World cup Euro qualifying

[Black]

Which Euro group is your pick as the hardest to qualify from.

*You can select more than one group in the poll*

My pick would be Group 1 with Czech, Netherlands, and Romania in the same group, closely followed by Group 2 with Turkey, Denmark and Greece.

Each of these groups in my opinion have 3 teams each that are capable or doing some damage in the world cup, yet only two from each group can qualify for the World Cup.

Possibly no Holland for the second consecutive World Cup...

Whats your view? Discuss your opinions on the groups...

[SirManchester]

Yup, you're right. This revitalized Romanian team is growing at a very quick pace and has a lot of potential. I don't think they will be the side to equal 94 Romania but I can give you my word they will give Holland and the Czechs a run for their money and possibly pull a shock upset and top the group.

[Black]

Heres each team's current FIFA ranking (although i dont agree with it) and a brief on their recent form

Group 1
Czech | 4 | Euro 2004 semi finals
Holland | 5 | Euro 2004 semi finals
Romania | 32 |
Finland | 44 |
Macedonia | 92 |
Armenia | 118 |
Andorra | 149 |

Group 2
Turkey | 10 | World cup 2002 semi finals
Denmark | 15 | World cup 2002 1/8 finals, Euro 2004 1/4 finals
Greece | 14 | Euro 2004 winner
Ukraine | 77 |
Georgia | 105 |
Albania | 94 |
Kazakhstan | 144 |

Group 3
Portugal | 12 | World cup 2002 first round, Euro 2004 final
Russia | 26 | World cup 2002 first round, Euro 2004 first round
Slovakia | 66 |
Latvia | 53 | Euro 2004 first round
Estonia | 82 |
Liechtenstein | 153 |
Luxembourg | 157 |

Group 4
France | 2 | World cup 2002 first round, Euro 2004 1/4 finals
Ireland | 16 | World cup 2002 1/8 finals
Switzerland | 45 | Euro 2004 first round
Israel | 60 |
Cyprus | 104 |
Faroe Islands | 136 |

Group 5
Italy | 9 | World cup 2002 1/8 finals, Euro 2004 first round
Slovenia | 42 | World cup 2002 first round
Scotland | 59 |
Norway | 38 |
Belerus | 85 |
Moldova | 111 |

Group 6
England | 8 | World cup 2002 1/4 finals, Euro 2004 1/4 finals
Poland | 27 | World cup 2002 first round
Austria | 86 |
Wales | 61 |
Northern Ireland | 112 |
Azerbaijan | 119 |

Group 7
Spain | 3 | World cup 2002 1/4 finals, Euro 2004 first round
Belgium | 24 | World cup 2002 1/8 finals
Serbia & Montenegro | 48 |
Bosnia-Herzegovina | 73 |
Lithuania | 115 |
San Marino | 168 |

Group 8
Sweden | 19 | World cup 2002 1/8 finals, Euro 2004 1/4 finals
Croatia | 23 | World cup 2002 first round, Euro 2004 first round
Bulgaria | 41 | Euro 2004 first round
Iceland | 75 |
Hungary | 78 |
Malta | 132 |

[LEPE]

Yup, you're right. This revitalized Romanian team is growing at a very quick pace and has a lot of potential. I don't think they will be the side to equal 94 Romania but I can give you my word they will give Holland and the Czechs a run for their money and possibly pull a shock upset and top the group.
.....................................................................................

Hey, I underestimated you! you did your home work!! lol

Yes, Romania will surprise many!! And no, they;re not the side from ..94,they don;t have Hagi,they have a team of them!!!
But, as you know, they will never make it as long as URS, anf KIm are delagated to our matches!!

If it wasn't for Urs , Romania would've been at the Euro,not denmark!!
So, don;t worry.UEFA will make sure that Holland and the czechs go thru!!
But you will see ,at least, how beautiful football is played,
as Romania always did, win or lose!!
They have to learn to be like ..Greece a little , leave the spectacle a little for the ..result! I loved the way Greece played to ..win!!

[SirManchester]

Thanks for the compliment I guess, but no homework needed. I'm Romanian ;)

Although I like Holland and the Czechs, I wouldn't mind if Romania bumps one off.

Romanian international soccer hardly ever benefited from their players skills and talent because their league lacks competition and not too many Romanians play in the big leagues, which would give them the experience needed to compete against big teams and do good in big tournaments. Besides all the big soccer nations, I think Romania is pretty close in talent and skill, it's too bad they can't make great use of it.

[yianni]

i think the greeks can make it to the next round with there amazing defence and when they get the ball there alsome with it

[psycho®]

i dont think so.

because we saw what happenned when greece played for winning a match. they were defeated by the weakest team of the tournement. in other matches greece played for not losing the match.

i think, hope and believe that Turkey will finish the group in top. but undoubtedly it is the hardest group.

[Black]

i dont think so.

because we saw what happenned when greece played for winning a match. they were defeated by the weakest team of the tournement. in other matches greece played for not losing the match.

i think, hope and believe that Turkey will finish the group in top. but undoubtedly it is the hardest group.


And Greece weren't playing to win against France, Czech and Portugal???

BTW, I wouldnt call Russia the weakest team of the tournament. With two teams from their group in the final plus Spain, They were in arguably the hardest group of the tournament! Considering that they didnt do too bad.

[England Fan]

England has the best chances to make world cup 2006
ENGLAND VS POLAND england win
ENGLAND VS NORTHERN IRELAND england domination
ENGLAND VS AUSTRIA england will score loads of goals
ENGLAND VS WALES could be hard or a england domination
ENGLAND VS AZERBAIJAN many england goals 6 atleast

[mritalian1210]

lol, i wonder why you would say that?

damn brit

[ZeekLTK]

Group 1 certainly is tough, but Group 5 is going to be a dogfight as well. I mean, Italy is decent, Slovenia were in the last World Cup, Belarus is always tough (they finished 3rd in their last qualifying group), and then Scotland will bother some teams as well. Then of course, I'm gonna have to pick Norway to win the group, but any of the other 4 could definitally compete for 2nd and maybe even challenge Norge for 1st!

Group 2 doesn't seem that tough. Turkey and Greece aren't THAT great, I think Denmark will win that group fairly easily.

Easiest group has to be #4. What a cakewalk for France and Ireland! :(

[Borruma]

Group 1 is by far the toughest.. Actually, it's a disgrace when compared to Group's 5 and 6, I'm sure whichever one of the top three that misses out will be pretty pissed to see teams like Norway or Poland\Austria\Wales in the play-offs. Uefa Sucks

Group 2 is quite easy really, Denmark should win it with the other three battling out for second - Both Turkey and Greece are one-shot wonders and maybe fazed by newly-found expectations, But I'll predict Turkey to make second.

Group 3 = Who comes first Portugal or Russia. I say Portugal. Easy Group - I can't see Latvia pulling a Slovenia.

Group 4 - France to win and Ireland to get revenge on Switzerland for that dismal game in lansdowne. Soft Group.

Group 5 = Italian Cakewalk but a massive scrap for second, Norway wins.

Group 6 - What more do England want: Wales? Poland? N.I? HAHAHAHA . A Joke group. :mad:

Group 7- Tough. We may not see Belgium at another World cup... and the world rejoices.

Group 8- More one-shot wonders. Sweden to win while Croatia goes to play-offs but loses. Middling group.

[Icarus_222]

Group 2 is quite easy really, Denmark should win it with the other three battling out for second - Both Turkey and Greece are one-shot wonders and maybe fazed by newly-found expectations, But I'll predict Turkey to make second.

Sure, one shot wonders.

The only difference is Greece has just carried off the European crown.

Really I don't think there ARE expectations.

Why look at all of you. After all you've just witnessed, you STILL don't take Greece seriously.

Good. That's the way we like it.

Go Ireland!!! :p :p

[Icarus_222]

Group 2 doesn't seem that tough. Turkey and Greece aren't THAT great, I think Denmark will win that group fairly easily.


Wow. Easily to boot eh?

[When Hell Unfreezes]

The current rankings would suggest group 1 is the strongest, but we all know what we think of FIFA's rankings, don't we? They are sh!te, at best!

IMHO group 2 is the toughest, I think Denmark should win the group, just, Greece should make 2nd place, just, and Turkey and Ukraine fight it out for third - but it depends on whether the Greeks can continue to win, when as Scolari said, the others have to find a way of breaking down their system! It also depends on the re-emergence of Turkey - are they on the way back? And you cannot write-off the Ukraine. they beat Greece and Spain in qualifying matches for Euro 2004!

[pedroandre]

And Greece weren't playing to win against France, Czech and Portugal???

BTW, I wouldnt call Russia the weakest team of the tournament. With two teams from their group in the final plus Spain, They were in arguably the hardest group of the tournament! Considering that they didnt do too bad.
Nope greece was playing not to lose all of those games

[Bruiser]

Group 1 is by far the toughest.. Actually, it's a disgrace when compared to Group's 5 and 6, I'm sure whichever one of the top three that misses out will be pretty pissed to see teams like Norway or Poland\Austria\Wales in the play-offs. Uefa Sucks
I don't no if you follow european football AT ALL, but Norway has begun to play very offensive and entertaining football after Hareide took over.

[gaijin]

group 2 is hard.... I agree.

Turkey and Greece are very good teams. denamrk are very tough. ukraine have super Shevchenko and Albania always are hard to break down. Kazakhstan were the hardset of the last seeds by far.

Group 1 is also difficult - Armenia can spring a suprise but Andorra are hopeless.