WC Playoffs (Europe) [R]

[gaijin]

So the draw for the UEFA playoffs for the World Cup will be drawn on Friday I believe, and here are the teams that will contest the final 3 spots...

Spain
Czech Republic
Turkey
Norway
Slovakia
Switzerland

I believe it is not seeded, and simply drawn out of the hat...

To be played over two legs in November. I would love Slovakia, Czech Rep and Switzerland to qualify!

[IASocFan]

...I believe it is not seeded, and simply drawn out of the hat...
...

From the massive thread in the FIFA forum, the Euro playoffs will be seeded.

Draw for 2nd Stage Play-offs - 14 October 2005 in Zurich (http://www.fifa.com/en/media/index/0,1369,110334,00.html?articleid=110334)

The six teams will be divided into two pots in accordance with the FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking for September 2005 (the three highest placed will be in pot 1 and the other three in teams in pot 2).
One team will be drawn from each pot. A second draw will be conducted to determine which team will play the first leg at home.
The play-offs will be played on Saturday, 12 November 2005 and Wednesday, 16 November 2005.

Pot 1:
4 - Czech Republic
8 - Spain
12 - Turkey

Pot 2:
37 - Norway
38 - Switzerland
45 - Slovakia

Best Second Place teams: Poland, Sweden

[gaijin]

Oh okay, thanks. Last year's was pre-determined and therefore not seeded.

[sendorange]

To be played over two legs in November. I would love Slovakia, Czech Rep and Switzerland to qualify!
Me as well.

I hope Spain and Turkey get knocked out for sure. Not to bothered about Norway, although they are dull.

[Sempre]

Me as well.

I hope Spain and Turkey get knocked out for sure. Not to bothered about Norway, although they are dull.

Any team--any team--but Norway!

And what's wrong with Spain? They play attractive soccer,
don't they?

[nicephoras]

I think the Czechs have some serious holes, but they do deserve something; I'd like to see them qualify. They've been unlucky for an entire decade. (Golden goal in 96, no WC in 98 or 02, terrible call by Collina in Euro2K, Nedved injury in Euro2004.) They have no striker, suspect CBs and Nedved's gone, but I'd like to see them make it.
Spain, from a neutral's point of view also play attractive football, even if its often of the super-Arsenal variety; passing it around to players who can't score.

[laudrup]

I love to see so much support for Spain from people that think that we play attractive soccer.

Truth is, we really don't, but don't let that get in your way.

[Colm]

with the seedings

Spain, Czech and Turkey to go through.

[Excape Goat]

A Czech Republic-Slovakia matchup will be nice.

[midknight]

I love to see so much support for Spain from people that think that we play attractive soccer.

Truth is, we really don't, but don't let that get in your way.

rflmfao

[Sempre]

I love to see so much support for Spain from people that think that we play attractive soccer.

Truth is, we really don't, but don't let that get in your way.

Compared to Norway, Spain play the soccer of Brazil '70.

[ChaChaFut]

Compared to Norway, Spain play the soccer of Brazil '70.kind of...

Seriously though, I don't want to see Norway qualify either. Nothing against them, just don't like their style or tactics.

Id' like to see Spain, Slovakia and (definitely) Czech rep. advance. IMHO they are probably more entertaining the the other 3.

[Hrvat]

Id' like to see Spain, Slovakia and (definitely) Czech rep. advance. IMHO they are probably more entertaining the the other 3.

How can Slovakia be more entertaining than Turkey? Slovakia is pretty boring to watch, and Turkey although I dislike them personally is a much better choice for some neutral football fan.

[Gnafron]

Czech Repubilc, Turkey and Switzerland to go through :)

[Canadian_Supporter]

A Czech Republic-Slovakia matchup will be nice.

If this match-up happens, it could get messy in the stands. Not the casual fan, but both countries have a strong hooligan culture.

I was at the CR-Slovakia friendly in 2002 and the Slovak fans tried to tear up the seats and eventually the riot police came in and fired off some smoke bombs.

I would imagine it would be much worse for a WCQ.

[cintosun]

I really want to see Turkey qualify. With 3 million Turks living in Germany, every game will seem like the Turks are playing at home. Not to mention, they are on top of their game right now. This team is loaded with young talent and has a lot of depth. No one wants to be drawn against Turkey and be forced to play in Istanbul.

[marakana10]

And what's wrong with Spain? They play attractive soccer,
don't they?

Sometimes...

[Excape Goat]

If this match-up happens, it could get messy in the stands. Not the casual fan, but both countries have a strong hooligan culture.

I was at the CR-Slovakia friendly in 2002 and the Slovak fans tried to tear up the seats and eventually the riot police came in and fired off some smoke bombs.

I would imagine it would be much worse for a WCQ.

OIf you believe in FIFA fixing the draw, the Czech Republic will meet Slovakia. Norway will play against Spain as they did in Euro 2000. Turkey and Switzerland might meet up. Their flags look the same, except one has the Christian cross and the other has the Muslim moon.

[nicephoras]

I love to see so much support for Spain from people that think that we play attractive soccer.

Truth is, we really don't, but don't let that get in your way.

The point is you TRY.

[Ceres]

OIf you believe in FIFA fixing the draw, the Czech Republic will meet Slovakia. Norway will play against Spain as they did in Euro 2000. Turkey and Switzerland might meet up. Their flags look the same, except one has the Christian cross and the other has the Muslim moon.

No no no... FIFA have decided to make the draw more believable, so here you go ;) :

Czech Rep. v Norway
Spain v Slovakia
Turkey v Switzerland
.