Quintet advance in U21 race

Croatia, France, Ukraine, Belgium and the Netherlands all sealed their places in the UEFA European Under-21 Championship play-offs with wins on Friday night - joining holders Italy, Denmark, Portugal, England and Germany with six places to be decided on Tuesday and Wednesday when the qualifying groups conclude.

Fine treble
Croatia's 1-0 win against Sweden ensured their top billing in Group 8, while Anthony Le Tallec's hat-trick earned France a 3-0 win in Switzerland and top spot in Group 4. A 4-2 win in the Czech Republic means the Netherlands can finish no lower than second in Group 1, while Ukraine are certain of second place in Group 2 after a 5-0 win against Albania. Belgium's 1-0 victory against Spain took them through. The eight group winners will be drawn against the runners-up at UEFA Headquarters in Nyon, Switzerland on Thursday 13 October at 13.00 CET.

Group 1
The Netherlands are top with Romania, who have played all of their games, one point ahead of the Czech Republic in second. A draw in Finland on Tuesday would be enough to send the Czechs through and they can overtake the Dutch if they fail to win their final match against F.Y.R. Macedonia.

Group 2
Denmark are through to the play-offs as group winners, with Ukraine confirmed as runners-up.

Group 3
Portugal are through as group winners, and Russia will join them as runners-up provided they do not lose by more than four goals in their final game against Slovenia, which is played, unlike the other midweek matches, on Wednesday.

Group 4
France will top the group, but Switzerland can steal second place from Israel, who have completed their fixtures, with a win on Tuesday in the Republic of Ireland.

Group 5
Holders Italy are group winners with Belarus currently second, a point ahead of Slovenia and two in front of Norway and Moldova. If Belarus win at home to Norway they will go through, but a draw would allow in Slovenia if they defeat Scotland, or should the Slovenians not win in that circumstance Moldova would finish second on head-to-head record if they prevail in Italy. Should Norway win, only Slovenia would be able to overtake them, but they too would need to gain three points.

Group 6
Germany are through as section winners with England certain to finish as runners-up.

Group 7
Belgium are through, and will be confirmed as group winners if they pick up a point in their final game in Lithuania. Serbia and Montenegro will at least finish second if they win at home against Bosnia-Herzegovina, and indeed end top if Belgium lose. However, if Serbia and Montenegro do not pick up maximum points, Spain would leapfrog them with victory in San Marino.

Group 8
Croatia are through as group winners. Sweden have a tentative hold on second by virtue of a superior head-to-head record over Hungary and, should they match Hungary's result against Croatia when they face Iceland, the Swedes will progress.