Euro 2008 Qual: Group B Round-up

Scotland have edged closer towards Euro 2008 with a 3-1 win over Ukraine, while France strolled to a victory in the Faroe Islands - both results complicating Italy's chances of qualification.

The Scots were already leading Group B before today’s games and have maintained that spot with a home victory that sees them move to 24 points.

The Scots went two up inside the first 10 minutes as Kenny Mille Miller and Lee McCulloch netted, before former Milan striker Andriy Shevchenko got the visitors back into the match on 24 minutes.

However, the home side took a fresh grip of the encounter with 20 minutes remaining when James McFadden – who netted their shock winner in France last month – made it 3-1.

France beat the Faroe Islands and the fog to temporarily go second. The French only touched down in the Faroes this morning after the bad weather saw their plane diverted to Norway last night.

However, it didn’t put them off their stride as they took early control of the tie as Nicolas Anelka and Thierry Henry scored within eight minutes as the visitors went 2-0 in front.

It proved to be just as easy after the break as Karim Benzema, with a brace, Jerome Rothen and Hatem Ben Arfa stretched their advantage. They finally won it 6-0.

UPDATE: Italy's win over Georgia in the evening moved the Azzurri back in front of Le Bleus, a point clear of them and one behind Scotland. Ukraine are out of the running for qualification.

REMAINING GROUP B FIXTURES:
[17-10-2007] Georgia-Scotland, France-Lithuania, Ukraine-Faroe Islands.
[17-11-2007] Lithuania-Ukraine, Scotland-Italy.
[21-11-2007] Italy-Faroe Islands, Georgia-Lithuania, Ukraine-France.

Source: C4 Football Italia