David Votoupal
Well-Known Member
With World Cup qualifiers coming up, I'll do a thread for each continent.
Group 1
March 28-
Malta v Denmark
Albania v Hungary
Portugal v Sweden
April 1-
Hungary v Malta
Denmark v Albania
Portugal v Sweden is a possible six-pointer with both sides out of the top two, despite clearly expecting to be there. Denmark can extend their lead at the top if they win both their games. Albania blew a good chance by drawing in Malta last time out, while Hungary can continue their tentative revival if pick up points- a meeting between the two could see who have the better chance.
Group 2
March 28-
Luxembourg v Latvia
Moldova v Switzerland
Israel v Greece
April 1-
Latvia v Luxembourg
Switzerland v Moldova
Greece v Israel
Greece, having qualified for the last two European championships and winning in 2004, will want to see that success translated to the World Cup stage as they currently top the group. Israel, having given a good account of themselves in both 2006 World Cup and Euro 2008 qualifiers, will look to seize their chance while Switzerland have won their last two and expect to win the next two. Luxembourg have provided the fairytale so far with a historic win in Switzerland- can they win more games and create more history?
Group 3
March 28-
Northern Ireland v Poland
Slovenia v Czech Republic
April 1-
Czech Republic v Slovakia
Poland v San Marino
Northern Ireland v Slovenia
This really is a Group of Death with only two points separating five teams, four of them tied on seven points! Northern Ireland, one of the most improved teams in world football over the last 5 years, have a wonderful opportunity with two home games while Czech Republic host neighbours Slovakia in a six-pointer. Actually, they're all pretty much six-pointers in this one!
Group 4
March 28-
Russia v Azerbaijan
Wales v Finland
Germany v Liechtenstein
April 1-
Liechtenstein v Russia
Wales v Germany
Wales v Finland is a possible six-pointer with two sides gunning for second place, and the Welsh also host Germany. Russia will expect a full six points, but one would be foolish to rule out Liechtenstein putting up a fight against the big boys as they've been known to do.
Group 5
March 28-
Armenia v Estonia
Belgium v Bosnia-Herzegovina
Spain v Turkey
April 1-
Estonia v Armenia
Bosnia-Herzegovina v Belgium
Turkey v Spain
Four six-pointers in this one. Spain have a 100% record and it's hard not to see them win this group, leaving Turkey, Belgium and Bosnia-Herzegovina to fight it out for second place. Bosnia-Herzegovina have thrashed the weaker sides in the group to boost their GD, while Belgium are clawing back after a lean period.
Group 6
April 1-
Kazakhstan v Belarus
Andorra v Croatia
England v Ukraine
England, like Spain, have a 100% record so far and it's hard not to see them qualifying from this point. Ukraine, Belarus and Kazakhstan all need points, though, to stay in the mix with Croatia having an easy away game.
Group 7
March 28-
Romania v Serbia
Lithuania v France
April 1-
Austria v Romania
France v Lithuania
Who would have thought that Serbia and Lithuania would be leading this group? For France, Romania and Austria it's a now or never proposition with France considered to be in decline.
Group 8
March 28-
Cyprus v Georgia
Montenegro v Italy
Republic of Ireland v Bulgaria
April 1-
Bulgaria v Cyprus
Georgia v Montenegro
Italy v Republic of Ireland
Italy and the Republic of Ireland have established a comfortable lead in this group, with the two sides facing off for group leadership on April 1, Trapattoni taking his troops to face his homeland. The rest of the teams are just desparate for points at this stage, although Montenegro have held their own in their first competitive adventure.
Group 9
March 28-
Netherlands v Scotland
April 1-
Netherlands v Macedonia
Scotland v Iceland
The Netherlands are the only side in Europe other than England and Spain to have a 100% record in qualifying thus far, and face two sides looking to get at least 2nd place- with not much to separate the other four teams in the group. :ashamed:
Group 1
March 28-
Malta v Denmark
Albania v Hungary
Portugal v Sweden
April 1-
Hungary v Malta
Denmark v Albania
Portugal v Sweden is a possible six-pointer with both sides out of the top two, despite clearly expecting to be there. Denmark can extend their lead at the top if they win both their games. Albania blew a good chance by drawing in Malta last time out, while Hungary can continue their tentative revival if pick up points- a meeting between the two could see who have the better chance.
Group 2
March 28-
Luxembourg v Latvia
Moldova v Switzerland
Israel v Greece
April 1-
Latvia v Luxembourg
Switzerland v Moldova
Greece v Israel
Greece, having qualified for the last two European championships and winning in 2004, will want to see that success translated to the World Cup stage as they currently top the group. Israel, having given a good account of themselves in both 2006 World Cup and Euro 2008 qualifiers, will look to seize their chance while Switzerland have won their last two and expect to win the next two. Luxembourg have provided the fairytale so far with a historic win in Switzerland- can they win more games and create more history?
Group 3
March 28-
Northern Ireland v Poland
Slovenia v Czech Republic
April 1-
Czech Republic v Slovakia
Poland v San Marino
Northern Ireland v Slovenia
This really is a Group of Death with only two points separating five teams, four of them tied on seven points! Northern Ireland, one of the most improved teams in world football over the last 5 years, have a wonderful opportunity with two home games while Czech Republic host neighbours Slovakia in a six-pointer. Actually, they're all pretty much six-pointers in this one!
Group 4
March 28-
Russia v Azerbaijan
Wales v Finland
Germany v Liechtenstein
April 1-
Liechtenstein v Russia
Wales v Germany
Wales v Finland is a possible six-pointer with two sides gunning for second place, and the Welsh also host Germany. Russia will expect a full six points, but one would be foolish to rule out Liechtenstein putting up a fight against the big boys as they've been known to do.
Group 5
March 28-
Armenia v Estonia
Belgium v Bosnia-Herzegovina
Spain v Turkey
April 1-
Estonia v Armenia
Bosnia-Herzegovina v Belgium
Turkey v Spain
Four six-pointers in this one. Spain have a 100% record and it's hard not to see them win this group, leaving Turkey, Belgium and Bosnia-Herzegovina to fight it out for second place. Bosnia-Herzegovina have thrashed the weaker sides in the group to boost their GD, while Belgium are clawing back after a lean period.
Group 6
April 1-
Kazakhstan v Belarus
Andorra v Croatia
England v Ukraine
England, like Spain, have a 100% record so far and it's hard not to see them qualifying from this point. Ukraine, Belarus and Kazakhstan all need points, though, to stay in the mix with Croatia having an easy away game.
Group 7
March 28-
Romania v Serbia
Lithuania v France
April 1-
Austria v Romania
France v Lithuania
Who would have thought that Serbia and Lithuania would be leading this group? For France, Romania and Austria it's a now or never proposition with France considered to be in decline.
Group 8
March 28-
Cyprus v Georgia
Montenegro v Italy
Republic of Ireland v Bulgaria
April 1-
Bulgaria v Cyprus
Georgia v Montenegro
Italy v Republic of Ireland
Italy and the Republic of Ireland have established a comfortable lead in this group, with the two sides facing off for group leadership on April 1, Trapattoni taking his troops to face his homeland. The rest of the teams are just desparate for points at this stage, although Montenegro have held their own in their first competitive adventure.
Group 9
March 28-
Netherlands v Scotland
April 1-
Netherlands v Macedonia
Scotland v Iceland
The Netherlands are the only side in Europe other than England and Spain to have a 100% record in qualifying thus far, and face two sides looking to get at least 2nd place- with not much to separate the other four teams in the group. :ashamed:
