Euro Qualifying Scaenarios: Wednesday Will Settle Everything

voldemort · 11-18-2007, 05:23 PM

Six more countries booked their places in the Euro 2008 finals next summer following the outcome of Saturday's penultimate round of matches.

They included Poland, who qualified for the first time in this tournament after beating Belgium.

As well as the Poles, world champions Italy, Netherlands and Spain also secured their passage with victories. But Croatia qualified despite losing, thanks to Israel's win over Russia in Group E. And France got through without even playing on Saturday, Italy's against Scotland ensuring their progress.

So the identities of 12 of next June's finalists are now known. Those six have joined co-hosts Austria and Switzerland plus already qualified Greece (the defending champions), Germany, Romania and the Czech Republic.

Here is how it looks now, Group by Group, ahead of Wednesday's final round of matches...

GROUP A - Poland Make It At Last

Finland did what they had to on Saturday - beat Azerbaijan (albeit narrowly, 2-1 at home) but both Poland and Portugal above them won too.

Poland's 2-0 victory in Chorzow against Belgium was achieved with goals either side of half-time by Euzebiusz Smolarek, and ensured that the Poles will participate in the finals of the European Championship for the first time.

The question of who will go through with Leo Beenhakker's side from Group A is not yet resolved - but Portugal now need just one point from their final game at home to Finland on Wednesday to qualify after Hugo Almeida's header gave them a 1-0 win over Armenia.

If Portugal can get that point they will pip Finland for second place. The Finns' victory over Azerbaijan earlier in the day meant Portugal had to win to regain their three-point advantage over Roy Hodgson's team. And Finland could yet qualify - if they can beat Portugal in Porto. They will then be tied on 26 points but as the first game between them ended 1-1, Finland would have the better head-to-head record.

Serbia - whose home game against Kazakhstan was postponed for 24 hours because of heavy sbow in Belgrade - are not entirely out of the picture yet either. Their hopes rest on first beating Kazakhstan on Sunday, weather permitting (it could be postponed again, until next Saturday) - and then winning their last match on Wednesday at home to Poland - provided Portugal also lose to Finland.

GROUP B - The Last World Cup Finalists Both Make It

The two teams who contested the last World Cup final will both be involved in the Euro Championships next summer.

But while France merely had to watch and hope, being without a game on Saturday, Italy had to go the cauldron of Hampden Park and not lose. In fact the Azzurri won 2-1, with goals in the first and last minutes, and it not only propelled Italy to the top of the group but, by ending Scottish hopes, also put France through.

It is no consolation to the brave challenge by Alex McLeish's men that they beat France home and away earlier in the campaign.

Italy will be group winners if they beat the Faroe Islands away on Wednesday. France are in Ukraine that day and while no outcome can compromise their qualification, they can win the Group if:

Italy draw and France win
Italy lose and France draw or win.

GROUP C - Turkish Delight?

Greece, already qualified, celebrated by beating Malta 5-0 at home to clinch top place, but the main interest centred on the fight for second place. And that interest remains intense after Turkey beat Norway 2-1 in Oslo.

The result puts the Turks a point clear of the Norwegians and well placed to finish the job on Wednesday when they are at home to Bosnia-Herzegovina and Norway travel to Malta. Norway are relying on Turkey dropping points in that last game, while they themselves win.

GROUP D - Already Sorted

The Czech Republic and Germany had already secured qualification from Group D. They remain tied at the top on 26 points after the Czechs beat neighbours Slovakia 3-1 and Germany crushed Cyprus 4-0 on Saturday.

Wednesday sees Germany wrap up their campaign at home to Wales, while the Czech Republic travel to Cyprus.

I their head-to-head meetings the Germans won 2-1 in Prague, while the Czechs were 3-0 winners in Munich.

GROUP E - Lifeline For England

Russia's 2-1 defeat at the hands of Israel in Tel-Aviv means that Croatia, three points clear at the top, are guaranteed at least second place even though they lost their unbeaten record on Saturday when going down 2-0 away to FYR Macedonia in Skopje.

That result resurrected England's dwindling hopes of progress. The Three Lions now have a two-point lead over Russia, which means they need just a point at home to Croatia on Wednesday while the Russians are playing and presumably beating Andorra.

But if Croatia beat England and Russia win in Andorra, Guus Hiddink's team will accompany the Croats to the finals.

GROUP F - Spain Clinch It, N. Ireland Cling On

Spain booked their place in the finals in some style, sweeping Sweden aside 3-0 in Madrid.

The Swedes are now two points behind the Spanish in second place, and will still qualify if they manage to take a point from Latvia in their last game.

But if Sweden lose, then third-placed Northern Ireland – who beat Denmark 2-1 in Belfast on Saturday – can edge the Swedes out of second place on the head-to-head rule - as long as they beat Spain in Gran Canaria.

GROUP G - The Oranje Join The Romanians

Holland booked their place in the finals but they had to work hard against spirited underdogs Luxembourg in Rotterdam. A 43rd-minute Danny Koevermans goal gave them the 1-0 win that was enough for Marco Basten's side.

It took the Dutch four points clear of third-placed Bulgaria, who beat already-qualified Romania earlier in the day.

The Netherlands and Romania are level on 26 points with final games to come on Wednesday against Belarus and Albania, respectively.

Summary - Euro 2008 Qualifiers

Group A
Winners - Poland/Portugal
Runners-Up - Portugal/Finland/Serbia

Group B
Winners - Italy/France
Runners-Up - Italy/France

Group C
Winners - Greece
Runners-Up - Turkey/Norway

Group D
Winners - Czech Republic/Germany
Runners-Up - Czech Republic/Germany

Group E
Winners - Croatia/England
Runners-Up - Croatia/England/Russia

Group F
Winners - Spain/Sweden
Runners-Up - Spain/Sweden/Northern Ireland

Group G
Winners - Romania/Netherlands
Runners-Up - Romania/Netherlands

Bold = already qualified.

source:goal.com

11-18-2007, 05:23 PM	#1 (permalink)
voldemort Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 8,186	Euro Qualifying Scaenarios: Wednesday Will Settle Everything Six more countries booked their places in the Euro 2008 finals next summer following the outcome of Saturday's penultimate round of matches. They included Poland, who qualified for the first time in this tournament after beating Belgium. As well as the Poles, world champions Italy, Netherlands and Spain also secured their passage with victories. But Croatia qualified despite losing, thanks to Israel's win over Russia in Group E. And France got through without even playing on Saturday, Italy's against Scotland ensuring their progress. So the identities of 12 of next June's finalists are now known. Those six have joined co-hosts Austria and Switzerland plus already qualified Greece (the defending champions), Germany, Romania and the Czech Republic. Here is how it looks now, Group by Group, ahead of Wednesday's final round of matches... GROUP A - Poland Make It At Last Finland did what they had to on Saturday - beat Azerbaijan (albeit narrowly, 2-1 at home) but both Poland and Portugal above them won too. Poland's 2-0 victory in Chorzow against Belgium was achieved with goals either side of half-time by Euzebiusz Smolarek, and ensured that the Poles will participate in the finals of the European Championship for the first time. The question of who will go through with Leo Beenhakker's side from Group A is not yet resolved - but Portugal now need just one point from their final game at home to Finland on Wednesday to qualify after Hugo Almeida's header gave them a 1-0 win over Armenia. If Portugal can get that point they will pip Finland for second place. The Finns' victory over Azerbaijan earlier in the day meant Portugal had to win to regain their three-point advantage over Roy Hodgson's team. And Finland could yet qualify - if they can beat Portugal in Porto. They will then be tied on 26 points but as the first game between them ended 1-1, Finland would have the better head-to-head record. Serbia - whose home game against Kazakhstan was postponed for 24 hours because of heavy sbow in Belgrade - are not entirely out of the picture yet either. Their hopes rest on first beating Kazakhstan on Sunday, weather permitting (it could be postponed again, until next Saturday) - and then winning their last match on Wednesday at home to Poland - provided Portugal also lose to Finland. GROUP B - The Last World Cup Finalists Both Make It The two teams who contested the last World Cup final will both be involved in the Euro Championships next summer. But while France merely had to watch and hope, being without a game on Saturday, Italy had to go the cauldron of Hampden Park and not lose. In fact the Azzurri won 2-1, with goals in the first and last minutes, and it not only propelled Italy to the top of the group but, by ending Scottish hopes, also put France through. It is no consolation to the brave challenge by Alex McLeish's men that they beat France home and away earlier in the campaign. Italy will be group winners if they beat the Faroe Islands away on Wednesday. France are in Ukraine that day and while no outcome can compromise their qualification, they can win the Group if: Italy draw and France win Italy lose and France draw or win. GROUP C - Turkish Delight? Greece, already qualified, celebrated by beating Malta 5-0 at home to clinch top place, but the main interest centred on the fight for second place. And that interest remains intense after Turkey beat Norway 2-1 in Oslo. The result puts the Turks a point clear of the Norwegians and well placed to finish the job on Wednesday when they are at home to Bosnia-Herzegovina and Norway travel to Malta. Norway are relying on Turkey dropping points in that last game, while they themselves win. GROUP D - Already Sorted The Czech Republic and Germany had already secured qualification from Group D. They remain tied at the top on 26 points after the Czechs beat neighbours Slovakia 3-1 and Germany crushed Cyprus 4-0 on Saturday. Wednesday sees Germany wrap up their campaign at home to Wales, while the Czech Republic travel to Cyprus. I their head-to-head meetings the Germans won 2-1 in Prague, while the Czechs were 3-0 winners in Munich. GROUP E - Lifeline For England Russia's 2-1 defeat at the hands of Israel in Tel-Aviv means that Croatia, three points clear at the top, are guaranteed at least second place even though they lost their unbeaten record on Saturday when going down 2-0 away to FYR Macedonia in Skopje. That result resurrected England's dwindling hopes of progress. The Three Lions now have a two-point lead over Russia, which means they need just a point at home to Croatia on Wednesday while the Russians are playing and presumably beating Andorra. But if Croatia beat England and Russia win in Andorra, Guus Hiddink's team will accompany the Croats to the finals. GROUP F - Spain Clinch It, N. Ireland Cling On Spain booked their place in the finals in some style, sweeping Sweden aside 3-0 in Madrid. The Swedes are now two points behind the Spanish in second place, and will still qualify if they manage to take a point from Latvia in their last game. But if Sweden lose, then third-placed Northern Ireland – who beat Denmark 2-1 in Belfast on Saturday – can edge the Swedes out of second place on the head-to-head rule - as long as they beat Spain in Gran Canaria. GROUP G - The Oranje Join The Romanians Holland booked their place in the finals but they had to work hard against spirited underdogs Luxembourg in Rotterdam. A 43rd-minute Danny Koevermans goal gave them the 1-0 win that was enough for Marco Basten's side. It took the Dutch four points clear of third-placed Bulgaria, who beat already-qualified Romania earlier in the day. The Netherlands and Romania are level on 26 points with final games to come on Wednesday against Belarus and Albania, respectively. *Summary - Euro 2008 Qualifiers* Group A Winners - Poland/Portugal Runners-Up - Portugal/Finland/Serbia Group B Winners - Italy/France Runners-Up - Italy/France Group C Winners - Greece Runners-Up - Turkey/Norway Group D Winners - Czech Republic/Germany Runners-Up - Czech Republic/Germany Group E Winners - Croatia/England Runners-Up - Croatia/England/Russia Group F Winners - Spain/Sweden Runners-Up - Spain/Sweden/Northern Ireland Group G Winners - Romania/Netherlands Runners-Up - Romania/Netherlands Bold = already qualified. source:goal.com