LONDON, Nov 20: The Netherlands, Spain, Russia, Croatia and unheralded Latvia all clinched places in the finals of Euro 2004 following a night of drama and upset on Wednesday.

After a series of surprise first leg results on Saturday, four of the five favourites came through with varying degrees of safety in the second legs as the Dutch led the way thanks to a 6-0 demolition of Scotland for a 6-1 aggregate win.

Spain put their nerves to one side after an unimpressive 2-1 victory over Norway to win 3-0 in Oslo for a 5-1 aggregate success.

Russia, held to a goalless draw by Wales in Moscow in the first leg, won 1-0 in Cardiff to take their place in Portugal, while Croatia, also held to a draw beat Slovenia 1-0 away in the second leg to go through 2-1 on aggregate.

But the biggest shock came in Istanbul where Latvia produced a major upset by knocking out World Cup semi-finalists Turkey to reach the finals of a major tournament for the first time.

Latvia fought back from 2-0 down to force a 2-2 draw in the last 24 minutes and win the tie 3-2 on aggregate after their shock 1-0 home win in Riga in the first leg.

The Netherlands needed just 14 minutes for Wesley Sneijder to wipe out Scotland’s first leg advantage and after that they scored with almost embarrassing ease as Ruud Van Nistelrooy grabbed a hat trick and Andre Ooijer and Frank de Boer added the others in the 6-0 whitewash.

Wales, bidding to reach a major finals for the first time since the 1958 World Cup.

Vadim Yevseyev scored the only goal after 22 minutes.

A stunning volley from Ilhan Mansiz gave Turkey the lead after 21 minutes and a close-range chip from Hakan Sukur (64) put them 2-1 up on aggregate.

But Jurijs Laizans put Latvia back in front on the away goals rule with a fortuitous strike from a free-kick after 66 minutes before Maris Verpakovskis scored to ensure Latvia’s shock overall win.

Spain also ensured they would be taking part in Portugal next summer after a convincing win with goals from Raul (34), Vicente (49) and Joseba Etxeberria, who scored with a flukey 55th minute header.

Spain ran out 5-1 aggregate winners but matters were much closer for Croatia who edged Slovenia by the only goal after a second-half strike from the in-form Dado Prso for a 2-1 aggregate win.

Prso scored the decisive goal for Croatia after 61 minutes.—Reuters

The Netherlands 6 Scotland 0

(Netherland’s win 6-1 on aggregate)

Turkey 2 Latvia 2

(Latvia win 3-2 on aggregate)

Norway 0 Spain 3

(Spain win 5-1 on aggregate)

Wales 0 Russia 1

(Russia win 1-0 on aggregate)

Slovenia 0 Croatia 1

(Croatia win 2-1 on aggregate)