Romania face 'mission impossible'

Opening matches
Romania meet Russia in Söke at 15.00CET, while at the same time in Kusadasi the Turkish hosts take on Croatia. Whoever is top of the group after the three pairs of matches are completed next Friday will become the second country to qualify for this summer's final tournament, alongside hosts Switzerland.

First-round form
On the basis of first-round form the Croatians are perhaps marginal favourites to win the group. Ivan Grnja's side romped through Group 5 by winning all three of their matches, scoring seven goals in the process, and seem to possess a fine blend of accomplished attackers and composed defenders.

Undefeated Turkey
However, Gündüz Tekin Onay's Turkey side also won their first-round group, emerging undefeated after three games to edge ahead of hosts Scotland on goal difference, and they have the advantage of playing at home. Additionally, they have been buoyed by already seeing their U17 side reach their respective final tournament this season, something no other country in this section can boast of.

Strong form
Turkey have also been in forbidding form in their warm-up matches, beating Bulgaria 1-0 and Belgium twice by the same scoreline. Last month they also secured a 2-1 victory against Ukraine.

Strong proposition
Russia also look like a strong proposition. In round one they were only denied top spot in Group 8 when they conceded a late goal against hosts England. Furthermore, in forward Igor Shevchenko, who hit three of the team's nine goals, they have a significant cutting edge.

Problems for Romania
In round one Romania were edged out of top spot in Group 1 by Slovenia after winning two games out of three, but they head into Monday's match with several problems, notably the absence of their talismanic forward Claudiu Keseru.

Keseru absent
The 17-year-old from Transylvania, whose tally of eight goals in last season's U17 Championship qualifying rounds was more than any other player in Europe, also hit three goals in round one and was due to join up with his team-mates on Sunday. However, he suffered an ankle injury in training with his French club, FC Nantes Atlantique, and now misses out.

Romanian defiance
To add to their woes, Romania's five latest friendly matches have produced three defeats and two draws. The odds are certainly stacked against them but their coach, Dan Firiteanu, remains defiant. "Even if it seems almost a mission impossible, we shall fight until the last second for qualification," he said. "We want to prove to everyone that we can do it, even in such circumstances. We have the necessary potential."