Group 1 No games Group 2 Denmark at Luxembourg Romania at Norway Group 3 Moldova at Czech Republic Belarus at Austria Group 4 Poland at Sweden Hungary at Latvia Group 5 Germany at Faroe Islands Iceland at Lithuania Group 6 Spain at Northern Ireland Ukraine at Greece Group 7 Slovakia at England Macedonia at Turkey Group 8 Croatia at Estonia Andorra at Belgium Group 9 no games Group 10 Georgia at Ireland Albania at Switzerland A few interesting games on the match day (Romania at Norway, Ukraine at Greece, Poland at Sweden, and of course Germany at Faroe Islands). I am looking forward to the Czech-Moldova game. The Czechs have all of their players and I fully expect them to get three points....
Now that the June 7 games have been played, here's some "analysis" of what could happen and where things stand. Group 1 No games Malta is already eliminated. Group 2 Denmark at Luxembourg Romania at Norway Luxembourg is eliminated unless they win. Group 3 Moldova at Czech Republic Belarus at Austria A Czech Republic win will eliminate Belarus. That combined with a Belarus win or draw will also eliminate Austria -- leaving just Netherlands and Czech Republic to decide the automatic qualifier. Group 4 Poland at Sweden Hungary at Latvia Nothing will be decided on Wednesday, but a Latvia win all but eliminates Hungary and makes it tough on Poland should they lose. San Marino is already eliminated. Group 5 Germany at Faroe Islands Iceland at Lithuania A Faroe Islands loss combined with a Lithuania win eliminates Faroe Islands. Otherwise, they stave off elimination (barely). Group 6 Spain at Northern Ireland Ukraine at Greece A Spain win or draw eliminates Northern Ireland. A Spain win also means Armenia cannot finish at the top of the group. Group 7 Slovakia at England Macedonia at Turkey Leichtenstein is already eliminated. Wins by both Turkey and England eliminate the other 2. Group 8 Croatia at Estonia Andorra at Belgium A win by Estonia eliminates Andorra regardless of their result. Group 9 no games Azerbaijan cannot qualify directly. Group 10 Georgia at Ireland Albania at Switzerland Nothing will be decided on Wednesday although a Swiss win combined with an Ireland loss would put them within a whisker of advancing to the playoff at a minimum.
The Czech Republic should have no problems with Moldova. With that being said, I didn't expect Ukraine to struggle at home against Armenia.
Lot of great matches upcoming for sure. Here is my quick analysis (hopefully, sometimes I get carried away lol) of the groups going into this matchday: Group 1 No Matches Group 2 Romania at Norway is going to be huge for both teams. Romania has to assume that Denmark will pick up all 3 points against Luxembourg (although they are on the road) so at least a draw is necessary here for them. Norway however will need all 3 points at home if they intend to stay in the race for first with Denmark. Group 3 This group is between Holland and the Czech Rep. plain and simple. Austria's loss to Moldova really put them out of the race. The Czech Rep. host Moldova this week and should get the 3 points but then again u never know. Group 4 The Poland-Sweden match is really huge as they are both trying to get back in it. Latvia is in a must win situation at home since they just were defeated by Hungary 3:1 on the road. A win here would totally increase their chances and destroy Hungary's at the same time. Group 5 Although the Germany-Faroe Islands match looks like a no-brainer, to me I don't think so. Think about it, Germany has been playing down to the level of every opponent they have faced thus far in this campaign, and being on the road I see it happening again. Don't be surprised if this is a close one. In the Iceland-Lithuania match, both teams need to win to stay alive for a spot since a loss pretty much would do them in. Group 6 Since Greece defeated Spain in Spain last matchday, all is to play for this matchday. Spain has a tough away tie in Northern Ireland as the Irish almost always play a close match in Belfast and I expect a very low scoring game. Ukraine had a scare against Armenia and I expect another one here at least. Greece have momentum from their last victory and will be very tough to beat at home. I say this one ends in a draw. Group 7 Slovakia lost their chance to qualify when they lost to Turkey last matchday. Now it's between England and Turkey for first in the group. England have defeated Turkey but have also drawn with Macedonia at home. This matchday both are at home and both have to win to keep up with one another. It seems like they will both win with ease, but you just never know anymore. Group 8 Estonia, although having picked up both their wins against Andorra, will be looking to get something here against Croatia. They are at home and a surprise victory here would be very huge for them. Remember, they already drew against both Croatia and Bulgaria and their defense so far has been playing great. In the other match, Belgium absolutely must pick up the expected 3 points or they will probably not make even second place in this group. Group 9 If I'm not mistaken kev, there will be 2 matches in this group on wednesday. Azerbaijan will host Serbia and Montenegro, and the way that they have been playing against the "weak" nations in this group, this one is definitely no gimmie. Also, Italy will have to travel to Finland, the same place where Serbia and Mont. got thomped 3:0, so the Italians better watch out. Italy desperately needs the 3 points as Wales wit atop the group 5 points ahead. Group 10 There are two expected results here: An Irish and a Swiss win, however, this group has produced some of the craziest results that we have seen so far in EURO 2004 qualifying. Both will desperately need wins as Russia will sit this matchday out and will be hoping for an upset or two.
I'll play the predictor game...... Group 1 No games Group 2 Denmark 2 at Luxembourg 0 (Denmark without a problem) Romania 1 at Norway 2 (Norway play just well enough and thats it) Group 3 Moldova 1 at Czech Republic 3 (Underrated Czechs) Belarus 1 at Austria 2 (Austria, but barely) Group 4 Poland 1 at Sweden 2 (Sweden playing well) Hungary 3 at San Marino 0 (It's San Marino folks) Group 5 Germany 1 at Faroe Islands 1 (only because they almost lost the last game against Faroe Islands in Germany...and didn't deserve to win mind you) Iceland 2 at Lithuania 2 (Iceland might pull it out though) Group 6 Spain 1 at Northern Ireland 1 (Wishful thinking but it can happen) Ukraine 1 at Greece 2 (Greeks with impressive week bolt to the top of the group) Group 7 Slovakia 0 at England 1 (England always struggle against the weaker countries) Macedonia 1 at Turkey 3 (Yes, Turkey is good) Group 8 Croatia 0 at Estonia 1 (Estonia win, they drew in Croatia) Andorra 0 at Belgium 5 (This one is an easy one) Group 9 Serbia and Montenegro 1 at Azerbaijan 2 (It was a draw last time in Serbia) Italy 2 at Finland 2 (Finland complete an impressive week) Group 10 Georgia 0 at Ireland 2 (Ireland are better than lucky) Albania 1 at Switzerland 1 (Albania continue to get good results) Thats the way i see it.
My Predictions: GROUP 1 No Games GROUP 2 Luxembourg 0-3 Denmark Norway 1-0 Romania GROUP 3 Czech Rep. 4-0 Moldova Austria 3-1 Belarus GROUP 4 Sweden 3-1 Poland San Marino 0-3 Hungary GROUP 5 Faroe Islands 1-2 Germany Lithuania 1-1 Iceland GROUP 6 Northern Ireland 0-3 Spain Greece 2-2 Ukraine GROUP 7 England 2-0 Slovakia Turkey 3-1 FYR Macedonia GROUP 8 Estonia 1-1 Croatia Belgium 3-0 Andorra GROUP 9 Azerbaijan 0-2 Serbia & Montenegro Finland 1-2 Italy GROUP 10 Ireland 3-1 Georgia Switzerland 2-1 Albania
Group 2 Lux Den 0-2 Nor Rom 1-2 Group 3 Cze Mol 1-1 San Bel 0-1 Group4 Swe Pol 1-0 San Hun 0-1 Group 5 Far Ger 0-4 Lith Ice 0-0 Group 6 NorI Spa 0-2 Gre Ukr 3-1 Group 7 Eng Slo 0-0 Turky Fyr0-1 Group 8 Est Cro 1-0 Bel And 5-0 Group 9 Aze Yug 0-1 Fin Ita 1-0 Group 10 Irl Geo 1-1 or 1-2 Swi Alb 1-3 I'd be happy if they end like this. *************** the REFEREES,they always help the big teams.
My predictions: Group 1 No games Group 2 Lux-Den 0:2 Nor-Rom 1:1 Group 3 Cze-Mol 4:0 Aus-Bel 2:1 Group 4 Swe-Pol 2:2 San-Hun 0:3 Group 5 Far-Ger 0:2 Lit-Ice 3:1 Group 6 NI-Spa 0:1 Gre-Ukr 1:1 Group 7 Eng-Slo 2:0 Tur-Mac 3:1 Group 8 Est-Cro 0:1 Bel-And 3:0 Group 9 Aze-S&M 1:1 Fin-Ita 2:2 Group 10 RIr-Geo 3:1 Swi-Alb 2:1
Group 2 Denmark at Luxembourg---- 5-0 denmark Romania at Norway-----1-1 tie Group 3 Moldova at Czech Republic ---- 0-3 czech Belarus at Austria ---- 0-0 tie Group 4 Poland at Sweden-----sweden Hungary at san marino----hungary 3-0 Group 5 Germany at Faroe Islands-------germany Iceland at Lithuania------tie Group 6 Spain at Northern Ireland-----spain Ukraine at Greece----------tie Group 7 Slovakia at England-------england Macedonia at Turkey------turkey Group 8 Croatia at Estonia------croatia Andorra at Belgium-----belgium Group 10 Georgia at Ireland-----ireland Albania at Switzerland----tie lets go croatia srna and olic wha wha
Group 2 Lux-Den 0-3 Denmark Nor-Rom 2-1 Norway Group 3 Cze-Mol 4-0 Czech Bel-Aus 2-1 Austria Group 4 Swe-Pol 3-1 Sweden Hun-San 3-0 Hungary Group 5 Far-Ger 0-2 Germany Lit-Ice 1-1 Group 6 NI-Spa 0-3 Spain Gre-Ukr 3-2 Greece Group 7 Eng-Slov 2-2 Tur-Mac 3-0 Turkey Group 8 Est-Cro 1-1 Bel-And 5-0 Belgium Group 9 Aze-SM 1-2 SM Fin-Ita 1-2 Italy Group 10 Ire-Geo 3-1 Ireland Swi-Alb 2-1 Switzerland
My predictions... not that they mean any thing... Group 1 No games Group 2 Denmark at Luxembourg 2-0 Romania at Norway 0-1 Group 3 Moldova at Czech Republic 1-4 Belarus at Austria 1-2 Group 4 Poland at Sweden 1-0 Hungary at Latvia 2-2 Group 5 Germany at Faroe Islands 1-1 Iceland at Lithuania 1-0 Group 6 Spain at Northern Ireland 5-0 Ukraine at Greece 1-1 Group 7 Slovakia at England 0-3 Macedonia at Turkey 1-3 Group 8 Croatia at Estonia 1-0 Andorra at Belgium 0-6 Group 9 Italy at Finland 1-1 Serbia/Montenegro at Azerbaijan 3-1 Group 10 Georgia at Ireland 1-1 Albania at Switzerland 0-0
Azerbaijani with some last minute heroics: 90' Azerbaijan [2 - 1] Serbia & Montenegro 27' [0 - 1] Boskovic 88' [1 - 1] Agayev (pen.) 90' [2 - 1] Farrukh Ismaylov
FULL Time: Azerbaijan [2 - 1] Serbia & Montenegro 27' [0 - 1] Boskovic 88' [1 - 1] Agayev (pen.) 90' [2 - 1] Farrukh Ismaylov Azerbaijan is still in last, but S&M now unlikely to qualify as they are still in 4th place behind Finland, Italy and Wales.
Match result: Azerbaijan 2-1 Serbia and Mont. :-O Match in progress: Estonia 0-0 Croatia (HT) Well, there goes any chance Serbia and Mont. had at qualifying...
That is an amazing result. I could've sworn the Yugos would come back strong after the weekend's embarrassment, but their squad obviously has issues.
Matches in progress: Estonia 0-0 Croatia (71st min) Lithuania 0-0 Iceland (29th min) Current Group 9 Standings Wales (4-0-0) 12pts (+9) Italy (2-1-1) 7pts (+3) Finland (2-3-0) 6pts (0) Serbia and Mont. (1-2-2) 5pts (-2) Azerbaijan (1-4-1) 4pts (-10)
Match result: Estonia 0-1 Croatia (got it right lol) Matches in progress: Lithuania 0-0 Iceland (HT) Norway 0-0 Romania (18th min) Luxembourg 0-0 Denmark (3rd min) San Marino 0-0 Hungary (3rd min) Sweden 0-0 Poland (3rd min) Greece 0-0 Ukraine (3rd min) Turkey 0-0 Macedonia (3rd min) Finland 0-0 Italy (3rd min)
Current Group 8 Standings Bulgaria (3-0-2) 11pts (+5) Croatia (3-1-1) 10pts (+4) Estonia (2-2-2) 8pts (+3) Belgium (2-2-1) 7pts (-4) Andorra (0-5-0) 0pts (-8)
Eurosport is showing a raw feed (no commentary) of the Belgium/Andorra Euro Qualifier instead of the Toulon U21 Argentina/Japan game. Belgium 1 - Andorra 0 (#9 Goor on a header from a brilliant ball from the RB) Belgium had been the much better side in the first half attacking at every opportunity. Andorra does have some impressive individual skill, but Belgium is the much better team thus far.
Matches in progress: Lithuania 0-2 Iceland (87th min) Norway 0-0 Romania (HT) Luxembourg 0-1 Denmark (45th min) Czech Rep. 0-0 Moldova (30th min) Austria 0-0 Belarus (15th min) Sweden 2-0 Poland (45th min) San Marino 0-2 Hungary (45th min) Greece 0-0 Ukraine (45th min) Turkey 1-2 Macedonia (45th min) Belgium 1-0 Andorra (30th min) Finland 0-1 Italy (45th min) Switzerland 1-1 Albania (30th min) Rep. of Ireland 0-0 Georgia (15th min)