Euro 2004 Qualifying Group Two/ Denmark 2; Romania 2: A goal five minutes into stoppage time by Martin Laursen earned Denmark a 2-2 home draw with Romania that secured at least a Euro 2004 qualification play-off slot and left Group Two still up for grabs.
This thrilling game in Copenhagen was typical of a night of desperation and frantic comparison of head-to-head records. Romania, Denmark, Norway and Bosnia are all still in the hunt for top spot after Bosnia beat Luxembourg 1-0.
Goals from Adrian Mutu and Daniel Pancu had put Romania ahead after after Jon Dahl Tomasson's 35th-minute penalty opener for Denmark.
With Denmark pushing everyone forward in the hunt for the equaliser goalkeeper Thomas Sorensen denied Romania several glorious chances.
Danish coach Morten Olsen said: "We were lucky. . . too many of the players didn't dare to play football. We lost the ball far too easily and obviously that gives troubles against a strong side like Romania." Norway, at home to Luxembourg in their last game, would also get to 14 points with a win.
AC Milan defender Laursen's late effort meant though that both teams now have 14 points but while Romania have finished and must just sit and wait, the Danes can secure top spot with a draw from their final game in Bosnia.
Denmark are assured of at least a play-off slot courtesy of their head-to-head record against Romania and Norway.
However, a victory for Bosnia would give them the group and send them into their first major tournament finals.
DENMARK: Sorensen, Helveg, Henriksen, Niclas Jensen, Laursen, Wieghorst (Poulsen 64), Gravesen, Gronkjaer (Rommedahl 81), Jorgensen, Sand, Tomasson (Claus Jensen 54). Subs Not Used: Skov-Jensen, Nielsen, Roll Larsen, Madsen. Booked: Gronkjaer. Goals: Tomasson 34 pen, Laursen 90.
ROMANIA: Lobont, Chivu, Stoican, Iencsi, Rat, Radoi, Dumitru (Cernat 69), Munteanu, Ganea (Florin Bratu 66), Mutu (Oprita 90), Pancu. Subs Not Used: Stelea, Codrea, Soava, Miu. Booked: Munteanu, Rat, Mutu. Goals: Mutu 61, Pancu 71.
Referee: Urs Meier (Switzerland).
