Turkey beat Iceland to secure Euro 2016 spot

But in the end neither happened, with the 1988 European champions going down 3-2 to the Czechs, their third loss in four qualifiers under Danny Blind, while Turkey beat Iceland 1-0. The ensuing 1-0 success confirmed their presence at the 2016 Euros in France, eight years after their last appearance.

The Dutch, who finished third at the World Cup only previous year, needed to win in Amsterdam to have any chance of making the playoffs for France after the remnants of the disastrous Guus Hiddink tenure. “I won only one match (out of four since taking over)”.

Selcuk sent an unstoppable shot past Iceland goalkeeper Ogmundur Kristinsson in the 89th minute to hand Turkey victory on Tuesday night when pretty much everything went their way.

Norway and Ukraine both had a point more than Turkey from their 10 games but the rules of the qualifying are that the results against the sixth-placed sides are discounted, which ensured Turkey’s passage.

As the best third-placed team in the nine qualifying groups, Turkey avoided having to contest a play-off fixture next month.

The draw for the Euro 2016 playoffs is on October 18, with the two-legged ties to be played between November 12-17.

Norway had started the day two points clear of Croatia but were beaten 2-1 by already-qualified Italy in Rome, despite Alexander Tettey of Norwich City putting the visitors ahead.

After the game, TFF President Yıldırım Demirören and Turkey coach Fatih Terim went to the dressing room to congratulate the footballers, providing an opportunity for Demirören to address the team.

Elsewhere in that group, Bulgaria ended a disappointing campaign by knocking off Azerbaijan 2-0, which was also the scoreline as Wales celebrated their qualification with a home win over Andorra. In a showdown in Nicosia, Mehmed Bazdarevic’s team proved to be better, winning 3-2 with two Haris Medunjanin goals and second half strike of Milan Duric.

Belgium, who like Wales had already secured their berth in France, were 3-1 winners over Israel thanks to goals from Dries Mertens, Kevin de Bruyne and Eden Hazard.