Euro 2004 Qualifying Predictions. With the qualiyers starting tomorrow, I was wondering what everyone thought of the groups The ground are as follows, who do you think will finish first and second and qualify from each one? Group 1 Cyprus France Israel Malta Group 2 Denmark Luxembourg Norway Romania Bosnia-Herzegovina Group 3 Austria Netherlands Belarus Moldova Czech Republic Group 4 Hungary Poland Sweden San Marino Latvia Group 5 Germany Iceland Scotland Faroe Islands Lithunia Group 6 Greece Northern Ireland Spain Ukraine Armenia Group 7 England Liechtenstein Turkey Slovakia Macedonia Group 8 Belgium Bulgaria Croatia Estonia Andorra Group 9 Finland Italy Wales Yugoslavia Azerbaijan Group 10 Albania Ireland Switzerland Georgia Russia Some good groups there, what does everyone think? My predictions are now below.
Group 1: France, Israel. The only tough thing about this group is to figure out who will be lucky enough to finish second, 100% record for france and Israel to get through by a point or two against the other minnows for me. Ground 2: Denmark, Norway. I know Norway weren't all to impressive in world cup qualifying, but players like Flo, Solskjaer and Riise will give them the attacking fire power to get them to second and possibley challange for first, but this group looks like Denmarks. Group 3: Holland, Czech Republic. Another one where the winner *should* be clear enough, Holland, if they play well, should have this easy. Best of the rest, I fancy the Czechs but only by a point or two. Group 4: Sweden, Poland. This one is tougher, the top two should be clear enough but it depends on which Poland shows up and how Sweden cope without Larsson or even Ljunberg for the opening matches, results between those two countries will be the only real matches of significance here. Group 5: Germany, Iceland. Germany are the type of team who will quite simply walk through this group with relative ease. As for second place, Scotland really do look to be in a rut, if they plan on coming second a really really good start is needed, good thing they're playing Faroe first, but I still see Iceland doing it. Group 6: Spain, Ukraine. A tough one to predict, as Spain are capable of going to Ukraine and self destructing but they should be able to pull through, greece will fight all the way for second spot but the match in Ukraine between themselves and Greece will be the decider, and I can only seing that going to the home country. Group 7: Turkey, England. This one is impossible to predict, you know England and Turkey will be in the top two but in what order? I'm picking Turkey because they have some world class players but also nobody, and I mean nobody, goes to Turkey and gets a win easy, and the match in Turkey between them and England decides it for me, if Svens men get a result, even a draw, they should top it, but if they lose this could be an upset. Group 8: Croatia, Belguim. Not the strongest group by any means, and really, any one from Croatia, Belguim or Estonia could win it if they hit form at the right time. Estonia are very hard to break down, Croatia are always capable of scoring and Belguim are a good all round team, may not produce the best football but will be very interesting to see who comes out of this one. Group 9: Italy, Wales. This one is the group of death, four teams all equally capable of qualifying with Italy as favourites they should secure first spot but Wales, an ever growing nation not to be under estimated with some of the best attacking players in the epl, Yugo, a nation in decline but still capable of putting a preformance in when needed and Finland, with some good flair players and a very good squad. I'm going with Wales as they have the youngest squad and will be the strongest by the end of the campaign which could bode well for them. Group 10: Ireland, Russia. Hard for me to predict this but I honestly think you have to say this is Irelands group, Russia are in decline and Ireland have lost one competitive game in three years, and that was the second leg of a match tie they won, and have a nine year competitive unbeaten home run. Russia, nobody will know what to expect from them and their reformed squad but that could work as much against them as for them, the match tomorrow in Moscow sets the tone, I think the Irish will win it and go unbeaten to secure the group, with Russia coming second after a suprise good preformance from the Swiss who narrowly miss out. What does everyone else think? I'm having a look for tomorrows fixtures and will put them up if I find them.
My Take: Group 1: France, Slovenia. France will cruise. Slovenia has qualified for Euro2K and K/J02 and is strong enough to challenge again. Israel, while improving will be hurt by having no home games. Group 2: Denmark, Romania. Romania just missed KJ02. They'll be ready this time. Norway died in qualifying last two years will come closer this time. Group 3: Netherlands, Czech Republic. Both the Netherlands and Czech Republic want to make up for their weak JK02 qualification runs. Czechs showed Yugoslavia today that they are back. Austria will finish a ways back. Schade. Group 4: Sweden, Poland. Should be staight forward - but it seldom works out that way. Group 5: Germany, Scotland. Iceland isn't there yet. Germany is! Group 6: Spain, Ukraine. Spain should roll again. Ukraine should lose out in the playoffs for the third straight time. Group 7: England, Turkey. Except for Brasil, Turkey had a fairly easy run in KJ02 - playing NO Euro teams. They will make it hard for England, though - particularly at home. Group 8: Croatia, Belguim. Only issue is who finishes on top. Group 9: Italy, Yugoslavia Italy without too much trouble - though they won't win in Finland or Yugoslavia. Finland will be close, and Wales won't. Group 10: Russia, Ireland. "Hard ... to predict this but I honestly think you have to say this is Ireland's group..." I almost agree.
Group 1 1. France 2. Slovenia I was tempted to put Israel, but Slovenia is looking at least decent right now. Group 2 1. Denmark 2. Romania Denmark should make at least second with Romania beating out Norway. Remember, Romania nearly made it to the 2002 WC, Norway was horrible in an average group. Group 3 1. Holland 2. Czech Rep. These two teams SHOULD finish in the top two spots but you never know, Austria and Belarus can be tough to defeat. Group 4 1. Sweden 2. Poland These two teams are clearly the best in the group with maybe Hungary coming somewhat close behind. Group 5 1. Germany 2. Scotland Ok, Germany is a lock for first. Will be interesting to see who finishes second. Scotland got a good draw I think. Group 6 1. Spain 2. Ukraine Tough one here. Ukraine needs Shevchenko to play, and when he plays, to play well. I hear he's not playing in the opener. Group 7 1. England 2. Turkey I was thinking about putting Turkey for first, but England always finds a way in qualifying and should do that again here. Group 8 1. Belgium 2. Croatia Belgium played very well at the 2002 WC while Croatia did not. I say Belgium takes the group. I would also not be surprised if Bulgaria causes problems. They could sneak into second place. Group 9 1. Italy 2. Yugoslavia Italy will almost definitely take first with Yugoslavia in a tight fight for second with Wales or Finland. Group 10 1. Rep. of Ireland 2. Russia Ireland has been playing consistently well and almost never get blown out. Russia disappointed me at the 2002 WC, but still should be good enough to sneak into second.
I don't know about the rest of the groups but in group7 TURKIYE will qualify as number one. Everyone is welcome to the great ISTANBUL to the final game to see how we qualify. Good luck to England for their runners up games. I would really want to see them in that cup.
I suppose you'll have to break the habit of a lifetime and actually score a goal against us if you want to finish top of the group .
They can always try to beat up the England players like they did to Ireland if they (Turkey) perform badly in Istanbul. They'll get through no problem then. I think Wales have a chance. It depends on how they do in the Italy and Yugoslavia matches.
Its true that we haven't scored a goal yet but thats past right? I am really confident about our team and ofcourse we will score. And also i want to come to the game in England. Does anyone know where is it going to be played and how many seats will be reserved for Turkey fans