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Georgia celebrates on historic night

Russia's chances of qualifying automatically diminished in midweek as three former Soviet republics won.

Russia's chances of qualifying automatically for the 2004 UEFA European Championship in Portugal diminished last night as three former Soviet republics recorded important victories.

Asatiani winner
One of those wins came against Russia as Georgia triumphed 1-0 in Tbilisi. Malkhaz Asatiani, who plays for FC Lokomotiv Moskva, scored the only goal of the Group 10 fixture in the eleventh minute to draw his side level on four points with the Republic of Ireland. Second-placed Russia have six points in a section led by Switzerland, who have eight.

National importance
The coach of Russia, Valeri Gazzaev, did not attend a post-match press conference at which Ivo Šušak, the new coach of Georgia, could not contain his delight. "I have no words to convey my happiness," he said. "We did not rely on Russia making mistakes, but played to our own strengths - a strategy which paid off. This win is not only important for the team but for the whole country. I am no hero, but I am proud to be part of something which will give satisfaction to the whole of Georgia."

Plenty to cheer
Like Šušak, the Latvia coach Aleksandrs Starkovs had plenty to enthuse about last night after his side extended their lead at the top of Group 4. Entering their match against San Marino level on points with Poland, Latvia won 3-0 to move to ten points, three more than the Poles and five ahead of Sweden, who have played a game less.

'Very happy'
Imants Bleidelis scored twice and Andrejs Prohorenkovs once in Riga, leaving Starkovs to say: "I was very happy to see the team maintain their composure for 90 minutes. Despite the score it was a tough victory." Looking ahead to Latvia's next qualifier against Hungary on 7 June, Starkovs said: "If we don't lose in Budapest, our future in the group will look very good."

Estonia climb
Estonia also enjoyed a comfortable victory as Indrek Zelinski scored in each half to claim three EURO 2004™ qualifying points in Group 8. Zelinksi struck in the 26th and 74th minutes to seal the win for Arno Pijpers's side, although Estonia remain in fourth spot in the section, a point behind third-placed Belgium and two adrift of Croatia in second.

Late drama
Group 1 saw the most action last night with all the teams bar runaway leaders France involved in qualifiers. Slovenia beat Malta 3-1 to remain in second, two points ahead of an Israel side who defeated Cyprus 2-0 in a match played in Palermo, Italy. Israel coach Avraham Grant admitted "it was not an easy game" as late goals from Walid Badir, in the 88th minute, and Shay Holtsman's strike in the fifth minute of added time won it for Israel.

Substitutes score
The coach told uefa.com: "Obviously it was a very good result for us as Cyprus defended all match with many players behind the ball. Our chances of qualifying remain the same, France are still very clear but we have a chance of finishing second." The coach, however, refused to take credit for the win, despite both goals being scored by substitutes. "Sometimes decisions pay off, sometimes not. This one went my way and that makes me very happy."

June return
France have 15 points from five outings, six more than Slovenia, for whom Zlatko Zahovic opened the scoring in Malta. "It was a difficult game for us," he said. "Malta deserve respect as a team and we showed them that throughout. The final result, though, is very good for us." Ermin Šiljak scored the other two goals, leaving Michael Mifsud to hit a consolation for the islanders. Qualifying resumes on  7 June when there is a full programme of action.

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