WHEN Italy, France, Holland and Romania were drawn together in Group C for Euro 2008, few expected the notoriously under-achieving Dutch to be the clear winners with a game to spare.
Holland are group winners with six points, Romania currently sit second with two and Italy and France are languishing with a point each and identical goal difference (-3) and goals scored (1).
Ahead of tomorrow's climax with France playing Italy and Holland facing Romania, PA Sport considers the possible permutations.
ROMANIA WIN
Should Victor Piturca's side beat a relaxed Holland side - having already drawn with Italy and France - then they would finish second with five points and reach the quarter-finals, regardless of the Italy-France result.
FRANCE OR ITALY WIN, ROMANIA DO NOT
Supporters of France and Italy will monitor Romania's progress closely because should they slip up, victory for either of the 2006 World Cup finalists would see them into the last eight. France must win to have any chance of qualifying.
ROMANIA LOSE, FRANCE AND ITALY SCORE DRAW
All three would finish on two points with Italy going through on the head-to-head rule because their goals scored record against France and Romania would be superior.
ROMANIA LOSE, FRANCE AND ITALY DRAW 0-0
Romania will go through if they lose by one or two goals by virtue of a level head-to-head record with Italy but better overall goal difference. They will also progress if they lose by a three-goal margin but manage to score a goal, with level goal difference but more goals scored.
If Romania lose by four goals or more with the other game goalless, Italy would go through on overall goal difference. A 3-0 defeat for Romania and goalless draw in Zurich would see Italy qualify due to the complicated qualifying coefficients system.
ends
Ahead of tomorrow's climax with France playing Italy and Holland facing Romania, PA Sport considers the possible permutations.
ROMANIA WIN
Should Victor Piturca's side beat a relaxed Holland side - having already drawn with Italy and France - then they would finish second with five points and reach the quarter-finals, regardless of the Italy-France result.
FRANCE OR ITALY WIN, ROMANIA DO NOT
Supporters of France and Italy will monitor Romania's progress closely because should they slip up, victory for either of the 2006 World Cup finalists would see them into the last eight. France must win to have any chance of qualifying.
ROMANIA LOSE, FRANCE AND ITALY SCORE DRAW
All three would finish on two points with Italy going through on the head-to-head rule because their goals scored record against France and Romania would be superior.
ROMANIA LOSE, FRANCE AND ITALY DRAW 0-0
Romania will go through if they lose by one or two goals by virtue of a level head-to-head record with Italy but better overall goal difference. They will also progress if they lose by a three-goal margin but manage to score a goal, with level goal difference but more goals scored.
If Romania lose by four goals or more with the other game goalless, Italy would go through on overall goal difference. A 3-0 defeat for Romania and goalless draw in Zurich would see Italy qualify due to the complicated qualifying coefficients system.
ends
Copyright (c) Press Association
Related Articles

Donadoni Wary Of The Spanish

Hiddink Sends Holland Crashing Out
