It is not often a last-gasp victory over European minnows Albania in Tirana can be seen as a defining moment - yet that is just how things transpired for Holland on the road to Euro 2008.
With both Romania and Bulgaria also in Group G, it was always set to be a three-way shoot-out for the two qualifying berths.
Under legendary striker Marco van Basten, the Netherlands were on a rebuilding process following their early exit in the second round, to Portugal, from the 2006 World Cup.
Yet with Belarus, Slovenia and perennial whipping boys Luxembourg also in their pool, the Dutch - champions of Europe 20 years ago inspired by the likes of van Basten, Ruud Gullit, Frank Rijkaard and Ronald Koeman - were confident of progression.
Joris Mathijsen's solitary strike proved enough for a narrow victory from the first match away to Luxembourg, which was hardly the emphatic start expected from the Oranje.
However, that was quickly followed by a comfortable 3-0 win over Belarus at the Amsterdam Arena.
Key to progression, though, was always going to be the direct clashes with their qualification rivals.
Holland travelled to Sofia in early October 2006, and had to come from behind to salvage a point through Arsenal striker Robin van Persie.
Romania took full advantage, beating Belarus to move to the top of the qualifying table and take the early initiative.
Van Persie - who would soon be sidelined by a series of injuries - was on target once again as the Dutch saw off Albania 2-1 in Amsterdam four days later.
The start of 2007 brought the top two together at De Kuip stadium in Rotterdam.
As expected, the encounter produced a cagey affair which ended 0-0. That result kept Holland ahead in the race to reach Austria and Switzerland, but by now having played a game more than their closest rivals.
A late strike from former Rangers and Arsenal midfielder Giovanni van Bronckhorst further strengthened the Netherlands bid with a 1-0 win away to Slovenia.
However, it was a result in Celje, matched by Romania in the final round of qualifiers at the end of the season during June, which again left van Basten's chasing top spot.
When the new campaign resumed, little did the Dutch know that their September double-header would prove so crucial.
Bulgaria came to Amsterdam unbeaten, but left on the end of a 2-0 defeat following goals from Real Madrid duo Wesley Sneijder and a rejuvenated Ruud van Nistelrooy, returning to the national team following a somewhat premature retirement.
The Dutch travelled to Albania full of confidence, but looked to be heading towards a frustrating goalless draw against 10 men.
However, just when time looked to be running out, Urby Emanuelson's cross found its way through to Van Nistelrooy - and the former Manchester United man took great delight in securing what would prove to be a crucial three points.
The Oranje were now level with group leaders Romania heading into the showdown between the two nations, and crucially there was now daylight between Van Basten's men and third-placed Bulgaria, who had played a game more.
However, Dorin Goian's second-half goal proved enough to give the hosts victory in Constanta, where Rafael van der Vaart almost snatched a dramatic draw for Holland in stoppage time when his shot hit the post.
Nevertheless, with three games left and two at home, the fate of the Oranje was still in their own hands.
Slovenia were dispatched 2-0 in Eindhoven on the same night Bulgaria were held to a 1-1 draw in Albania, all but securing safe passage to the finals for Van Basten's squad.
Even though Romania - who had already qualified - lost in Sofia on November 17, there would be no late collapse by the Dutch as they made sure of their place in this summer's showpiece tournament by edging past Luxembourg 1-0 at Du Kuip.
Even a surprise defeat to Belarus in Minsk and victory for Bulgaria over Slovenia proved inconsequential to the final qualifying places - but it did cost Holland top spot in Group G as Romania crushed nine-man Albania 6-1 in Bucharest.
By a quirk of the draw for the opening stages of Euro 2008, Holland found themselves reunited with Romania alongside World Cup winners Italy and runners-up France in the so-called 'Group of Death'.
With Van Basten, 43, set to stand down after the finals, the Dutch maestro knows he has his work cut out to become the toast of Europe again two decades on from his famous volley which helped beat the Soviet Union in Germany.
Under legendary striker Marco van Basten, the Netherlands were on a rebuilding process following their early exit in the second round, to Portugal, from the 2006 World Cup.
Yet with Belarus, Slovenia and perennial whipping boys Luxembourg also in their pool, the Dutch - champions of Europe 20 years ago inspired by the likes of van Basten, Ruud Gullit, Frank Rijkaard and Ronald Koeman - were confident of progression.
Joris Mathijsen's solitary strike proved enough for a narrow victory from the first match away to Luxembourg, which was hardly the emphatic start expected from the Oranje.
However, that was quickly followed by a comfortable 3-0 win over Belarus at the Amsterdam Arena.
Key to progression, though, was always going to be the direct clashes with their qualification rivals.
Holland travelled to Sofia in early October 2006, and had to come from behind to salvage a point through Arsenal striker Robin van Persie.
Romania took full advantage, beating Belarus to move to the top of the qualifying table and take the early initiative.
Van Persie - who would soon be sidelined by a series of injuries - was on target once again as the Dutch saw off Albania 2-1 in Amsterdam four days later.
The start of 2007 brought the top two together at De Kuip stadium in Rotterdam.
As expected, the encounter produced a cagey affair which ended 0-0. That result kept Holland ahead in the race to reach Austria and Switzerland, but by now having played a game more than their closest rivals.
A late strike from former Rangers and Arsenal midfielder Giovanni van Bronckhorst further strengthened the Netherlands bid with a 1-0 win away to Slovenia.
However, it was a result in Celje, matched by Romania in the final round of qualifiers at the end of the season during June, which again left van Basten's chasing top spot.
When the new campaign resumed, little did the Dutch know that their September double-header would prove so crucial.
Bulgaria came to Amsterdam unbeaten, but left on the end of a 2-0 defeat following goals from Real Madrid duo Wesley Sneijder and a rejuvenated Ruud van Nistelrooy, returning to the national team following a somewhat premature retirement.
The Dutch travelled to Albania full of confidence, but looked to be heading towards a frustrating goalless draw against 10 men.
However, just when time looked to be running out, Urby Emanuelson's cross found its way through to Van Nistelrooy - and the former Manchester United man took great delight in securing what would prove to be a crucial three points.
The Oranje were now level with group leaders Romania heading into the showdown between the two nations, and crucially there was now daylight between Van Basten's men and third-placed Bulgaria, who had played a game more.
However, Dorin Goian's second-half goal proved enough to give the hosts victory in Constanta, where Rafael van der Vaart almost snatched a dramatic draw for Holland in stoppage time when his shot hit the post.
Nevertheless, with three games left and two at home, the fate of the Oranje was still in their own hands.
Slovenia were dispatched 2-0 in Eindhoven on the same night Bulgaria were held to a 1-1 draw in Albania, all but securing safe passage to the finals for Van Basten's squad.
Even though Romania - who had already qualified - lost in Sofia on November 17, there would be no late collapse by the Dutch as they made sure of their place in this summer's showpiece tournament by edging past Luxembourg 1-0 at Du Kuip.
Even a surprise defeat to Belarus in Minsk and victory for Bulgaria over Slovenia proved inconsequential to the final qualifying places - but it did cost Holland top spot in Group G as Romania crushed nine-man Albania 6-1 in Bucharest.
By a quirk of the draw for the opening stages of Euro 2008, Holland found themselves reunited with Romania alongside World Cup winners Italy and runners-up France in the so-called 'Group of Death'.
With Van Basten, 43, set to stand down after the finals, the Dutch maestro knows he has his work cut out to become the toast of Europe again two decades on from his famous volley which helped beat the Soviet Union in Germany.
Copyright (c) Press Association
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