Heavyweights cruise along

European champions France maintained their perfect start to their Euro 2004 qualifying campaign when they crushed Slovenia 5-0 at the Stade ...

European champions France maintained their perfect start to their Euro 2004 qualifying campaign when they crushed Slovenia 5-0 at the Stade de France on Saturday.

Of the other probable contenders for the European title in Portugal in 2004, England overcame a shaky start to win 2-1 in Slovakia, Turkey did the same to win 2-1 in Macedonia and Italy, runners-up to France in Euro 2000 two years ago, were held to a 1-1 draw by Yugoslavia in Naples.

Spain, always so good in qualifying and usually equally disappointing in the main event, beat Northern Ireland 3-0 in Albacete.

Germany, who drew 1-1 with Bosnia in a friendly on Friday, get back to competitive action against Faroe Islands at home on Wednesday when another full round of qualifiers take place.

Despite downpours of rain across much of the continent which made many pitches wet and muddy, there were no big upsets on Saturday but Latvia did well to win 1-0 in Poland and move to the top of Group Four. Scotland also scored a highly important away win, beating Iceland 2-0 in Reykjavik to end a run of six matches without a win and give their German coach Berti Vogts his first victory in charge of the team. Scotland also moved to the top of their Group Five but have played two matches to Germany’s one.