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