Dutch to miss out?

Dutch to

miss out?

PARIS (AP):

Qualifying for the largest-ever European Championship was supposed to be easy.

With only two games left to play, however, the Netherlands are in danger of missing out.

Four teams - Iceland, the Czech Republic, England and Austria - have already qualified to join hosts France, with 19 of the 24 places still up for grabs.

The top two from the nine groups and the best third-place team qualify automatically. The eight remaining third-place teams can qualify through the playoffs in November.

The Netherlands, playing in Group A, are facing the real possibility of failing to qualify for the European Championship for the first time since 1984.

Iceland and the Czech Republic are already through, with Turkey third and playing the top two teams in their final push for a playoff berth.

If Turkey beat both, they will reach the playoffs and eliminate the Dutch.

The Netherlands play last-place Kazakhstan in Astana on Saturday and take on the Czechs the following Tuesday in Amsterdam.

Germany, Group D, need a point from their games against Ireland in Dublin today and Georgia in Leipzig on Sunday.

Poland, second with 17 points, are in the best position to secure the other direct qualification place, leaving Ireland and Scotland to scrap for what's most likely a playoff spot.

Poland play Scotland in Glasgow today before hosting Ireland in Warsaw on Sunday.