Romania rise to Group G summit

Romania lead UEFA EURO 2008™ qualifying Group G on goal difference after a 2-1 win against Slovenia in Celje in which both sides were reduced to ten men.

Whip hand
With the Netherlands not in action until September, Victor Piturca's side seized the whip hand in the section with Gabriel Tamas and Banel Nicolita scoring second-half. Romania's Daniel Niculae and Bostjan Cesar of Slovenia were later dismissed for professional fouls before substitute Dare Vršič volleyed a consolation goal for the home side deep into added time.

Handanovič impressed
The hosts produced the first meaningful chance of the opening half with Klemen Lavrič firing over from Robert Koren's cross. Adrian Mutu then put an effort too high for Romania before Nicolita tested Slovenia goalkeeper Samir Handanovič with a long-range shot. Mutu forced the goalkeeper into action again and Handanovič then produced a great save to deny Paul Codrea from ten metres.

Tamas volley
Handanovič kept out a second Mutu effort with another fine save after 50 minutes, turning the ACF Fiorentina striker's shot round the post, but he could do little to prevent Tamas volleying the opener from ten metres two minutes later. The goalkeeper pushed another Mutu shot round the post on 56 minutes but Nicolita made it 2-0 13 minutes later with a low shot from close range.

Wednesday rematch
Romania goalkeeper Bogdan Lobont was called into serious action for the first time in the 73rd minute to tip a Lavrič effort round the post before Cesar and Niculae both saw red. Vršič's last-gasp consolation came too late for Slovenia. The two sides meet again on Wednesday in Timisoara with Romania looking to move three points clear at the top of the section.