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Thursday,13 October 2005
France, Sweden and Serbia Montenegro claimed the remaining three places for FIFA World Cup 2006 after winning their respective groups. Czech Republic, Slovakia, Turkey, Spain and Switzerland will join Norway in play-offs.
Serbia Montenegro finished top of Group 7 after winning the last match against Bosnia-Herzegovina 1-0 ahead of Spain whose 6-0 win against San Marino secured the place in the play-offs. The match in Belgrade was marred by the rioting between rival supporters. Several people were injured. France won Group 4 in style with 4-0 win against Cyprus, while Switzerland achieved a goalless draw in Dublin against Republic of Ireland and will take their place in the play-offs. Croatia's last qualifying match against Hungary ended in draw, securing the top spot in Group 8 for Croats. In the same Group Sweden overcome Iceland and booked the ticket to Germany as one of two best runner-ups. Poland finished second in Group6 and qualified by the same route as Sweden. European champions Greece failed to qualify for World Cup. They finished third in Group 2 behind Ukraine and Turkey despite a 1-0 win against Georgia. Czech Republic's 3-0 win in Finland put them ahead of Romania and behind Holland in Group 1.
European qualifiers
Hosts: Germany
Group 1 winners: Netherlands
Group 2 winners: Ukraine
Group 3 winners: Portugal
Group 4 winners: France
Group 5 winners: Italy
Group 6 winners: England
Group 7 winners: Serbia and Montenegro
Group 8 winners: Croatia
Group 6 runners-up: Poland
Group 8 runners-up: Sweden
Play-offs
Group 1: Czech Republic*
Group 2: Turkey*
Group 3: Slovakia
Group 4: Switzerland
Group 5: Norway
Group 7: Spain*
*Seeded side
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