Scots in as play-off line-up complete

The qualifying group stage for the 2011 UEFA U-21 Championship has concluded with Romania, Italy, the Czech Republic, Sweden and Scotland sealing play-off places on Tuesday as section winners.

Switzerland, the Netherlands, Croatia, Ukraine and Greece had already booked their spots in next month’s two-legged ties as group winners prior to the final round of matches, uefa.com reported.

The ten section winners will be joined in tomorrow’s play-off draw by the four runners-up boasting the best records against the rest of the top five in their group – Spain, England, Belarus and Iceland.

On a dramatic final night, Scotland secured first place in Group 10 thanks to a Christopher Maguire goal in the 89th minute that earned them a 2-1 win against Austria.

Belarus had looked set to win the section prior to that, but a 1-0 win against Azerbaijan was still good enough to earn them second spot and a play-off berth.

Romania drew 0-0 with Russia to finish first in Group 1, Italy defeated Wales 1-0 to advance from Group 2 and the Czech Republic confirmed top spot in Group 5 with a 3-1 victory over Iceland. However, Iceland’s superior goal difference ensured they pipped Israel, Wales and Russia to the fourth runners-up slot.

Sweden clinched first place in Group 6 courtesy of a 1-0 victory in Bulgaria, Spain’s 1-0 win in Poland guaranteed their progress, having already confirmed second place in Group 4 behind the Netherlands, and England, already runners-up in Group 9 behind Greece, are through after beating Lithuania 3-0.

Along with Israel, Wales and Russia, the other runners-up missing out were Turkey, Slovakia and Belgium.

Surprisingly, France, who beat Malta 2-0 on Tuesday, did not make the top two positions in Group 8. Ukraine, unexpectedly, finished first ahead of Belgium.

The play-offs will take place between October 9 and 13, with the seven winners joining hosts Denmark in the final tournament next June.

Group winners: Romania, Switzerland, Italy, Netherlands, Czech Republic, Sweden, Croatia, Ukraine, Greece, Scotland.

Best runners-up: Spain, England, Belarus, Iceland.