The eight group winners and two best runners-up qualify automatically for the 2006 finals in Germany. The six other runners-up will play off for three further places. Teams finishing level on points will be divided first by their head-to-head records.

Because some groups contain six teams and others seven, the best runners-up will be determined by their results against the teams finishing first, third, fourth, fifth and sixth in each group.

GROUP ONE
The group swung decisively in favour of the Netherlands on Saturday as their initially unimpressive 1-0 win in Armenia was given extra gravitas by the Czech Republic's later 2-0 defeat in Romania.

The Dutch, who won with a Ruud van Nistelrooy goal, now have 25 points from nine and a guaranteed at least a place in the playoffs. They should move to 28 when they host Andorra on Wednesday.

Romania ended the Czechs' seven-game qualification winning run with two goals by Adrian Mutu to move to 22 points - but have only one game left, away to Finland in October.

The Czech Republic have 21 from nine but should move back into second place on Wednesday when they host Armenia before their big one at home to the Netherlands next month.

GROUP TWO
An amazing, roller-coaster of a day ended with Ukraine through to the finals for the first time in their history and three more teams battling it out for second.

The former Soviet State thought they had done enough when Ruslan Rotan's goal had them ahead in Georgia until Georgi Gakhokidze snatched a last-minute equaliser.

Ukraine travelled home on 24 points thinking they would have work to do in their final two games only for Denmark to send them through by snatching an injury-time 2-2 draw in Turkey.

Turkey, who go to Kiev on Wednesday, have 17 points from 10 games with European champions Greece, who visit Kaza-khstan, on 15 from nine. The Greeks are the only team who can match Ukraine's tally but having drawn with them and lost to them, have an inferior head to head record.

Denmark, who host Georgia in midweek, have 13 points from nine.

GROUP THREE
Portugal look certain qualifiers after thrashing Luxembourg 6-0 with two goals each for Pauleta and Simao, though they will find things a bit tougher in Russia on Wednesday.

Portugal have 23 points from nine games and still have home matches against Liechtenstein and Latvia in the pipeline.

Russia joined Slovakia on 18 from nine games after their 2-0 home win against Liechtenstein.

On Wednesday Slovakia visit Latvia, who saw their slim hopes vanish with a 2-1 defeat in Estonia.

GROUP FOUR
This remains the tightest of the European groups with one point dividing the unbeaten top four.

France's 3-0 home win over the Faroe Islands moved them to 13 points, alongside Ireland, who they face in Dublin on Wednesday.

Switzerland complete the trio after their 1-1 home draw with Israel, who remain very much in the hunt on 12 from one more game than the top three but with two matches against the Faroes to come.

The Swiss visit Cyprus on Wednesday when Israel play the Faroes away but this one seems certain to go all the way to the last round of October 12.

GROUP FIVE
Italy remain top after their 1-1 comeback draw in Scotland but Norway closed ground with an injury-time 3-2 win in Slovenia.

Italy, who visit Belarus on Wednesday, still look good on 14 points but Norway are now within striking range on 12, although they have an inferior head to head record with the Italians.

Slovenia have nine and will expect to add three more in Moldova on Wednesday. Norway have a tougher job against a Scotland team who have new hope on seven, the same as Belarus after the former Soviet state's surprise 2-0 defeat in Moldova.

All teams in the group have three games remaining.

GROUP SIX
No change at the top as Poland and England both collected narrow wins.

Poland beat Austria 3-2 at home to move to 21 points from eight games, with England on 19 from seven after their 1-0 win in Wales.

The Poles are at home again on Wednesday, against Wales, while England face another local test in Northern Ireland - with both leading teams entitled to expect further success.

The top two meet in the final round in Manchester on October 12 but if they both keep winning they could both go through, one as a best runner-up, to take the sting out of the showdown.

GROUP SEVEN
Serbia & Montenegro moved top on 15 points after their 2-0 home win over Lithuania stretched their run to seven matches without conceding a goal, a qualifying competition record.

They now travel to Spain, second on 13, on Wednesday, well aware that a draw will make them favourites to top the group.

Bosnia moved to 10 points after beating Belgium and retain a slither of interest, as do Lithuania (nine) who they visit on Wednesday.

GROUP EIGHT
Top two Sweden and Croatia both won to keep it just a point between them with three games each remaining.

Croatia have 19 points after coming from behind to win 3-1 in Iceland, with the Swedes on 18 after beating Bulgaria 3-0 again - as they did in Sofia in March.

With Croatia visiting Malta and Sweden in Hungary, two more wins can be expected on Wednesday - leaving the October 8 clash between the leaders in Zagreb likely to be decisive.