Unexpected results outshine goalfests in Euro qualifiers
Robert Millward, Associated Press, London
The goal-scoring bonanza came as expected, but it was the unexpected that would make the headlines.
The two biggest surprises came from the United Kingdom, where Wales stunned Italy 2-1 in Cardiff and Macedonia held host England to a 2-2 draw in European Championship qualifying matches Wednesday.
World Cup runner-up Germany almost joined the failures when it managed only a 2-1 victory at home to one of Europe's minnows, the Faeroe Islands. It was saved from a tie by the post. But not everyone had a bad day.
Defending European champion France eased past Malta 4-0, Romania crushed Luxembourg 7-0, Turkey outplayed Liechtenstein 5- 0 and the Netherlands won 3-0 at Austria.
Italy's loss to Wales comes on top of a home draw with Yugoslavia and coach Giovanni Trapattoni's team, with four points from three games, isn't exactly racing towards the finals in Portugal.
Welsh striker David Bellamy hit the winner 19 minutes from the end after Alessandro Del Piero had canceled out an early Simon Davies goal in the indoor Millennium stadium.
Wales now tops the group with a maximum six points while Yugoslavia, which downed Finland with goals by Darko Kovacevic and Sinisa Mihajlovic, jumped above the Italians to second on goal difference.
England twice fell behind to Macedonia at St. Mary's in Southampton, and the first goal after 11 minutes was another blunder by veteran goalkeeper David Seaman, who was lobbed straight from a corner by Artim Shakiri.
It was reminiscent of his World Cup quarterfinals blunder when a long range free kick by Ronaldinho flew over his head and England was eliminated by Brazil.
Although David Beckham leveled within three minutes, Vanco Trajanov stunned the English fans by restoring Macedonia's lead. Steven Gerrard's equalizer 10 minutes before halftime set up a strong England charge but the visitor, which lost 2-1 to Turkey on Saturday, fully deserved its point.
Turkey's win means that Eriksson's team is five points behind, although with a game in hand.
Germany went ahead after only two minutes against the Faeroes when the returning Michael Ballack fired in a penalty. But the home fans were stunned when defender Arne Friedrich headed in an own-goal in injury time before the break.
A 59th-minute header by Miroslav Klose turned out to be the game-winner, but 19-year-old Hjalgrim Elttor, a part-time player who works at a gas station, had a chance for Faeroes glory in the 82nd minute but shot against the post.
Iceland moved up to third by beating Lithuania 3-0, helped by two goals from Chelsea's Eidur Gudjohnsen.
Group 1 leader France made it nine from three as Thierry Henry hit two and Arsenal colleague Sylvain Wiltord also was on the scoresheet in Malta.
Despite its seven-goal romp against Luxembourg, with Atletico Madrid's Cosmin Contra scoring three and Viorel Moldovan two, Romania didn't make it to the top because Norway beat Bosnia 2-0. Both teams jumped above leader Denmark, the Norwegians holding seven points, the Romanians six and the Danes four but with a game in hand.
The Dutch, who were semifinalists on home turf two years ago and then failed to make it to the World Cup, appear determined to qualify this time.