their place at UEFA EURO 2008™ with a comfortable victory against Group G strugglers Luxembourg.

Long wait
Goals in either half from Florentin Petre and Ciprian Marica sealed the win for Victor Piturca's side, who can now start planning for their first major tournament since UEFA EURO 2000™. Romania faced a wait after the match to learn if Bulgaria, who had started the night third in the section, could win in Albania, but they were rejoicing with the news of a 1-1 draw in Tirana.

Home confidence
The visitors were quickly into their stride and took the game to their opponents, who were full of confidence having recorded their first competitive success in 12 years against Belarus at the weekend. Nicolae Dică blazed an early effort wide as Romania sought to take control. Dică was involved again moments later, first shooting wide before testing the reflexes of home goalkeeper Stéphane Gillet with a free-kick.


All goal Luxemburg-Romania 0-2 www.onlinepariuri.com
Uploaded by danyab

In control
Dorin Goian then squandered another chance to put Romania ahead before Piturca's men finally made the breakthrough after 42 minutes. VfB Stuttgart striker Marica was the provider with a cross that Petre converted to send his side into an interval lead. After the break, it was a similar pattern of play to the first half as Romania continued to make the running, with Gillet being called into action to deal with a Daniel Niculae attempt. Niculae then turned supplier, setting up the second goal with a cross from the left for Marica to score with the easiest of finishes.

The Netherlands 2-0 Slovenia

The Netherlands are one win away from claiming a place at UEFA EURO 2008™ after goals from Wesley Sneijder and Klaas Jan Huntelaar earned victory against Slovenia in Eindhoven.

Injury concerns
Sneijder opened the scoring on 14 minutes before Huntelaar made sure of the points with two minutes to play. With Bulgaria being held to a 1-1 draw by Albania, Marco van Basten's men only need to beat Luxembourg on 17 November to join Romania from Group G at next summer's tournament. Things did not entirely go the hosts' way, however, as Rafael van der Vaart, Robin van Persie and Arjen Robben left the field injured.

Sneijder strikes
The Oranje dominated early on and went ahead when Sneijder turned in Huntelaar's pass from 12 metres. Sneijder almost doubled his tally soon after but his left-foot shot came back off the post. Slovenia had their first chance on 24 minutes when Maarten Stekelenburg, deputising for the injured Edwin van der Sar, saved well from Branko Ilič. Robben had again been left out by coach Van Basten but the Real Madrid CF winger got his opportunity when Van der Vaart limped off.

Huntelaar scores
The Netherlands continued to press after the interval and came close to a second in the 53rd minute when Robben crossed for Huntelaar, only for Mitja Mörec to block the AFC Ajax striker's attempt. The home team suffered a double injury setback when Arsenal FC forward Van Persie had to be replaced by André Ooijer and three minutes later Robben went off injured with Ryan Babel coming on. Sneijder had a free-kick saved by Samir Handanovič in the 70th minute before the Netherlands eventually put the game beyond doubt when Huntelaar converted Clarence Seedorf's cross with two minutes to go.

Group G
The Netherlands' 1-0 home victory over Luxembourg ensured they cannot be caught by third-placed Bulgaria, who remain four points behind the top two despite beating an already qualified Romania side 1-0.

Romania sign off in style

Romania 6-1 Albania

Romania completed their UEFA EURO 2008™ qualifying campaign in style with a comprehensive victory over nine-man Albania to finish top of Group G.

Second-half rout
After taking a first-half lead through Nicolae Dică, Romania scored five goals in a 20-minute second-half spell. Gabriel Tamas put the home side 2-0 up on 53 minutes before Debatik Curri was dismissed. Daniel Niculae added Romania's third and though substitute Edmond Kapllani pulled one back for Albania, Romania countered with further strikes from Niculae, Ciprian Marica and Dică, who registered his second from the penalty spot after Nevil Dede had been shown a second yellow card for bringing down Marica.

Tamas strikes
Romania started well and their pressure told on 22 minutes when Razvan Cocis crossed from the right to Dică who converted from close range. Albania almost equalised at the beginning of the second half when Kapllani centred for Erion Bogdani, but his attempt was superbly saved by Bogdan Lobont. Romania doubled their lead shortly after when Tamas drilled a low free-kick from 30 metres through a crowded area and into the bottom right corner.

Curri off
Albania's problems intensified on 61 minutes when Curri was sent off for a foul on Marica and three minutes later, before Albania could regroup, Dică chipped towards the far post where an unmarked Niculae shot powerfully into the roof of the net. Almost straight from the restart Albania gave themselves a glimmer of hope when Altin Haxhi played the ball into substitute Kapllani on the edge of the box and he turned his marker before finishing well.

Romania vs Albania 6-1

Group winners
Romania, however, extinguished that hope in ruthless fashion on 66 minutes. Cocis broke down the right and laid the ball across for Niculae to tap in. With 19 minutes remaining, Dede impeded Răzvan Raţ and Marica sent goalkeeper Arian Beqaj the wrong way to make it 5-1. Two minutes later Dede was penalised again for another foul in the area on Marica. Dede was red-carded and Dică stepped up to fire in the penalty. Romania top their group on 29 points, three above the Netherlands, as Victor Piturca's men progressed to their first major tournament since UEFA EURO 2000™. The match was the last to be played at Bucharest's Lia Manoliu Stadium, which will be demolished to make way for a new five-star arena to be opened in April 2010.

Belarus 2-1 Netherlands

Second-half goals from Vitali Bulyga and Vladimir Korythko ensured Belarus ended their UEFA EURO 2008™ campaign with a famous win against the Netherlands in Minsk.

Qualification assured
The visitors had secured their place at next summer's finals with a 1-0 weekend defeat of Luxembourg, but this result left Marco van Basten's side in second place in Group G behind Romania. Belarus, meanwhile, climbed from sixth position at kick-off to fourth on 13 points, two above Albania and Slovenia.

Enterprising opening
The Netherlands started strongly at the Dinamo Stadium, with Danny Koevermans and Ryan Babel both missing the target when well-placed although visiting keeper Maarten Stekelenburg had to parry a Korythko shot and Aleksandr Hleb fired wide. It was Van Basten's team though – who had scored only 14 goals in their eleven fixtures, one less than their opponents – who were creating the better openings. Yegor Filipenko blocked another Babel effort, while Rafael van der Vaart and Wilfred Bouma tried their luck from distance.

Belarus in front
Maksim Romashchenko served notice of Belarus's threat in the closing seconds of the first period, and the Netherlands failed to heed the warning. The Oranje duly fell behind four minutes into the second half as Bulyga collected Korythko's through ball and slid a low shot past Stekelenburg. Although Giovanni van Bronckhorst and Van der Vaart hinted at an equaliser, Aleksei Skverniuk's powerful long-range drive almost doubled the hosts' lead and a second goal was not long in arriving. It was Korythko who curled it in from the edge of the area following Bulyga's pass.

Superb finish
Koevermans and Van der Vaart both spurned half-chances and the luckless Babel struck the crossbar, yet it was not until the 89th minute that the Netherlands finally unpicked the Belarus defence. Van der Vaart produced a superb finish, neatly chipping Yuri Zhevnov for a consolation goal as Bernd Stange's men held on for a morale-boosting victory.

Slovenia 0-2 Bulgaria

Late goals from Blagoy Georgiev and Dimitar Berbatov ensured Bulgaria ended their UEFA EURO 2008™ campaign with a victory that left them one point off the qualifying places.

Jokič dismissed
Romania and the Netherlands had already secured the two available berths from Group G, with Bulgaria's hopes being finally extinguished last Saturday. Slovenia were reduced to ten men when Bojan Jokič was dismissed moments before half-time and Bulgaria eventually wore down the hosts to seal victory with two goals in the final nine minutes.

Early chances
Both sides had chances in the early stages. Slovenia goalkeeper Samir Handanovič did well to collect Velizar Dimitrov's early header after he had connected with Martin Petrov's cross. At the other end, Andraž Kirm's shot was blocked by Zhivko Milanov and Jokič's long-range effort was kept out by goalkeeper Dimitar Ivankov. Klemen Lavrič's overhead kick following a corner also came close.

Handanovič saves
The momentum swung Bulgaria's way shortly before half-time when Jokič was sent off for pulling back Hristo Yovov as he bore down on goal. Handanovič easily dealt with Martin Petrov's subsequent free-kick, but Bulgaria would ultimately make their advantage tell.

Late flurry
Early in the second half Handanovič saved Yovov's angled shot then kept out Aleksandar Tunchev's header as the visiting team pressed. On 81 minutes Bulgaria finally made the breakthrough as Georgiev put his side in front with a volley. The points were made safe three minutes after that when Berbatov converted from close range after good play from Dimitrov.