Czechs pip Germany to top spot

Euro 2008 round-up:  Czech Republic sealed first place in Euro 2008 Qualifying Group D with a comfortable 2-0 victory in Cyprus on Wednesday night.

Daniel Pudil put the visitors ahead early on before Jan Koller sealed the points 16 minutes from time.

That was enough to ensure the Czechs take the Group D crown over Germany because of their head-to-head record.

Walesended their Euro 2008 qualifying campaign with a battling 0-0 draw away to Germany.

John Toshack's inexperienced side enjoyed the better of the first 45 minutes as Germany, who had been denied the opportunity to take top spot in Group D following the Czech Republic's victory over Cyprus earlier in the day, looked lacking in imagination.

Robert Earnshaw and Simon Davies combined well in attack for Wales, who had no hopes of progressing to next summer's finals in Austria and Switzerland, and James Collins had a goal-bound header well blocked by Mario Gomez.

However, it was Lukas Podolski who came closet to breaking the deadlock when the German forward saw a long-range effort come back off the post after striking Wales goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey on the back.

After the interval Hennessey was again fortunate as he flapped at a corner and Mario Gomez managed to miss his header with the goal gaping.

Germany then dominated possession and Miroslav Klose wasted a good headed chance, but Wales survived to secure a creditable point.

Romaniacompleted their Group G campaign in style as they thrashed nine-man Albania6-1 to secure their place at the top of the pool.

After taking a first-half lead through Nicolae Dica, Romania scored five goals in a devastating 20-minute spell in the second half.

Gabriel Tamas put them 2-0 up before Debatik Curri was dismissed for a second-booking and Daniel Niculae put Romania in control before Edmond Kapllani pulled one back for Albania.

Nicolae then added a second before Ciprian Marica slotted away a penalty and, when Nevil Dede was shown a second yellow card for bringing down Marica, Dica scored his second from the spot to complete the rout.

Late goals from Blagoy Georgiev and Dimitar Berbatov ensured Bulgaria signed off a solid but ultimately futile qualifying campaign with a 2-0 win in Slovenia.

Elyaniv Barda scored the only goal with a first-half header as Israel edged out FYR Macedonia in Group E while, in Group B, goals from Andrius Ksanavicius and Mindaugas Kalonas gave Lithuania a 2-0 win against Georgia.

In Group A, Sergey Ostapenko's first goal for his country saw Kazakhstan beat Armenia 1-0.