LISBON, June 23: Italy, runners-up four years ago, made an extraordinary exit from Euro 2004 on Tuesday despite beating Bulgaria 2-1 in their last group game. Denmark and Sweden qualified for the quarterfinals from Group 'C' after the Scandinavian neighbours drew 2-2 in Porto, a result which suited both teams and is certain to fuel Italian conspiracy theories.

Sweden top the group after midfielder Mattias Jonson poked in an equaliser one minute from time, sparking delirious scenes among the Swedish players and fans. Seconds later Italy grabbed victory in Guimaraes with a goal from Antonio Cassano deep in injury time. But it was to no avail and Italy were out.

It was only in the closing seconds of a full-blooded game that the Swedes played out time in their own half to guarantee a 2-2 draw, a result that had been the focus of huge speculation in the days leading up to the game.

Sweden, Denmark and Italy all finished on five points, but the Italians go out as a result of scoring fewer goals in the games involving the three teams.Denmark now face the Czech Republic in the quarterfinals. Sweden will play the runner-up in group 'D', either Germany, the Netherlands or Latvia.

Italy, who had trailed at halftime to a Martin Petrov penalty, equalised through a second half goal from Simone Perrotta before Cassano's late but futile strike. Striker Jon Dahl Tomasson scored both goals for the Danes, who led twice.

Sweden's Henrik Larsson had equalised for Sweden early in the second half, before Jonson saved the Swedes from elimination with his late goal. Jonson pounced after Danish goalkeeper Thomas Sorensen failed to hold a cross shot.

Meanwhile, Italy have stopped short of making an official complaint about the drawn Nordic derby that sent them out despite voicing suspicions about the result. UEFA dismissed dark mutterings from the Italians about the 2-2 draw between Denmark and Sweden that saw the Scandinavian pair go through to the last eight at Italy's expense.

"Frankly, if they (Sweden and Denmark) had tried to put that together and succeeded in putting it together they should get a Hollywood contract," said UEFA spokesman William Gaillard.

Italy are the second former winners to go home after Spain's early exit. Another former champion will fall by the wayside on Wednesday when Germany or the Netherlands will be eliminated.

The repercussions of Italy's dramatic exit from the tournament were still being felt on Wednesday. The drawn Nordic derby is certain to fuel Italian conspiracy theories for years to come.

Franco Carraro, a member of the UEFA executive committee and president of the Italian soccer federation, hinted that Sweden and Denmark colluded to arrange Italy's exit.

"There is no doubt that the way the Denmark-Sweden game developed shows that the two teams were aiming for a draw. Of course, proof of that is hard to find," Carraro told Italian television.

UEFA's Gaillard urged the Italians to accept their exit with good grace. "We would like people in charge of national teams to also keep their cool in the most difficult moments and accept defeat when you have to," he said.-Reuters

Group 'C' standings: (Tabulated under - played, won, drawn, lost, goals for, goals against, points):