The teams which had previously kept clean sheets all conceded points. At the half-way mark of the UEFA EURO 2008™ qualifications, the top few of the 50 participating national teams dropped points. There were two competition days on March 24 and 28 in the race for the finals in Austria and Switzerland next year, after which many officials breathed easier. The Italian FIFA World Cup™ champions improved their position, as did FIFA World Cup™ finalists France, Spain, and European runners-up Portugal, with all now having firmer sights set on participation at the UEFA EURO 2008™ finals after weak starts. FIFA World Cup™ bronze medallists Germany won their top match against the Czech Republic. England’s 3-0 victory in Andorra was a welcome relief after the “Lions” had managed only a goalless draw in Israel three days earlier.

According to the latest standings, taking into account matches played and points gained, the following countries should compete in the finals, although this survey is disregarded by some as not all teams in the various groups have played the same number of matches. However, it gives a clue to the balance of power: Poland, Portugal (Group A), Ukraine, France (B), Turkey, Greece (C), Germany, Czech Republic (D), Croatia, Russia (E), Northern Ireland, Sweden (F), Netherlands and Romania (G) all stand a good chance of fighting for the continental title together with host countries Austria and Switzerland.

The former UEFA European or FIFA World Cup™ champions Italy (B), England (E), Spain and Denmark (both F) will have to improve somewhat before the conclusion of the qualification period on November 21 in order to overtake their currently leading competitors.

Two outsiders’ victories provided the topics of interest in Group A. Kazakhstan surprisingly defeated Serbia 2-1, then Azerbaijan recorded their first qualifying win by beating Finland 1-0. It was the first defeat for the Finns. Poland consolidated their top position with two wins at home over Azerbaijan (5-0) and Armenia (1-0) to take their points tally from seven matches to 16. After a 4-0 win over Belgium and a 1-1 draw in Serbia, Portugal climbed to second position on goal difference ahead of Serbia and Finland. They all have 11 points.

The battle in Group B remains exciting. After a 2-0 win in the Faroes and then 1-0 over Lithuania, Ukraine took top position with 12 points, followed by Scotland, who recorded a 2-1 over Georgia but lost 2-0 away to Italy. Like Ukraine and Scotland, the French have also collected 12 points from just five matches after defeating Lithuania 1-0 away. Italy hold fourth position with 10 points from five matches.

Arch rivals Turkey and Greece are proving more superior than expected in Group C. Norway, anticipated as a country to reach the European finals, suffered a surprising 2-1 defeat at home to Bosnia-Herzegovina, while Turkey won the top match 4-1 against Greece in Athens. The reigning UEFA European champions hit back with their claim for a place in the finals with an arduous 1-0 penalty victory in Malta. The Turks conceded their first points in the fifth match with a 2-2 draw against Norway, the match being played in Frankfurt on Main, Germany.

In Group D everything has yet to be decided. The Czechs, at home in Prague, suffered their first defeat by losing the top match 2-1 to Germany. Ireland extended their winning streak to four successive wins by beating both Wales and Slovakia (under their new coach Kocian) 1-0 at home, despite two unimpressive performances. Thus Germany, the Czech Republic and Ireland all boast 13 points. But the German 2002 FIFA World Cup™ finalists have played only five matches, while the Czechs who had difficulties beating Cyprus 1-0 away have completed six, and the Irish seven.

In Group E the situation is similar to Group A. Croatia still lead with 13 points after a 2-1 win against Macedonia, followed by three teams tied on 11 points. After the 0-0 draw against England, Israel recorded a 4-0 victory over Estonia and now boast 11 points from six matches. Russia are in third position after a 2-0 in Estonia, with England fourth, though they again failed to show convincing form with the goalless draw in Tel Aviv and 3-0 win over Andorra in Barcelona. But the team controlled by controversial team manager Steve McClaren still have the chance to qualify for the UEFA EURO 2008™ finals from this tight group.

Northern Ireland took over top spot in Group F with a 4-1 victory in Liechtenstein, then a 2-1 win over Sweden, their first defeat, in the top match in Belfast. The Scandinavians dropped to second with 12 points behind Northern Ireland (13). With home wins against Denmark (2-1) and Iceland (1-0), Spain climbed to third place with nine points. The Danes, who have played just four matches, are hoping to advance in the standings when they meet neighbours Sweden on June 2. Liechtenstein, not known for their successes, achieved their first points by defeating Latvia 1-0.

The top match in Group G resulted in a goalless draw between the Netherlands and Romania in Rotterdam. The Dutch, 1988 UEFA European champions, then went on to beat Slovenia 1-0 away, so maintaining top position with 14 points from six matches. Behind them are Romania (11 from 5), after defeating Luxembourg 3-0. Bulgaria, third with nine points from five matches, failed to consolidate their position with a 0-0 draw against Albania, while Belarus inched closer with a 2-1 victory away over Luxembourg.

The next matches are scheduled for June 2 and 6.