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Spain left behind as European heavyweights power into 16-team championship
London, Oct 13: England scraped out a 0-0 draw against Turkey in Istanbul Saturday night to win group 7 and secure an automatic qualifying berth for the 16-team championship in Portugal.
London, Oct 13: England scraped out a 0-0 draw against Turkey in Istanbul Saturday night to win group 7 and secure an automatic qualifying berth for the 16-team championship in Portugal.
Two other European powers, Italy and Germany, also qualified, along with Denmark, Switzerland and Greece.
But Spain was left to contest a playoff, along with other second-place finishers Turkey, Scotland, Norway, Russia, Latvia, Croatia and Wales.
A total of six automatic qualifying spots and eight playoff berths were decided in 20 games across Europe.
Five nations had already secured places in next summer's tournament: host Portugal and group winners France, Czech Republic, Sweden and Bulgaria.
Two countries - the Netherlands and Slovenia - had been assured of playoff spots as group runners-up.
The unseeded draw for the 10-nation playoff is to be held today in Frankfurt. The games will be contested over two legs on Nov. 15 and 19.
The English needed only a point to advance ahead of Turkey - and that's just what they got. England finished with 20 points, two ahead of the Turks.
England went into the game after a week marred by a drug scandal, rape allegations, a player revolt and doubts over coach Sven-Goran Eriksson's future. But the team managed to restore some pride.
Bureau Report
Two other European powers, Italy and Germany, also qualified, along with Denmark, Switzerland and Greece.
But Spain was left to contest a playoff, along with other second-place finishers Turkey, Scotland, Norway, Russia, Latvia, Croatia and Wales.
A total of six automatic qualifying spots and eight playoff berths were decided in 20 games across Europe.
Five nations had already secured places in next summer's tournament: host Portugal and group winners France, Czech Republic, Sweden and Bulgaria.
Two countries - the Netherlands and Slovenia - had been assured of playoff spots as group runners-up.
The unseeded draw for the 10-nation playoff is to be held today in Frankfurt. The games will be contested over two legs on Nov. 15 and 19.
The English needed only a point to advance ahead of Turkey - and that's just what they got. England finished with 20 points, two ahead of the Turks.
England went into the game after a week marred by a drug scandal, rape allegations, a player revolt and doubts over coach Sven-Goran Eriksson's future. But the team managed to restore some pride.
Bureau Report