[olafgb]

The qualifiers for the European Championships 2004 in Portugal are starting this Saturday. The outlook:

GROUP 1:

Slovenia vs Malta
Cyprus vs France
no game: Israel

France of course is the big favourite in this group and should win their game in Cyprus easily. Slovenia is also heavily favoured to win vs Malta and they are under pressure to get three points for probably competing with Israel for the playoff spot in this group.

GROUP 2:

Norway vs Denmark
Bosnia vs Romania
no game: Luxembourg

For me one of the toughest groups, starting with an interesting Scandinavian duel. Norway got to show that they aren't as bad as in the last WC qualifiers, but Denmark is the favourite. Personally I'm expecting a close race, also Bosnia and Romania aren't without chance. Game 1 will already be very important for all teams.

GROUP 3:

Austria vs Moldovia
Netherlands vs Belarussia
no game: Czech Rep

Austria needs to win if they want to keep a small chance to make the playoff spot. Netherlands got to rehabilitate for the WC disappointment and should win easily. Sure is that one very strong team will have to go to the playoffs.

GROUP 4:

San Marino vs Poland
Latvia vs Sweden
no game: Hungary

The away teams are the huge favourites and also should be the ones competing for the direct qualifying spot.

GROUP 5:

Faroe Islands vs Scotland
Lithuania vs Germany
no game: Iceland

Again the away teams should win their games. Three points are essential for Scotland (and coach Berti), otherwise they might face a bad surprise and finish 3rd behind Iceland.

GROUP 6:

Greece vs Spain
Armenia vs Ukraine
no game: Northern Ireland

Interesting southern game in Greece. Spain is the big favourite in this group, but Greece improved in the last games and has some outsider chance. At least they should be able to compete for the 2nd spot with Ukraine.

GROUP 7:

Turkey vs Slovakia
Liechtenstein vs Macedonia (only Sunday game, all others Saturday)
no game: England

England leans back and hopes on Slovakia surprising Turkey. The other game should be important for not finishing last in this group.

GROUP 8:

Belgium vs Bulgaria
Croatia vs Estonia
no game: Andorra

Another interesting group with three possible group winners. Belgium vs Bulgaria is already an important game with good quality, while Croatia should be first after this game.

GROUP 9:

Aserbaidjan (sp?) vs Italy
Finland vs Wales
no game: Yugoslavia

Italy is the big favourite of the group and especially in this game. Finland vs Wales is very interesting as one of them might surprise and compete with Yugoslavia for the second spot.

GROUP 10:

Russia vs Ireland
Switzerland vs Georgia
no game: Albania

The two favourites are already competing in the first game, while Switzerland is hoping to be lucky third to surprise one of them to make the playoffs.

[BrianCappellieri]

BBC: A full preview of Saturday's European Championship qualifiers

[olafgb]

Just a fun halftime score:

Faroe Islands vs Scotland 2-0
Goals by Petersen (7'/13'). But still a long way to go for them, Scotland slowly woke up in the last five minutes.

[Spartak]

Regardless of what happens in the second half of Scotland-Faroes I think Berti Vogts will be sacked after the match.

[Belgian guy]

Originally posted by olafgb
Just a fun halftime score:

Faroe Islands vs Scotland 2-0
Goals by Petersen (7'/13'). But still a long way to go for them, Scotland slowly woke up in the last five minutes.

Your kidding right? I mean, you have to be kidding right?????????

[Belgian guy]

Nope, your right, but they just pulled one back through Lambert i think, Faroer-Scotland 2-1

Just

[Belgian guy]

2-2, Ferguson equalized...

[Belgian guy]

Russia-Rep. of Ireland 2-0

After just 35 minutes...

[Belgian guy]

England-Portugal 1-0

[olafgb]

England vs Portugal is just a friendly.

FINAL SCORES:

Gr.5:
Faroe Islands vs Scotland 2-2
1:0 Petersen (7), 2:0 Petersen (13), 2:1 Lambert (62), 2:2 Ferguson (83).
Scotland has to be very lucky with this score as Faroe Islands had plenty of chances (even after the equaliser) to decide this game.

Gr.2:
Norway vs Denmark 2-2
0:1 Tomasson (23), 1:1 Riise (54), 1:2 Tomasson (72), 2:2 Carew (93)