Serbia fly on 'wings of success'

Serbia Under-21 coach Ratomir Dujković believes the senior team's achievement in qualifying for the 2010 FIFA World Cup will spur his side on as they look to match that success by claiming a place in the 2011 UEFA European Under-21 Championship.

Serb confidence
Serbia are one of 22 sides in qualifying action over the next two days and after beating Cyprus 2-0 on Friday are looking for three more points away to neighbours Croatia on Tuesday. "We're preparing for the game in Varazdin on the wings of the senior team's success and our win against Cyprus," Dujković said. "Even though both Croatia and Serbia have started badly, I expect us to finish at the top of Group 7 so this match is very important and could be decisive." Serbia are second in Group 7, a point behind leaders Slovakia, who are away to Cyprus. Croatia are bottom, but have only played twice and would move level with Serbia if they win.

Greece top
Like Serbia, Greece will be aiming for their second win in four days when they host Lithuania. Kyriakos Papadopoulos's last-minute strike saw off Portugal 2-1 on Friday and kept Nikos Nioplias's side three points clear of England at the top of Group 9, though they have played a game more. "We must be patient as we expect Lithuania to defend in numbers," Nioplias said. "Our goal before this set of home matches was to get maximum points. After beating Portugal we're half-way there."

France challenge
Of the other teams in action, the top two in Group 8 meet in Mouscron where Belgium host France, though Bleuets coach Erick Mombaerts insists "the outcome will not be decisive". He added: "Both teams will try to win and it will be an important game. It's the kind of game players learn from." Ukraine, in third, are away to Slovenia.

Dutch test
After winning the competition in 2006 and 2007, the Netherlands failed to reach the finals in 2009, but they are beginning to find their feet again under new coach Cor Pot. In two Group 4 games they have beaten Finland twice without conceding, but now face their toughest test so far at leaders Poland. With Spain also yet to drop a point, there is no margin for error. "The teams are pretty even," said Pot who will be without injured captain Erik Pieters. "They have a very strong team with a lot of attacking quality."

Russia chance
Romania will look to bounce back from a 5-1 hiding in Latvia when they host the Faroe Islands in Group 1. Emil Săndoi's side had won their first four matches, but have now been joined at the top by Russia who host Moldova. Switzerland beat Estonia 4-1 on Friday and will look to cement their place at the top of Group 2 by winning away to the Republic of Ireland, while Belarus host Albania aiming to move level with Austria and Scotland at the top of Group 10.