WC 2010- UEFA Qualification's groups thread

[Pit-182]

Ok, hoping that there isn't already another thread, I opened this one to discuss/make predictions about what teams will qualify/go to playoffs, to put here all the news/games results and to hear your thoughts about the groups, which are:

GROUP 1

Portugal (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portugal_national_football_team)
Sweden (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sweden_national_football_team)
Denmark (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Denmark_national_football_team)
Hungary (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hungary_national_football_team)
Albania (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Albania_national_football_team)
Malta (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malta_national_football_team)

GROUP 2
Switzerland (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Switzerland_national_football_team)
Greece (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greece_national_football_team)
Israel (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Israel_national_football_team)Switzerland (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Switzerland_national_football_team)
Moldova (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moldova_national_football_team)
Latvia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Latvia_national_football_team)
Luxembourg (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Luxembourg_national_football_team)

GROUP 3

Czech Republic (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Czech_Republic_national_football_team)
Poland (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poland_national_football_team)
Northern Ireland (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northern_Ireland_national_football_team)
Slovakia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slovakia_national_football_team)
Slovenia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slovenia_national_football_team)
San Marino (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/San_Marino_national_football_team)

GROUP 4

Germany (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Germany_national_football_team)
Russia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russia_national_football_team)
Finland (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Finland_national_football_team)
Wales (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wales_national_football_team)
Azerbaijan (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Azerbaijan_national_football_team)
Liechtenstein (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liechtenstein_national_football_team)

GROUP 5

Spain (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spain_national_football_team)
Turkey (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turkey_national_football_team)
Belgium (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Belgium_national_football_team)
Bosnia and Herzegovina (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bosnia_and_Herzegovina_national_football_team)
Armenia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Armenia_national_football_team)
Estonia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Estonia_national_football_team)

GROUP 6

Croatia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Croatia_national_football_team)
England (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/England_national_football_team)
Ukraine (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ukraine_national_football_team)
Belarus (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Belarus_national_football_team)
Kazakhstan (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kazakhstan_national_football_team)
Andorra (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andorra_national_football_team)

GROUP 7

France (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/France_national_football_team)
Romania (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Romania_national_football_team)
Serbia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Serbia_national_football_team)
Lithuania (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lithuania_national_football_team)
Austria (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Austria_national_football_team)
Faroe Islands (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Faroe_Islands_national_football_team)

GROUP 8

Italy (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Italy_national_football_team)
Bulgaria (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bulgaria_national_football_team)
Republic of Ireland (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Republic_of_Ireland_national_football_team)
Cyprus (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cyprus_national_football_team)
Georgia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Georgia_national_football_team)
Montenegro (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Montenegro_national_football_team)

GROUP 9

Netherlands (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Netherlands_national_football_team)
Scotland (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scotland_national_football_team)
Norway (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Norway_national_football_team)
FYR Macedonia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Republic_of_Macedonia_national_football_team)
Iceland (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iceland_national_football_team)

The games will start in August, and I seriously can't wait as an hardcore fan of international soccer :cool:



Now open the dances, please.

[One Part]

GROUP 2

Greece (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greece_national_football_team)
Israel (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Israel_national_football_team)
Moldova (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moldova_national_football_team)
Latvia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Latvia_national_football_team)
Luxembourg (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Luxembourg_national_football_team)

(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/San_Marino_national_football_team)

(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liechtenstein_national_football_team)

(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Estonia_national_football_team)

GROUP 6

Croatia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Croatia_national_football_team)
England (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/England_national_football_team)
Belarus (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Belarus_national_football_team)
Kazakhstan (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kazakhstan_national_football_team)
Andorra (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andorra_national_football_team)

(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Faroe_Islands_national_football_team)



Group 2-Switzerland
Group 6-Ukraine

[One Part]

For the comparing of 2nd place teams i was wondering opinions if you think it is an advantage or disadvantage to those teams playing in the small group 9? As a Scot i would be gutted if we were to finish second then be the one 2nd place team not to be part of the playoffs.

Of coarse it wont be relavent for Scotland in the end as we will have the group rapped up as early as possible! ;)

Football in gereral i thinks alright but when it comes to the World cup i feel very passionate about it!!

Group 1 i think will be very close for 1st place but even more for the sencond place.

Group 2 Close between the top 3 but do have a feeling Israel will make it to 2010 or at least make it to the play offs.

Group 3 i wouldnt count any one out apart from San Marino (but never say never;)). 2nd place may be challenged by quite a few teams but i think Northern Ireland may cause some supprises if they get of to a good start and get a bit of luck..then possibly make second.

Group 4 Germany to secure the top spot early and russia to take second finland maybe to come close to Russia but i think the top 2 are to be Germany then Russia.

Group 5 Spain and Turkey to come in top 2 and only goal difference or head to head (what ever way separates tied teams) to separate each other. Very close for top spot between the 2.

Group 6 In this group i think the first 3 or 4 games will be importart and a bad start will cost the team. Croatia to win and England and Ukraine for 2nd place.

Group 7 imo 5 of the 6 have at least a shot of getting 2nd and 3 maybe 4 a shot at first place. The closest group i think maybe 4 teams still with all to play for going into last 1 or 2 games.

Group 8 Italy should top the table if they...just do there stuff. Bulgaria and Ireland for second the rest may take points of the bigger teams but not really threat the top posistions.

Group 9 Of coarse Scotland to win followed by Netherlands. Scotlands dodgey opening away fixtures will really tell us if they can win the group. If they win the first 3 games then i think Scotland can win the group. If scotland drop any points any in the first 3 then netherlands will win. 2nd place wont be settled until the last minute. The group could possibly end up close as any one could really beat any one and the 3 bottom ranked may be underestimated by top 2 and thus causing supprises and Norway to probably get second if scotlands mindset dosnt consider them good competition subconsiously so wont have the extra edge as if they were playing germany or france etc.

the opening game...one game in august:

Kazakhstan Vs Andorra

[Pit-182]

Lol I did several typing errors but I think I can't edit my post... is there any mod who can help me out there?

[tomwilhelm]

Lol I did several typing errors but I think I can't edit my post... is there any mod who can help me out there?

Edited and moved to UEFA...

[Pit-182]

Edited and moved to UEFA...
Thank you. And sorry for the wrong forum... but I tought that we were anyway talking about FIFA world cup.

[tomwilhelm]

Thank you. And sorry for the wrong forum... but I tought that we were anyway talking about FIFA world cup.

No worries. Discussion of qualifiers (except for the intercontinental playoffs) goes in the specific confederation forum, in this case UEFA.

Carry on...

[ITALIA1982]

Should we forecast the winners and runners up of each group?

[Pit-182]

Should we forecast the winners and runners up of each group?
Yeah that would make this thread good imo.

Here are my predictions... don't trust them :lol:

Group 1 will be a battle between Sw, Denmark & Portugal. I think Portugal will come first and Denmark second. I didn't really appreciate the Sweden soccer in the last years and I think they will be a great delusion on these matches.

Group 2 is nice and will probably give some chances to qualify at an outsider. My prediction: 1st Switzerland, 2nd Latvia (who will surprise... and remember that they were able to qualify for euro 2004 so they aren't complete idiots)

Group 3 I'd like to see Northern Ireland arrive 2nd but Imo this won't happen. 1st Cr 2nd Polska... easy prediction

Group 4 Germany 1st, Russia 2nd... but Finland will go close

Group 5 Spain will easily go 1st... Belgium will arrive 2nd and will go to the Wc with the playoffs... the turks story is over

Group 6 England will show their new incredible team coached by Capello and I'm sure they will arrive 1st. Ukraine second, Croatia... mmh i think this could really be the time they won't qualify

Group 7 France will suffer a lot but will arrive 1st, Romania will arrive 2nd... Serbia sucks all the way and with these games thye demonstrate that.

Group 8 I don't wanna talk about this one (but I don't get why we shouldn't arrive 1st)

Group 9 The dutch showed in the first phases of the recent euros that now they can be ultra dangerous. I'm sure they will win the group. Scotland will fight against Norway for the second place, and will win.

So Imho it will be like this:
1st place teams (obviously qualified):
Portugal, Switzerland, Czech Republic, Germany, Spain, England, France, Italy, Netherlands
Team qualified after playoffs (it's hard to predict but I'll try):
Latvia, Polska, Belgium, Romania.

[shocker]

Group 1
Sweden
Denmark

Gr 2
Greece
israel

Gr 3
Czech
poland

Gr 4

Germany
Russia

Gr 5
Spain
Turkey

Gr 6
Croatia
England

Gr 7
France
Serbia

GR 8
Italy
Ireand

gr 9
Netherland
Scotland

[squidward123]

So Imho it will be like this:
1st place teams (obviously qualified):
Portugal, Switzerland, Czech Republic, Germany, Spain, England, France, Italy, Netherlands
Team qualified after playoffs (it's hard to predict but I'll try):
Latvia, Polska, Belgium, Romania.

Croatia to not qualify at all??

For me it's tough to call, but I think they will pip England to first.

[Pit-182]

Update (even tough nobody cares about Andorra :D)

The first game has been played. Kazakistan destroyed Andorra (3-0)

Games of the other groups will be on the 6 of september.

Austria- France... this is gonna be an interesting game.

[BocaFan]

How is the best second place teams determined, since the groups aren't all the same size? Is it points-per-game average or do they ignore the results against the last-place team in the larger groups?

[Pit-182]

How is the best second place teams determined, since the groups aren't all the same size? Is it points-per-game average or do they ignore the results against the last-place team in the larger groups?
The European qualification games will start in August 2008 after EURO 2008 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UEFA_Euro_2008).[4] (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2010_FIFA_World_Cup_qualification#cite_note-regulations-3) Eight groups of six teams and one group of five will contest the European qualifying competition. As a result the nine group-winners will qualify directly, while the best eight of the nine second-placed teams will contest home and away play-off matches for the remaining four places
Wikipedia.com

[OrangeCajun]

The European qualification games will start in August 2008 after EURO 2008 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UEFA_Euro_2008).[4] (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2010_FIFA_World_Cup_qualification#cite_note-regulations-3) Eight groups of six teams and one group of five will contest the European qualifying competition. As a result the nine group-winners will qualify directly, while the best eight of the nine second-placed teams will contest home and away play-off matches for the remaining four places
Wikipedia.com

But what quantifies as "eight best"? Is it straight points, or a points per game average? If its straight points than I think Scotland or Norway would be at an unfair disadvantage.

[tomwilhelm]

But what quantifies as "eight best"? Is it straight points, or a points per game average? If its straight points than I think Scotland or Norway would be at an unfair disadvantage.

I don't know if it applies this time, but UEFA usually drops the points earned against last place teams when there are uneven groups.

[goliath74]

GROUP 1
1. Portugal
2. Denmark
Portugal should win outright. Sweden and Denmark will compete in the kind of Scandinavian derby. The rest of the teams are clearly second class. It is very sad that hungary has fallen so far down the list...

GROUP 2
1. Switzerland
2. Israel

This group can produce surprises. it is a very even group without a dominant side. Switzerland have been showing the most competent football of anyone in this group and israel are always JUST missing the cut-off. greece will prove a major disappointment like they were in WC2006 Qualification.
Moldova and latvia are very capable of an upset against the top three but it would be very hard for them to present any consistent threat.

GROUP 3
1. Czech Republic
2. Poland

This group also has no huge favorite, although Czechs might be the closest thing to it. There is no one in this group who can field as much talent as they have. But Czechs can always be expected to choke.
Poland is a solid but not spectacular side, which always impresses during the qualification and trips all over itself in the finals.

Northern Ireland, Slovakia and Slovenia can all provide a challenge to the top two. but they are far behind in terms of talent. Slovakia - Czech Republic matches should be very interesting.

GROUP 4
1. Germany
2. Russia

The top two are far better than the rest in this group. Russia will try to knock germany off the first place but germany is germany and that says it all...

Finland should not be able to compete with Russia and Germany but will be a clear cut third place side.

GROUP 5
1. Spain
2. Turkey

We have a Euro champ and a Euro semifinalist in this group. I can not see how anyone else can compete with these.

Bosnia will finish third ahead of belgium. Belgium had fallen quite far...

GROUP 6
1. Croatia
2. England

This is a very interesting group. Croatia seems to be the best side. but, in conjunction with faltering England, exciting belarus and very credible Ukraine, this group may turn out into a free-for-all. Croatia have the most quality stacked there. But they have to go for points in Belarus and Ukraine, which is not an easy assignment. England certainly did not leave a pleasant taste in everyone's mouth with the way they finished the EC2008 qualification. Can they do it again? or will they return angry, hungry, and READY?

GROUP 7
1. Romania
2. France

A very exciting group. Romania and France are clearly the class of the continent. They disappointed at Euro2008 but they were both in the tough group. Serbia has fallen on the hard times over the last several years. They still impress in qualifying but are useless in the finals. They fail to qualify this time. Austria have long been also-runs.

GROUP 8
1. Italy
2. Ireland

In this group, italy should prevail with ease. Bulgraia and Ireland will be locked in mortal combat. They will probably be separated by the points lost to Cyprus. Cyprus are quietly and unexpectedly improving themselves. They have no chance but they are always dangerous home, just like Georgia. Ultimately, failing to win at Georgia were contributing reasons for Ukraine's and Scotland's failures to qualify for Euro2008. However, given the security situation in Georgia, it is unclear if they will be able to take advantage of the home support.

GROUP 9
1. Netherlands
2. Scotland

netherlands have too much youth and talent to be bothered by anyone. Scotland seem to have the inside track for the second place. ten years ago, I would have given it to norway. Norway in 2008 are not as good a side. Macedonia is a dangerous opponent who will take points from everyone else. but they do not have consistency nor the talent to pull off a successful campaign.