Finland and Belarus prove best

Belarus relief
Hosts Finland were already through following two opening wins before Sunday's 2-1 defeat of Belarus. But that result did not eliminate Belarus as F.Y.R. Macedonia, who still had mathematical hopes of catching them, drew 3-3 with Albania.

Finland wins
The tenor of the group was set on Matchday 1 when Belarus drew 0-0 with F.Y.R. Macedonia and Finland defeated Albania 4-0 with Jesse Ahonen and Kim Böling both scoring in each half. Finland's winning run continued with a 2-1 victory against F.Y.R. Macedonia but they had to come from behind after Darko Micevski's 22nd-minute goal. Riko Laitinen equalised from the penalty spot and Böling struck the winner with six minutes left.

F.Y.R. Macedonia denied
Meanwhile Belarus secured what proved a decisive 7-0 defeat of Albania. Ryhor Shatalau's 26th-minute goal was added to by two Artsiom Buloichyk strikes before the break and Artsem Makarau, Pavel Kruk, Dzianis Yakhno and Dzmitry Aliseika increased the lead in the second half. Belarus were grateful for that as even though they did lose to Finland, F.Y.R. Macedonia would have needed to match that margin of victory against Albania to overtake them. As it is F.Y.R. Macedonia cannot go through as one of the two best third-placed teams.