Uphill task for France

World champions France face an uphill battle to qualify for the 2000 European Championships but the other traditional powers in European football gave themselves a real shot in the arm in Saturday's qualification matches.

Spain and Germany kept on course for automatic qualification with impressive wins while Italy, with no game Saturday, are sitting pretty while less established names Sweden, Norway and Romania look set to top their groups.

But France's 0-0 draw with Group Four leaders Ukraine saw them slip to fourth in that pool.

Before kick-off France were second but a dire game in Kiev and victories for Russia and Iceland over Armenia and Andorra leave the world champions with a lot to do to reach the finals in Holland and Belgium.

One consolation for France is that they could still top their group as Ukraine still have to visit second-placed Russia and third-placed Iceland.

But realistically France must win their last two games - away to Armenia and home to Iceland. Even a play-off spot will otherwise be a tall order.

Russia lie second after their 2-0 Moscow win over Armenia. Iceland's 3-0 win over Andorra means their goal difference is better than France's.

Sweden are now virtually assured of top spot after a goal from Niclas Alexandersson sealed a 1-0 win over Bulgaria.

In Group One Italy are all but qualified. However, Denmark took a giant stride towards the runners-up berth with a 2-1 home win over Switzerland.

In a game with little qualification impact Wales gave new coach Mark Hughes a flier with a 2-1 win in Belarus sealed by Manchester United winger Ryan Giggs in the 86th minute.

In Group Three Germany stayed top. Oliver Bierhoff scored two early goals against Finland as they emerged 2-1 victors.

Spain shone again in Group Six, recording a 3-1 win in Austria and look sure of a place in the finals after Israel went down to a surprise 3-2 defeat to Cyprus, who move into second place.

Tottenham midfielder Oyvind Leonhardsen scored as Norway beat Greece 1-0 in Oslo to stay top of Group Two.

The only team that can topple them is surprise package Slovenia, whose 2-1 win over Georgia secured their grip on at least a playoff spot.

The match at Oslo between Norway and Slovenia in midweek should decide who gets the automatic place.

Latvia were all but ruled out when they threw away a 3-1 lead to draw 3-3 in Albania.

Group Seven is a two-horse race with Romania taking top spot from Portugal.

The Portuguese rescued a point in a 1-1 draw in Azerbaijan with an injury-time goal from Barcelona's Luis Figo.

In Group Nine the Czech Republic continued their 100 per cent record, hammering Lithuania 4-0 with Lazio's Pavel Nedved and Libor Koller scoring two each. Two late goals for Estonia in the Faroe Islands kept them on Scotland's tail.