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Czechs, Greece and Romania qualify

  • Story Highlights
  • The Czech Republic seal their Euro 2008 place with a 3-0 victory in Germany
  • A late goal gives Greece a superb 1-0 win in Turkey to secure their finals place
  • Romania defeat Luxembourg 2-0 to also secure their place in the Euro finals
  • Next Article in World Sport »
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MUNICH, Germany -- The Czech Republic sealed their place in Euro 2008 with a superb 3-0 Group D victory over Germany, who had already secured their qualification.

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Libor Sionko celebrates his opening goal as the Czech Republic secured their place in Euro 2008 with a 3-0 win in Germany.

Libor Sionko opened the scoring as early as the second minute. Jan Koller beat the offside trap and laid the ball back for Sionko to slot home.

Marek Matejovsky made it 2-0 in the 23rd minute, Koller again the provider after he beat German defender Per Mertesacker to an aerial ball.

With 66,000 disgruntled fans getting on Germany's back, the home side pressed forward -- but that left them open to a counter-attack and Jaroslav Plasil duly punished them with a breakaway third goal in the 64th minute.

The result was Germany's biggest home defeat since they were thrashed 5-1 by England in September 2001.

In other Group D results, Wales scrambled to a disappointing 2-1 victory at bottom club San Marino, while a last-gasp Steve Finnan goal gave the Republic of Ireland a dismal 1-1 home draw with Cyprus.

Meanwhile, holders Greece will continue the defense of their European title after a narrow 1-0 victory against Turkey in Istanbul.

Ioannis Amanatidis scored the only goal in the 79th minute as Otto Rehhagel's side overcame a hostile atmosphere to avenge their 4-1 home defeat by Turkey earlier in the campaign.

Giorgios Samaras picked out the advancing Amanatidis and the forward kept his cool to clip the ball over goalkeeper Volkan Demirel and into the net.

Turkey almost drew level with four minutes remaining, but substitute Arda Turan's angled shot hit the post.

Norway won 2-0 in Bosnia to move into second place in Group C. The Norwegians and Turkey will fight it out for second place in the group, with the pair meeting in Oslo next month which will prove the key fixture.

Romania became the third team on the night to qualify for the finals, with a comfortable 2-0 Group G victory in Luxembourg.

The Netherlands defeated Slovenia 2-0 and will secure their qualification if they defeat Luxembourg in their next group match. E-mail to a friend E-mail to a friend

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