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Turkey in pole position after win

  • Story Highlights
  • Turkey claim a stunning 2-1 victory in Norway to leave them favorites to qualify
  • Theofanis Gekas helped himself to a hat-trick in Greece's 5-0 win over Malta
  • Poland secure their qualification from Group A after a 2-0 victory over Belgium
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OSLO, Norway -- Turkey are favorites to join Greece at the Euro 2008 finals after coming from behind to defeat Norway 2-1 in Group C in Oslo and leave the Scandinavian side facing qualifying heartache.

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Turkey players and officials celebrate their win in Oslo which puts Euro 2008 qualification into their own hands.

In foggy conditions, Norway went ahead in the 12th minute with a stunning overhead kick from defender Erik Hagen, but Turkey equalised through Emre on 31 minutes before sealing victory with Nihat Kahveci's strike 14 minutes into the second half.

Norway have not qualified for a major tournament since Euro 2000 and, after missing out in the play-offs for Euro 2004 and last summer's World Cup, they kicked off knowing victory would break that run.

Norway took the lead with a goal of real quality. Steffen Iversen flicked on a free-kick and Hagen, with his back to goal, controlled the ball on his chest before rifling an overhead kick into the roof of the net.

John Carew had a header saved as Norway searched for a second goal, although Turkey remained dangerous and got back into the game on 31 minutes.

Emre beat his man on the edge of the box, made space and blasted a dipping drive beyond Norway goalkeeper Hakon Opdal.

Fatih Terim's men were now in the ascendancy and Hamit Altintop came close again with a long-range attempt on 40 minutes before Morten Gamst Pedersen was thwarted by Turkey keeper Volkan Demirel at the other end.

Villarreal forward Nihat scored what proved to be the winner in the 59th minute, receiving the ball from substitute Gokhan Gonul before shooting past Opdal.

Turkey will qualify if they defeat Bosnia at home on Wednesday. They are second in the group, one point above Norway who visit Malta with their fate out of their hands.

Holders Greece have already clinched qualification as group winners, and they ended their home campaign in style with a convincing 5-0 victory over Malta, with Bayer Leverkusen striker Theofanis Gekas helping himself to a hat-trick.

Meanwhile, Poland will line up alongside Europe's elite for the first time in Austria and Switzerland next summer after goals from Euzebiusz Smolarek either side of half-time against Belgium secured a 2-0 victory and safe passage from Group A.

Smolarek took advantage of two lucky breaks to score twice in five minutes and send the hosts through.

The 26-year-old netted his first on 45 minutes, showing real pace to race on to a loose ball, evade goalkeeper Stijn Stijnen and slide the ball into the empty net.

Smolarek was again in the right place at the right time four minutes after the restart, chipping the ball cheekily over Stijnen.

Serbia's qualifier against Kazakhstan was postponed for the second time on Sunday because of heavy snow. The Group A match will be played next Saturday, organizers said. E-mail to a friend E-mail to a friend

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