Even with a 4-0 advantage and just 90 minutes to negotiate, there is little chance Ireland's players will be allowed to relax in the second leg of their European Championship playoff against Estonia on Tuesday. Veteran coach Giovanni Trapattoni has seen just about all there is to see in a near 40-year coaching career and is determined to avoid any slip-ups in Dublin.

Ireland took a huge step toward qualification for the 2012 European Championship on Friday with a 4-0 win over nine-man Estonia in the first leg of their playoff. Goals from Keith Andrews, Jon Walters and two in the closing stages from captain Robbie Keane gave Ireland the win, in which Estonia's poor defending was ruthlessly exposed by Giovanni Trapattoni's men.

Croatia had to settle for a place in the playoffs for next year's European Championship despite beating Latvia 2-0 Tuesday in their final qualifier thanks to goals from Eduardo da Silva and Mario Mandzukic. Croatia finished second in Group F behind Greece, which rallied late for a 2-1 victory over Georgia.

Croatia clinched at least a spot in the playoffs for next year's European Championship by beating Latvia 2-0 Tuesday in their final qualifier thanks to goals from Eduardo da Silva and Mario Mandzukic. Croatia finished second in Group F behind Greece, which rallied late for a 2-1 victory over Georgia, but could qualify as best runner-up depending on results in the later games.

Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson says Wayne Rooney's fitness is improving and he will be assessed Thursday to see if he is ready to play. Rooney, who had been training in Portland, Ore., is back in England and expected to practice Wednesday. Ferguson wouldn't say when he would play a competitive match.

Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson says Wayne Rooney's fitness is improving and he will be assessed Thursday to see if he is ready to play again. Rooney, who had been training in the United States, is back in England and was due to practice Wednesday but Ferguson wouldn't say when he would play a competitive match.

Wayne Rooney will spend a week in the United States doing conditioning work to aid his recovery from the ankle injury that has kept him out for three weeks. The Manchester United striker will train at Nike's headquarters in Portland, Oregon. United assistant manager Mike Phelan says the club hopes Rooney benefits from "a change of scenery." Rooney's conduct has been scrutinized by...