2004 Qualification (r) Do you think Switzerland will top Group 10 for the Euro 2004 qualifiers?? I've got a feeling that the group will not be decided until the Swiss V's Ireland game on the final day...Ireland where terrible against you in Dublin, but it will be a different story for the last game, especially if we can beat Russia in Dublin!!
It's been a surprisingly even group. The current standings half way through: Teams..... Pld W D. L.. GS GA Pts Switzerland 4..2..2 0... 7 3... 8 Russia....... 4..2..0 2... 9 7... 6 Albania...... 4..1..2 1... 5 6... 5 Ireland...... 4..1..1 2... 5 7... 4 Georgia..... 4..1..1 2... 3 6... 4 The key games will be the Swiss-Russian games at home on 7 June and away on 10 Sept. The 11 Oct match against Ireland will probably decide one or both of the two spots.
It is such a pity we lost the 1st game 4-2 to Russia, if we had have drawn that game I think we would have been favorites to win the group. It is difficult to decide if we would prfer Switzerland to beat Russia in both games & we could finish 2nd or you to draw both games. I must be the closest group out of all the qualifiers, especailly with Albania & Georgia beating Russia.
If we win our next 2 games, we will be in a very good position to top the group. We play Russia in Basel on June 7th, and Albania in Geneva on June 11th. 3 of our remaining 4 games are at home... With that said, I like our chances...
Still hungover? Enjoy it, the party ends on friday. All the crocodile tears after friday will cause a flash flood in downtown Basel
Ouch! I really do like Switzerland's chances. The biggest key is as SwissGCZ pointed out that three of the last four games are at home. Switzerland has already travelled to Albania and Georgia and took points in both of those matches. The Russia game will not be in the freezing cold, thus negating that advantage. Also having already played in Ireland, this bodes well. While the two Russian games are big, the Albania game intrigues me. There are quite a few Albanians in Switzerland whose loyalty would first go to Albania. I wonder what type of crowd will show up in Geneva on 11 June. Another advantage that Switzerland has is that the next two games, played 4 days apart are both home, no travel. The trip from Basel to Geneva on train (if they take it) lasts 2 hours. Much better than having to fly between countries and deal with the problems that can arrive. See the Georgia game for what I mean. I am optimistic.