Sweden and Turkey face an uphill battle to reach the quarter-finals of Euro 2000 after fighting out the first goalless draw of the tournament in the Group B match in Eindhoven.

Sweden striker Kennet Andersson came closest to breaking the deadlock, but in the end the two sides were forced to settle for a point that ensures Group B leaders Italy a place in the last eight.

The stalemate means Belgium will qualify alongside Italy if they can beat Turkey in their final Group B match in Brussels on Monday.

Sweden will perhaps the more disappointed of the two sides after enjoying the majority of possession against a disappointing Turkish side.

With both sides needing victory to boost their chances in Euro 2000, it was no surprise to see a scrappy start from both sides on a pitch which looked a little slippery underfoot.

Sweden went into the match without defenders Roland Nilsson and Patrik Andersson, leaving coach Tommy Soderberg to make several mostly positional changes, while fit-again Henrik Larsson returned to the starting line-up for the first time since October of last year.

The Swedes made the better start with Andersson forcing a fine save from Turkey goalkeeper Rustu from his 25-yard free-kick.

Turkey gradually got themselves into the game and, as against Italy in their opening match, they looked dangerous on the break, though they lacked the urgency to pressure the Swedes into errors.

Umit should have done better than shoot well wide when Hakan Sukur's cross found him in space at the far post, while Leicester City midfielder Muzzy Izzet almost crowned his debut for Turkey with a goal after an atheltic left-foot volley.

Sweden clearly had a game-plan to utilise their extra height by sending in several high balls to test the Turkish defence, but it was a smart piece of inter-play which almost brought them the lead on the half-hour mark.

Larsson linked up well in midfield and then a little reverse pass left Andersson in space, but his finely struck left-foot shot was well saved by Rustu's left foot and Turkey cleared to safety.

Arsenal's Fredrik Lungberg appealed for a penalty when he claimed he'd been brought down inside the area on the stroke of half-time but the referee waved away the protests.

Andersson was replaced by Jorgen Pettersen after suffering an injury in the first-half but it didn't make any obvious difference as both sides lacked the cutting edge.

With time running out, Sweden won a free-kick on the edge of the area but Pettersen's right-foot strike drifted was symptomatic of the whole match as it drifted harmlessly over the bar.

Hakan Sukur, who hardly had a chance all night, almost clinched victory in the dying minutes, but his header went over the bar.

Italy, with two wins out of two, are now assured of reaching the next stage, while Turkey must beat Belgium and Sweden must beat the Italians to make it through.