Four matches began play in the UEFA group phase of qualifying for Germany 2006. Romania edged Finland 2-1 in a meeting of potential surprise packages in Group 1, but the early group leaders are Macedonia FYR, 3-0 winners over Armenia. In Group 3, Estonia seemed to struggle against Liechtenstein, who finished with nine players after Christof RITTER and Andreas GERSTER were both dismissed; the Estonians emerged with a 2-1 win. Slovakia defeated Luxembourg 3-1 at home in the day's only other match.