Post by Crying Shame on Sept 11, 2003 14:40:52 GMT
: Bulgaria qualify after 3-0 win over Andorra
Bulgaria have qualified for next year's European Championship finals after their 3-0 win in Andorra in their Group Eight match.
The result, coupled with Belgium's 2-1 win over Croatia in Brussels, means Bulgaria cannot be caught at the top of Group Eight.
Striker Dimitar Berbatov put Bulgaria ahead with two goals in the opening 23 minutes as the visitors took a comfortable lead.
Midfielder Marian Hristov wrapped up victory with a third just after the hour.
Andorra were reduced to 10 men five minutes from time when defender Francesc Ramirez was sent off for kicking out at Daniel Borimirov.
In Brussels, two goals in the space of eight first-half minutes from Wesley Sonck gave Belgium a 2-1 victory over Croatia.
Sonck opened the scoring after 35 minutes when he curled in a majestic free-kick but the lead only lasted one minute as Dario Simic equalised from a corner.
Two minutes from the interval Sonck scored what proved to be the decisive goal.
Croatia had defender Josip Simunic sent-off in the 72nd minute.
Bulgaria remain unbeaten at the top of the group with 17 points from seven matches, four clear of Croatia, whose defeat in Belgium meant the two sides will fight it out for the play-off place.
Both sides have 13 points with Croatia due to face Bulgaria while Belgium will entertain Estonia in the last round of matches on October 11.
Andorra's defeat meant they ended yet another qualification campaign without earning a single point.
Bulgaria have qualified for next year's European Championship finals after their 3-0 win in Andorra in their Group Eight match.
The result, coupled with Belgium's 2-1 win over Croatia in Brussels, means Bulgaria cannot be caught at the top of Group Eight.
Striker Dimitar Berbatov put Bulgaria ahead with two goals in the opening 23 minutes as the visitors took a comfortable lead.
Midfielder Marian Hristov wrapped up victory with a third just after the hour.
Andorra were reduced to 10 men five minutes from time when defender Francesc Ramirez was sent off for kicking out at Daniel Borimirov.
In Brussels, two goals in the space of eight first-half minutes from Wesley Sonck gave Belgium a 2-1 victory over Croatia.
Sonck opened the scoring after 35 minutes when he curled in a majestic free-kick but the lead only lasted one minute as Dario Simic equalised from a corner.
Two minutes from the interval Sonck scored what proved to be the decisive goal.
Croatia had defender Josip Simunic sent-off in the 72nd minute.
Bulgaria remain unbeaten at the top of the group with 17 points from seven matches, four clear of Croatia, whose defeat in Belgium meant the two sides will fight it out for the play-off place.
Both sides have 13 points with Croatia due to face Bulgaria while Belgium will entertain Estonia in the last round of matches on October 11.
Andorra's defeat meant they ended yet another qualification campaign without earning a single point.
