Contenders find friendly form

Italy win
Italy, top of Group 5 with four wins out of four, defeated the Russians 2-1 in Olblia, taking the lead on 39 minutes through Alberto Aquilani's penalty. Ivan Saenko equalised for the visitors 19 minutes into the second half, also from the spot, but nine minutes later UC Sampdoria midfielder Biagio Pagano struck the clincher.

Dutch defeat England
Despite England attracting a crowd of 33,184 to Derby's Pride Park for their friendly against the Netherlands - their best attendance for an U21 international - the home side fell to a 2-1 defeat on a day when they also lost the Group 6 leadership to Germany, who overcame Wales in one of tonight's four competitive ties. The Dutch went ahead through Collins John of English club Fulham FC in the 19th minute and eight minutes before the break Eldridge Rojer headed a second. Substitute Leroy Lita netted a late consolation to give the home fans something to cheer.

Almeida delights Portugal
Portugal are the only side, other than Italy, to have won their first four qualifiers, and they were victorious tonight too, beating the Republic of Ireland 2-0 in Rio Maior. Boavista FC striker Hugo Almeida scored the goals for the Group 3 contenders on 15 and 31 minutes, both after excellent passes from FC Porto's Ricardo Quaresma.

France held
In contrast France, top of Group 4 having triumphed in their three fixtures, were held 1-1 by Sweden in La Roche-sur-Yon. Jimmy Briand registered for the home team in the 70th minute but Andrea Dahl equalised with ten minutes to go.

Draws in Cyprus
Romania, heading Group 1, also drew as they played out a stalemate with Slovakia in cold conditions in Larnaca, Cyprus. Roman Konecin was sent off for Slovakia in the 89th minute after two cautions, though his side had been the better team for the last half-hour in an otherwise even encounter. Cyprus themselves were involved in a 3-3 draw with Hungary.

Slovenian surge
Slovenia may be seven points behind Italy in second place in Group 5, but they had a fine evening as they thrashed Poland 6-1. Scotland, bottom of Group 5, lost 2-1 in Northern Ireland. Shaun Maloney gave the visitors to Belfast a 36th-minute advantage, but Chris Brunt swiftly levelled with a free-kick and Sam Morrow - of Scottish Premier League outfit Hibernian FC - came off the bench to score the winner just before the hour.

Malta triumph
Malta belied their status as the bottom team in Group 8 by overcoming Norway 2-1 in Korradino. André Schembri's early chip and Cleaven Frendo's second-half penalty proved enough despite Arne Walde's late effort for Norway, to add to Malta's impressive 3-1 victory against Italy at U20 level last month.