Turkey triumph in Group 9

Turkey and the Netherlands edged into the Elite round of the 2004/05 UEFA European Championship by claiming the top two positions in Group 9 as Wales dramatically missed out at the last for the second successive year despite remaining unbeaten.

Narrow margins
The top three sides in the section finished level on five points, with Turkey claiming first place by virtue of a superior goal difference from the games against the Dutch and the Welsh. The Netherlands finished second by virtue of a better goal difference overall, leaving Wales bemoaning their fortune again having being eliminated by a late goal in the Elite round in last season's competition.

Scoreless start
Mini-tournament hosts the Netherlands met Wales at the HBSS stadium in Schiedam in the first round of matches, and a goalless draw ensured both sides began their campaigns in solid fashion.

Narrow success
Turkey, meanwhile, ran out 2-1 winners against Armenia at the Sportpark Harga stadium, taking the lead in the 31st minute thanks to Özgürcan Özcan's penalty. Although Alik Khachatryan levelled for Armen Gyulbudaghyants's team 12 minutes into the second period, Deniz Yilmaz settled the contest with Turkey's winner two minutes past the hour.

Valuable point
Turkey consolidated after their winning start in the second round of matches, earning a point against the Welsh at the HBSS stadium. Murat Duruer put Unal Karaman's side ahead in the ninth minute, with Scott McCoubrey restoring parity eight minutes after half-time. Although the Welsh goalscorer was dismissed a minute past the hour, Turkey were unable to exploit the man advantage and the match ended all square.

Six for Dutch
The Dutch turned on the style at the Sportpark Harga stadium, brushing aside Armenia to win 6-1 despite the 29th-minute dismissal of Ömer Özcelik. Ruud Kaiser's side were already a goal up by that stage, with Ruud Vormer striking in the 16th minute, but Hayk Chilingaryan restored parity from the penalty spot after Özcelik's foul. The Netherlands quickly found their form in the second half, however, Diego Biseswar making it 2-1 within four minutes of the restart before Rawley Rozendaal and a Robert Arzumanyan own goal put the Dutch in complete control. Biseswar and Rozendaal wrapped up the win as each scored their second goals of the game in the final ten minutes.

Hard-earned win
Wales recorded their first victory in their final game, but had to come from behind at the HBSS stadium as Gorik Khachatryan gave Armenia a 22nd-minute lead. Scott Hillman brought Ian Rush's side level in the 53rd minute, but the Welsh were made to work for the three points before Marc Williams scored what proved to be the winner nine minutes from time.

Draw delight
The narrow margin of that victory meant that a draw at the Sportpark Harga stadium would leave Turkey and the Netherlands to occupy the first two positions in the section. Ultimately, the Dutch snatched second place in dramatic fashion, Geert Roorda scoring with only three minutes left to play after Özcan have given Turkey a 59th-minute lead from the penalty spot.