All matches are tommorow. 17:30 Slovenia v. Croatia (1-1) 19:30 Norway v. Spain (1-2) 19:30 Turkey v. Latvia (0-1) 20:30 Netherlands v. Scotland (0-1) 20:30 Wales v. Russia (0-0) These times are European Central as far as I know.
some predictions croatia will come back and knock out slovenia 3-0 holland will do the same to scotland spain will have some trouble in norway in a tight game but will advance wales--russia---tough to call but ill say wales with a shocker turkey will eat latvia the wales/russia and the latvia/turkey games can go to the underdogs dont forget the group draw is november 30 would be super kool if fsw aired it
The Croatia - Slovenia game is the most finely balanced. I doubt either side will fail to score, so it really comes down to whether Croatia can impose themselves early on and cancel out the away-goal advantage Slovenia currently have. Spain and Holland are interesting - neither seems capable of ever properly forming a team that is more than the sum from their extravagantly talented parts. Holland, in particular, are on the brink of a seriously humiliating breakdown. With the scandal surrounding Kluivert and van der Meyde's partying last Saturday likely to mean a short fuse amongst the Amsterdam crowd, if Scotland can start tight and frustrate the Dutch then their chances of a true shock are all the better. Nonetheless, 1-0 is not enough and, barring a very good goal on the break, you can't genuinely see them overcoming the Dutch at home, either though scoring or keepin a clean sheet. Spain have some work to do. Norway's unapologetically one-dimensional approach could well pay dividends in the freezing conditions of Oslo. Spain are one of those sides who, as was remaked on the radio the other night, manage to combine an inferiority complex AND a superiority complex in their national side. They seem never to have the belief required to make it to the top, almost like they don't deserve it, but equally they are so *#*#*#*#-sure about their inate quality and style that they never start properly playing until it is too late. This qualification campaign is a good example of that. They should be sitting at home watching someone else play Norway tonight, truth be told. That is also why they were thought to finally be the real deal for the last world Cup because the qualified with such ruthless efficiency. But alas ... once in Japorea, old habits resurfaced. I can't, on balance, see Holland failing against Scotland but I really can see Spain coming a-cropper against the Norwegians. Turkey - Latvia: I would like nothing more than to see that over-rated bunch of one-hit-wonders from Turkey get sent packing, but Latvia will have to play the game of their lives to make it stick in Istanbul. Turkey will be at their discgraceful worst in every aspect of this encounter, but they will also, I think, have too much quality to be denied by Latvia for the 120 minutes it may take to get a resolution. Sadly. Wales - Russia. Biased, but I think Wales can do it. With the Millenium stadium behind them and conditions about as perfect as they can get, no serious injuries beyond Bellamy and a simple remit of scoring just the once to tip the balance of the tie decisively in their favour, they can well do it. Russia will be devious little so-and-so's again, but as long as the likes of Hartson and Savage can keep it together and not do anything terminally stupid, they can make it through.
Russia are the one in most trouble, they don't travel well and have lost their two most vital players - the goalkeeper and Mostovoi (the top playmaker). They'll be dangerous on the counterattack, but Wales know that any kind of single goal win will see them through. I would love to see Latvia go through, they do have a very good away record - they beat Sweden 3-1 in Stockholm in their last group game and have a couple of players returning from suspension, while Turkey will be missing a few of theirs. I still think Turkey will do it, but I'm praying for Latvia.
webstream or match trackers any webstream or match trackers for these games? especially the dutch match?
Tonight is the night, and i be smellin some upsets! Holland-Scotland, for me, is the big one, and it has upset written all over it. A tenacious Scots team pumped up by the Dutch's arrogance and lack of respect, plus the Dutch teams in-fighting and an unhappy strike force, well, thats the recipe for big upset. I like both teams and would love to see them both at 2004 but a got a feeling that tonight may be Scotlands. Wales on the other hand, im not so confident about, i really want them to make it but i just think Russia will sneak it. I hope that aint the case. I agree with Matt Clark in saying i would also love to see Turkey sent crashing back down to mediocre-ville where they belong. If ever there was an award for the most overrated team Turkey would surely be the holders. However, Latvia, sadly will not triumph tonight, but every cloud has a silver lining and that is England being able to dump all over Turkey, AGAIN, in portugal next year. Spain will have problems tonight in Oslo, Norway can be a tough nut to crack and they have an away goal, but i think Spain will be joining us in Portugal next year. But, only just. I also think Croatia will beat Slovenia, another close game though.
www.uefa.com will have text commentary and stats. Up here in the football desert that is Finland, I'd love to know about a streaming webcast.
F/T Slovenia (0)0-1(0) Croatia (AGG:1-2) Tudor s/o 58" Prso 60" (0-1) Croatia become the 12th team to qualify for Portugal 2004 with a 1-0 win over Slovenia to win 2-1 on aggregate. Norway v. Spain and Turkey v. Latvia matches are just underway.
Forza Latvia ! ! ! 78' ( 2 - 2 ) Verpakovskis (Latvia) scores! 2-2. (2-3 Aggregate, PLUS Latvia with two away goals to Turkey's 0)! (from uefa.com...) Surely Lativa are bound for Portugal now. A long ball over the top catches out the Turkish defence and Verpakovskis races clear. He holds off Bülent and lifts the ball over Ömer Çatkiç to spark off ecstatic Latvian celebrations.
Absolutely incredible It's OVER!!! Latvia 2-2 Turkey (3-2 aggregate). And that's why you need to win your group, sports fans. Also, Croatia 1-0 Slovenia (1-0) FT Spain 3-0 Norway (5-1) FT Russia 1-0 Wales (1-0) HT Netherlands 3-0 Scotland (3-1) HT
Speechless LATVIA! What a day for Latvia! This is just amazing, what an upset, the people in Latvia must be in complete delirium. Unreal. They totally deserved it too, congrats to Latvia! Matches in progress: Wales 0-1 Russia (62nd minute) Holland 4-0 Scotland (62nd minute)
Turkey-Latvia Congratulations to Latvia! As for Turkey, I offer them the consoling words of the great philosopher Nelson Muntz, "Hah-hah".
Hyar hyar .... Quote Of The Day "Ruud also played out of his skin. Not only did he score three goals, he also worked like a horse" Dick Advocaat, as quoted on UEFA.