Crucial match day of qualifying in the race for Euro 2008

With only the hosts (Austria and Switzerland) of the forthcoming Euro 2008 tournament certain of their participation next summer this match day of crucial European Championship qualifiers will go a long way to determining the make-up of the other 14 sides due to arrive in the Alpine region.

Several big European names are under pressure at this stage to put in a good performance including England, who languish in 4th place in Group E, Spain who are three points behind pace setters in Group F, Sweden and Portugal who are 4 points behind Poland.

In Group A the top four go head-to-head with Portugal travelling to Warsaw to face group leaders Poland. Portugal could only manage a 1-1 draw three weeks ago against Azerbaijan and the pressure is on Luiz Felipe Scolari’s men to get a result against the tricky Polish side. Finland, who are arguably over achieving at this stage of qualification sitting in second place, welcome Serbia to Helsinki. Serbia, if they wish to qualify for their second major tournament in a row need to make up the 5 point gap that has developed between them and Poland, and will fancy their chances of beating Finland.

Arguably the game of the match day takes place in Group B where a repeat of the World Cup final takes place in Italy, as France travel over the Alps to their near neighbours. France gained a measure of revenge for loosing their final by beating the World Champions 3-1 last October and the potential winner could almost book their place in the finals. Scotland, who are doing well to keep in touch with two giants of the world game entertain Lithuania, who need a win to keep alive their slim hopes of qualification. The Ukraine will be hoping to take advantage of any Scottish slip up at Hampden Park by beating Georgia by vaulting the Scots to be best positioned to vault France and Italy.

The current holders of the European Championships Greece hold a commanding position in Group C having opened up a five point gap over their nearest rivals Bosnia, Turkey and Norway. Greece don’t play on Saturday giving all three the chance to make up some ground. Turkey are best positioned having played a game less than their other rivals and will be looking to rack up a good score against Malta. Bosnia will be looking to keep their good form going with a trip to under performing Hungary, who are surprisingly languishing in 5th place way off the pace. Norway meanwhile are off to Moldova to play the team who occupy bottom place in the group hopeful of making up some ground.

Germany look to have Group D wrapped up but Ireland and the Czech Republic are still disputing second place. Ireland have the tougher match welcoming Slovakia to Dublin whilst the Czechs are in San Marino, who predictably are mired to the bottom of the group. Germany play Wales who whilst mathematically are still in with a shout of qualification find themselves 7 points adrift of second. A win against Germany will go along way to at least restoring a bit of pride in the team that came so close to qualifying for Euro 2004.

Group E is one of the tightest groups with Russia, Croatia, England and Israel all in with a good shout of qualifying. Russia entertain Macedonia, whilst Croatia entertain Estonia. England face a crunch tie against Israel, arguably the most difficult game to predict the outcome of. The games on Saturday and then on Wednesday will go along way to determining the outcome of Group E.

Northern Ireland are in with a realistic shout of qualification, currently sitting in second place, just two points off group leaders Sweden. Spain are under pressure occupying 3rd place and face a potentially awkward trip to Iceland. Northern Ireland should continue their good form against Latvia, who are bottom of the group, although they have played two games less than most countries in the group. Denmark and Sweden face each other and UEFA will be hoping that this game passes off more peacefully that the last one, when a fan ran onto the pitch to accost the referee late on. That game cost Denmark a 3-0 loss and puts them in a tight corner, meaning that surprise winners of Euro 1992 may not be making an appearance next summer. A win in Stockholm against Nordic neighbours Sweden will at least go some way to restoring their chances.

A three horse race has developed in Group G with Romania, Bulgaria and Holland vying for the two places that will potentially grant entry to the tournament. Romania lead the way with 17 points and have a potentially tricky trip to Belarus, who beat England’s opponents Israel in a friendly 3 weeks ago. Bulgaria sit just behind two points off and face Holland who are a further point behind, but have played a game less. Much like Portugal the pressure is on Holland to make their games in hand count and getting a result against a team better positioned having played more games than them will ease that. Elsewhere the bottom two teams, Slovenia, who aren’t the force they once were, travel to Luxemburg.

So an exciting day of matches in prospect. Check on www.aboutaball.co.uk for all the reaction to the qualifiers.

Posted by Walter Townsend