Spanish stroll not enough for automatic Euro 2004 ticket

Goals from Juan Carlos Valeron, Raul and a brace from Jose Antonio Reyes were not enough to hand Spain an automatic ticket to the Euro 2004 finals despite a fine 4-0 romp over Armenia in their final Group 6 qualifier.

Thirteen months ago Spain, overwhelming favourites to win the group, had made a dream start to their campaign with a 2-0 win in Greece.

But a 1-0 home reverse to the same opponents in June had knocked Inaki Saez's Spaniards off top spot and they faced going into the playoffs assuming Greece, who had stacked up five straight wins, could see off Northern Ireland in their final qualifier in Athens.

The Greeks duly picked up three points and Spain must go into the playoffs.

"I think with this sort of showing we can beat any team in the playoffs and get to Portugal. This result gives us a lot of confidence," Real Madrid forward Raul insisted afterwards.

"We're still in with a shout and I think this match showed we have what it takes," was Saez's reaction.

Valeron fired home his third goal for his country off a pass from Joseba Etxeberria following a fluent move which caught the Armenians cold but thereafter Spain missed several chances which could have calmed their frayed nerves before a late purple patch in front of goal.

Raul, Spain's all-time top scorer with 35 goals in 66 games after Saturday, smacked in a typically predatory second with 15 minutes remaining with Etxeberria again the provider.

But it was almost at that exact moment that Greece took the lead in their game, and suddenly Spanish celebrations were muted.

Reyes slammed in two goals in the final four minutes left-footed from close range but the Spanish still finished with 17 points, one behind the Greeks, who go straight through to next summer's finals in Portugal.