#Euro 2016 Qualifying Re-Cap: Germany survive scare, Albania reach first major tournament

Germany survived a scare against Georgia to qualify
for Euro 2016 and Albania will join them, making
history in the process.

Albania will compete in their first major tournament at Euro
2016 after beating Armenia 3-0 on Sunday and they will be
joined by world champions Germany, despite struggling against
Georgia.

A Kamo Hovhannisyan own-goal in the ninth minute was the
perfect tonic to any early Albanian nerves in Armenia and
Ledian Memushaj doubled their lead 14 minutes later.

Armando Sadiku put the result beyond doubt with 14 minutes
remaining to spark scenes of elation, as Albania moved ahead
of Denmark in Group I to secure the second automation
qualification spot behind Portugal.

Portugal closed out their campaign with a 2-1 win in Serbia.
Serbia had both Aleksandar Kolarov and Nemanja Matic sent off
towards the end.

Germany's task proved somewhat trickier, as the 2014 World
Cup winners struggled to overcome a dogged Georgia side 2-1 in
Leipzig, needing Max Kruse's late goal to secure top spot in
Group D.

It took the hosts 50 minutes to break the deadlock, as Thomas
Muller slotted in from the penalty spot, but Jaba Kankava, who
fouled Mesut Ozil for the spot-kick, equalised just three minutes
later, firing home a stunning volley.

Second-half substitute Kruse spared Germany's blushes,
though, producing a tidy first-time finish 11 minutes from the
end to wrap up all three points and the team's passage to
France.

Poland endured a similarly tough contest in Group D's other
crucial fixture, as the Republic of Ireland proved a stern test
after Grzegorz Krychowiak's stunning 13th-minute long-range
opener - Jonathan Walters hitting back from the penalty spot a
few moments later.

A thumping Robert Lewandowski header just before the break
ultimately proved decisive, though, and a second yellow for
John O'Shea in second-half stoppage time seemingly ended the
visitors' already dwindling hopes, as Poland held on in Warsaw
to secure qualification.

A Steven Fletcher hat-trick helped Scotland to a 6-0 thrashing of
Gibraltar in Faro.

Romania also made sure of their place in France thanks to a
comfortable 3-0 win over hosts Faroe Islands, Constantin
Budescu netting a double and Alexandru Maxim adding a late
third to finish second in Group F behind Northern Ireland, who
drew 1-1 in Finland.

Greece claimed their first win of the qualifying phase in the
shape of a thrilling 4-3 victory over Hungary, who finished third
in the group despite the result.