The best UK team this weekend was Northern Ireland, with two draws, although they should have done better against the Faroe Islands. The worst team was Wales, who had two losses - to Montenegro and Switzerland. Scotland also had two losses, but they did too well against Spain to be the worst UK team this weekend. England barely scrape ahead of Scotland, as they should have done better against Montenegro.
Most unexpected result: Azerbaijan 1 – 0 Turkey. Surprising because Azerbaijan are 102nd in the world to Turkey's 21st. This is Azerbaijan's first win of Euro 2012 qualifying after losses against Germany and Austria. Turkey are suffering their second loss this weekend after Germany on Friday, but beat Begium and Kazakhstan previously.
Most predictable result: Armenia 4 – 0 Andorra. I'd have gone for the San Marino game, but they didn't get quite as bad a score as usual, since they were playing against Moldova. Actually, since the gap is smaller for Armenia and Andorra, San Marino are doing better than their fellow poor-scorers.
Most embarrassing result: Estonia 0 – 1 Slovenia. The only goal in this game was an Estonian own goal. Funnily enough, Serbia scored an own goal against Estonia on Friday, which got them the most embarrassing result for that round of qualification matches.
Most promising result: France 2 – 0 Luxembourg. France are winning again. Okay, Luxembourg are easy, but they also beat Romania. Perhaps they can start rising in the ranks again.
Most unusual result: Italy – Serbia. They're taking two of the 'awards tonight'. An abandonment counts as an unusual result in anyone's book. For completed games. This goes to Belgium 4 – 4 Austria, who are only one place apart in the FIFA rankings. This pair of Western European countries kept their fans excited to the end, with first one then the other team getting ahead. Two goals were scored in extra time – one by each team!
Cleanest game: Netherlands 4 – 1 Sweden. It was a toss-up between three games, but the Netherlands got it because of their improved form since the World Cup final.
Dirtiest game: Italy - Serbia. And it was the fans, not the players, who made this game dirty. Serbian fans, to be precise. They had already clashed with Italian police, and continued their poor behaviour at the stadium. As the players were emerging onto the pitch, some Serbian hooligans set off fireworks and threw flares onto the pitch. The players had to return to their dressing rooms as Italian riot cops confronted the fans. The match eventually started 40 minutes late, after a nasty booing of the Serbian national anthem by the Italian fans. After a mere seven minutes it was abandoned by the Scottish referee. Terrible! Why do British referees always get the bad games?
Showing posts with label qualification. Show all posts
Showing posts with label qualification. Show all posts
08/10/2010
Euro 2012 Qualification: 8/10/2010 results
UEFA have drastically updated their MatchCentre to display the matches far more sensibly. I won't go into the changes, but let's just say it is much simpler to use and has much less scrolling! It also now displays team statistics, including results and averages of previous games between the two sides.
My complaints would be first that it is still not updated very well as the match goes on. It can take some time to get the 'live' results appearing, and corrections often have to be made so you can't trust what it says. [Portugal's own goal was originally credited to one of the Danish players]
Secondly, in the statistics section there are red (home) and blue (away) bars to show how many goals, cards, shots etc. each team has had. But while some of these are positive, others are negative. It can therefore be hard to see which team is dominating a game – if a team has a good number of shots but a low number of cards, it looks like an even game, but a good number of shots and high number of cards looks like a dominated game.
Most Unexpected Result: Armenia 3 – 1 Slovakia. Surprising because Armenia are 89 points lower in rank than Slovakia, who were in the World Cup!
Most Expected Result: Hungary 8 – 0 San Marino. Because San Marino are... one of the worst international football teams in the world.
Most Embarrassing Result: Serbia 1 – 3 Estonia. Serbia helped Estonia to their victory with an own goal in extra time at the end of the second half. This was the first of two own goals scored today.
Most Promising Result: Northern Ireland 0 – 0 Italy. Holding Italy to a scoreless draw is fantastic for any team. Northern Ireland would have no shame in losing to Italy, but drawing shows that their victory against Slovenia was not a fluke result. More importantly, Northern Ireland are the only team in the British Isles who didn't lose tonight! (England weren't playing; Ireland lost to Russia; Wales lost to Bulgaria; Scotland lost to the Czech Republic)
Most Unusual Result: Portugal 3 – 1 Denmark. Why Unusual? Portugal scored all the goals! At least they managed to win despite this.
Cleanest Game: Spain 3 – 1 Lithuania; Moldova 0 – 1 Netherlands; Northern Ireland 0 – 0 Italy. No cards of any kind. Spain continue the way they were going in the World Cup before the final (they were the only team to get no cards in the group stages). However, it's a very clean game for the Dutch. And Northern Ireland earn more kudos for not getting any cards against Italy, who have been known in the past to dive.
Dirtiest Game: Wales 0 – 1 Bulgaria. In this awful game one Welsh player – defender Chris Gunter (Nottingham Forest) – got a straight red card. His teammate Sam Ricketts (Bolton) got a yellow, as did four Bulgarian players including another Bolton player.
My complaints would be first that it is still not updated very well as the match goes on. It can take some time to get the 'live' results appearing, and corrections often have to be made so you can't trust what it says. [Portugal's own goal was originally credited to one of the Danish players]
Secondly, in the statistics section there are red (home) and blue (away) bars to show how many goals, cards, shots etc. each team has had. But while some of these are positive, others are negative. It can therefore be hard to see which team is dominating a game – if a team has a good number of shots but a low number of cards, it looks like an even game, but a good number of shots and high number of cards looks like a dominated game.
Most Unexpected Result: Armenia 3 – 1 Slovakia. Surprising because Armenia are 89 points lower in rank than Slovakia, who were in the World Cup!
Most Expected Result: Hungary 8 – 0 San Marino. Because San Marino are... one of the worst international football teams in the world.
Most Embarrassing Result: Serbia 1 – 3 Estonia. Serbia helped Estonia to their victory with an own goal in extra time at the end of the second half. This was the first of two own goals scored today.
Most Promising Result: Northern Ireland 0 – 0 Italy. Holding Italy to a scoreless draw is fantastic for any team. Northern Ireland would have no shame in losing to Italy, but drawing shows that their victory against Slovenia was not a fluke result. More importantly, Northern Ireland are the only team in the British Isles who didn't lose tonight! (England weren't playing; Ireland lost to Russia; Wales lost to Bulgaria; Scotland lost to the Czech Republic)
Most Unusual Result: Portugal 3 – 1 Denmark. Why Unusual? Portugal scored all the goals! At least they managed to win despite this.
Cleanest Game: Spain 3 – 1 Lithuania; Moldova 0 – 1 Netherlands; Northern Ireland 0 – 0 Italy. No cards of any kind. Spain continue the way they were going in the World Cup before the final (they were the only team to get no cards in the group stages). However, it's a very clean game for the Dutch. And Northern Ireland earn more kudos for not getting any cards against Italy, who have been known in the past to dive.
Dirtiest Game: Wales 0 – 1 Bulgaria. In this awful game one Welsh player – defender Chris Gunter (Nottingham Forest) – got a straight red card. His teammate Sam Ricketts (Bolton) got a yellow, as did four Bulgarian players including another Bolton player.
10/09/2010
Euro 2012 Qualification: Groups A, B September
For the next few days I'll cover the Euro 2012 points for two groups each post. On the sixteenth I'll cover the changes on the FIFA rankings charts where it's interesting.
Group A
There have only been five games for group A so far; for some reason, Austria and Azerbaijan did not play each other on Friday. However, in the matches that were played, Germany won against Azerbaijan and their neighbours Belgium, Turkey beat Kazakhstan and Belgium, and Austria beat Kazakhstan.
Germany earned 1140 points from beating Belgium, and 712.5 points for beating Azerbaijan.*
Turkey earned 562.5 points from beating Kazakhstan, and 1140 points for beating Belgium.
Austria also earned 562.5 points for their victory over Kazakhstan.
Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan and Belgium earned no points over the weekend, because they lost all their games.
Now, Germany head up group A, with Turkey second, Austria third, then Belgium, Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan last.
*Points are averaged over the number of matches per year, down to five. If teams play less than five matches, the total is still divided by five.
Group B
Group B had six games over the weekend. The Republic of Ireland won both their games against Armenia and Andorra; Russia beat Andorra but lost to Slovakia. Macedonia lost to Slovakia and won against Armenia.
Ireland earned 780 points from beating Armenia, and 375 points for beating Andorra.
Russia earned 375 points from beating Andorra, but didn't get any when they lost to Slovakia.
Slovakia earned 1005 points from beating Macedonia, and 1380 points from beating Russia.
Macedonia also earned 780 points for winning against Armenia.
Armenia and Andorra, having lost both their games, earned no points.
Ireland lead the group on goal difference, with Slovakia second. Macedonia and Russia are third, with Armenia and Andorra fifth and sixth respectively.
Group A
There have only been five games for group A so far; for some reason, Austria and Azerbaijan did not play each other on Friday. However, in the matches that were played, Germany won against Azerbaijan and their neighbours Belgium, Turkey beat Kazakhstan and Belgium, and Austria beat Kazakhstan.
Germany earned 1140 points from beating Belgium, and 712.5 points for beating Azerbaijan.*
Turkey earned 562.5 points from beating Kazakhstan, and 1140 points for beating Belgium.
Austria also earned 562.5 points for their victory over Kazakhstan.
Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan and Belgium earned no points over the weekend, because they lost all their games.
Now, Germany head up group A, with Turkey second, Austria third, then Belgium, Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan last.
*Points are averaged over the number of matches per year, down to five. If teams play less than five matches, the total is still divided by five.
Group B
Group B had six games over the weekend. The Republic of Ireland won both their games against Armenia and Andorra; Russia beat Andorra but lost to Slovakia. Macedonia lost to Slovakia and won against Armenia.
Ireland earned 780 points from beating Armenia, and 375 points for beating Andorra.
Russia earned 375 points from beating Andorra, but didn't get any when they lost to Slovakia.
Slovakia earned 1005 points from beating Macedonia, and 1380 points from beating Russia.
Macedonia also earned 780 points for winning against Armenia.
Armenia and Andorra, having lost both their games, earned no points.
Ireland lead the group on goal difference, with Slovakia second. Macedonia and Russia are third, with Armenia and Andorra fifth and sixth respectively.
07/09/2010
Euro 2012 Qualification: 7/9/2010 Results
Poor-tugal
More surprises today, especially from Portugal and Georgia. France, however, improved and won a match. Here's the top five surprising results:
1. Georgia (110) drew with Israel (38). There's a difference of 72 places in their world rankings, but this is the second time that Georgia have drawn with a good team this weekend.
2. Montenegro (73) beat Bulgaria (43). Perhaps Bulgaria's 4-0 defeat to England was sagging their spirits.
3. Albania (70) beat the Czech Republic (31)!
4. Norway (22) beat Portugal (8). Portugal are supposed to be a world class team, and should easily defeat their opponents in most situations. This is disappointing.
5. Scotland's (41) draw against Liechtenstein (141) was bad, considering the 100-place difference. Should have been a win for the Scots.
In the British Isles, England and the Republic of Ireland both won (no games today for Wales or Northern Ireland), and Scotland continue to be mediocre. Full group summaries to come over the next few days.
Next weekend: Premier League football, and the Italian Grand Prix.
15th September: FIFA update the world rankings!
More surprises today, especially from Portugal and Georgia. France, however, improved and won a match. Here's the top five surprising results:
1. Georgia (110) drew with Israel (38). There's a difference of 72 places in their world rankings, but this is the second time that Georgia have drawn with a good team this weekend.
2. Montenegro (73) beat Bulgaria (43). Perhaps Bulgaria's 4-0 defeat to England was sagging their spirits.
3. Albania (70) beat the Czech Republic (31)!
4. Norway (22) beat Portugal (8). Portugal are supposed to be a world class team, and should easily defeat their opponents in most situations. This is disappointing.
5. Scotland's (41) draw against Liechtenstein (141) was bad, considering the 100-place difference. Should have been a win for the Scots.
In the British Isles, England and the Republic of Ireland both won (no games today for Wales or Northern Ireland), and Scotland continue to be mediocre. Full group summaries to come over the next few days.
Next weekend: Premier League football, and the Italian Grand Prix.
15th September: FIFA update the world rankings!
03/09/2010
Euro 2012 Qualification: 3/9/2010 Results
There are always surprises
These matches will be summarized properly after the Tuesday games, when I will go over each group and the points scored in individual posts. However, here are the surprises of Friday's football:
1. Northern Ireland (59) beat Slovenia (19) giving them 1357.5 FIFA points, which is the most points achieved today by a team.
2. Belarus (78) beat France (21) giving them 1342.5 points. This would be more spectacular if France had not done so badly in the World Cup and had several players banned for today's game.
3. Georgia (110) drew with Greece (12) 1-1! Greece are an odd team who sometimes do well, and sometimes badly.
4. Cyprus (63) scored well against Portugal (8), and ended up drawing 4-4! That's going to hit Portugal hard.
5. Moldova (89) beat Finland (51) 2-0!
In the British Isles (including the Republic of Ireland) there were some good games. Only Wales lost, and England's Defoe scored a hat-trick against Bulgaria. England have now matched their home games winning streak record of 11 games. In total 55 goals were scored today.
Tuesday: More international football.
Next weekend: F1 from Italy, and the Barclays Premier League.
These matches will be summarized properly after the Tuesday games, when I will go over each group and the points scored in individual posts. However, here are the surprises of Friday's football:
1. Northern Ireland (59) beat Slovenia (19) giving them 1357.5 FIFA points, which is the most points achieved today by a team.
2. Belarus (78) beat France (21) giving them 1342.5 points. This would be more spectacular if France had not done so badly in the World Cup and had several players banned for today's game.
3. Georgia (110) drew with Greece (12) 1-1! Greece are an odd team who sometimes do well, and sometimes badly.
4. Cyprus (63) scored well against Portugal (8), and ended up drawing 4-4! That's going to hit Portugal hard.
5. Moldova (89) beat Finland (51) 2-0!
In the British Isles (including the Republic of Ireland) there were some good games. Only Wales lost, and England's Defoe scored a hat-trick against Bulgaria. England have now matched their home games winning streak record of 11 games. In total 55 goals were scored today.
Tuesday: More international football.
Next weekend: F1 from Italy, and the Barclays Premier League.
02/09/2010
Euro 2012 Qualification: 2/9/2010 Results
Israel are not the only Euro country whose physical location is not in Europe, but they're the only ones who are Asian politically. [Armenia and Cyprus are geograpically in Asia, and several countries straddle the boundary] Today they played Malta.
The game ended in a 3-1 win for Israel, including one penalty. Since Malta's position is 151st in the world, they get a multiplier of 0.50 on the FIFA/Coca-Cola world ranking points calculation (all countries under 150th automatically get this). Israel's total points are:
P = M*I*T*C*100 = 3*2.5*0.5*1*100 = 375
This isn't a lot of points - in fact it's the least you can obtain from a win in a European qualifying game. It's Israel's fifth win against Malta, and they have never lost - in fact they have a 5W 2D 0L record.
The game ended in a 3-1 win for Israel, including one penalty. Since Malta's position is 151st in the world, they get a multiplier of 0.50 on the FIFA/Coca-Cola world ranking points calculation (all countries under 150th automatically get this). Israel's total points are:
This isn't a lot of points - in fact it's the least you can obtain from a win in a European qualifying game. It's Israel's fifth win against Malta, and they have never lost - in fact they have a 5W 2D 0L record.
01/09/2010
Euro 2012 Qualification: 2/9/2010-7/9/2010 part 2
Here's the second set of matches: groups F-I. Since groups G, H and I only have five teams in them, only two games are played in each set of matches, leaving one team out. I've said which team it is every time.
Group F - 2/9/2010
There's only one game on September 2nd. Possibly this is because Israel would not be happy to play on a Friday, with it being the day before their Sabbath, especially with the evening kick off. Israel (38) take on Malta (151) and are likely to win.
3/9/2010
The other two games are on September 3rd. Latvia (49) play Croatia (14), and Greece (12) play Georgia (110). Croatia and Greece are both good enough to win – especially Greece, who have won a Euro competition in the past.
7/9/2010
Georgia (110) play Israel (38), Malta (151) play Latvia (49), and Croatia (14) play Greece (12). It should be a fascinating match between the Croats and Greece, with no predicable result. Latvia and Israel should both win their games.
Group G - 3/9/2010[Switzerland left out]
Montenegro (73) play Wales (73), and England (7) play Bulgaria (43). An easy first game for England that they should win, but Wales have a challenge against their opponents.
7/9/2010 [Wales left out]
Bulgaria (43) play Montenegro (73), and Switzerland (17) play England (7). Easy win for Bulgaria, but England have a challenge. Edited because of mistakes by me
Group H - 3/9/2010 [Cyprus left out]
Denmark (29) play Iceland (79), Norway (22) play Portugal (8). Portugal, a good team anywhere, are most likely to win, and Denmark have a history of good football so should also beat Iceland.
7/9/2010 [Iceland left out]
Cyprus (63) play Norway (22), Portugal (8) play Denmark (29). Portugal again should win, and Norway should beat Cyprus.
Group I - 3/9/2010 [Czech Republic left out]
Lithuania (52) play Scotland (41), Liechtenstein (141) play Spain (1). A win for Spain, no doubt, but Scotland have a challenge.
7/9/2010 [Spain left out]
Czech Republic (31) play Lithuania (52), Scotland (41) play Liechtenstein (141). For Scotland a win seems certain, but the Czech Republic may struggle against Lithuania.
Group F - 2/9/2010
There's only one game on September 2nd. Possibly this is because Israel would not be happy to play on a Friday, with it being the day before their Sabbath, especially with the evening kick off. Israel (38) take on Malta (151) and are likely to win.
3/9/2010
The other two games are on September 3rd. Latvia (49) play Croatia (14), and Greece (12) play Georgia (110). Croatia and Greece are both good enough to win – especially Greece, who have won a Euro competition in the past.
7/9/2010
Georgia (110) play Israel (38), Malta (151) play Latvia (49), and Croatia (14) play Greece (12). It should be a fascinating match between the Croats and Greece, with no predicable result. Latvia and Israel should both win their games.
Group G - 3/9/2010[Switzerland left out]
Montenegro (73) play Wales (73), and England (7) play Bulgaria (43). An easy first game for England that they should win, but Wales have a challenge against their opponents.
7/9/2010 [Wales left out]
Bulgaria (43) play Montenegro (73), and Switzerland (17) play England (7). Easy win for Bulgaria, but England have a challenge. Edited because of mistakes by me
Group H - 3/9/2010 [Cyprus left out]
Denmark (29) play Iceland (79), Norway (22) play Portugal (8). Portugal, a good team anywhere, are most likely to win, and Denmark have a history of good football so should also beat Iceland.
7/9/2010 [Iceland left out]
Cyprus (63) play Norway (22), Portugal (8) play Denmark (29). Portugal again should win, and Norway should beat Cyprus.
Group I - 3/9/2010 [Czech Republic left out]
Lithuania (52) play Scotland (41), Liechtenstein (141) play Spain (1). A win for Spain, no doubt, but Scotland have a challenge.
7/9/2010 [Spain left out]
Czech Republic (31) play Lithuania (52), Scotland (41) play Liechtenstein (141). For Scotland a win seems certain, but the Czech Republic may struggle against Lithuania.
31/08/2010
Euro 2012 Qualification: 2/9/2010-7/9/2010
This week, we have two sets of International games taking place. The first lot are on Thursday 2nd and Friday 3rd of September, and the second are on Tuesday 7th. [Subject to any last-minute changes]
Over the next couple of posts, I'll take a brief look at each group and the matches taking place before and after the weekend. Today you get groups A-E, and tomorrow's post is groups F-I. After the games (on Saturday and Wednesday respectively), I'll review the number of FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking Points each team received.
Group A - 3/9/2010
Kazakhstan (125) play Turkey (28), and Belgium (48) play Germany (4). For all the teams, it's the first non-friendly match they've played since the World Cup. Germany and Turkey should easily win.
7/9/2010
Turkey (28) play Belgium (48), Austria (60) play Kazakhstan (125), and Germany (4) play Azerbaijan (105). Again another easy win for Germany (hopefully), but Turkey may have a tricky match against Belgium. Austria should win against the Kazakhs.
Group B - 3/9/2010
Armenia (96) play Republic of Ireland (36), Andorra (201) play Russia (16), and Slovakia (27) play Macedonia (66). It's amazing that there are enough Andorrans to form a football team, so Russia should easily win; Slovakia's World Cup time puts them far ahead of Macedonia; and Republic of Ireland will almost certainly beat Armenia.
7/9/2010
Russia (16) play Slovakia (27), Macedonia (66) play Armenia (96), and Republic of Ireland (36) play Andorra (201). RoI will definitely win, but I am not sure about the other matches. Could be draws.
Group C - 3/9/2010
Faroe Islands (118) play Serbia (13), Estonia (94) play Italy (11), and Slovenia (19) play Northern Ireland (59). I suspect Serbia, Italy and Slovenia will each win their matches. No problems.
7/9/2010
Serbia (13) play Slovenia (19), and Italy (11) play Faroe Islands (118). It's unclear about Serbia and Slovenia, but Italy shouldn't lose to the Faroes.
Group D - 3/9/2010
Romania (42) play Albania (70), Luxembourg (117) play Bosnia and Herzegovina (57), and France (21) play Belarus (78). France and Romania are both set to win, and Bosnia-Herzegovina will almost certainly beat the smaller country of Luxembourg.
7/9/2010
Belarus (78) play Romania (42), Albania (70) play Luxembourg (117), and Bosnia-Herzegovina (57) play France (21). An easy win for France – despite their poor World Cup performance, they're still good. Romania may beat Belarus, and Albania should beat Luxembourg.
Group E - 3/9/2010
Moldova (89) play Finland (51), Sweden (35) play Hungary (62), and San Marino (202) play Netherlands (2). San Marino are one of the few teams to have no FIFA/Coca-Cola World Championship points, so will lose to Netherlands easily. Hungary and Moldova will be more of a challenge to their opponents, but I would expect the Scandinavians to win.
7/9/2010
Sweden (35) play San Marino (202), Netherlands (2) play Finland (51), and Hungary (62) play Moldova (89). Sweden and Netherlands will both win, but Hungary-Moldova could be interesting.
Over the next couple of posts, I'll take a brief look at each group and the matches taking place before and after the weekend. Today you get groups A-E, and tomorrow's post is groups F-I. After the games (on Saturday and Wednesday respectively), I'll review the number of FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking Points each team received.
Group A - 3/9/2010
Kazakhstan (125) play Turkey (28), and Belgium (48) play Germany (4). For all the teams, it's the first non-friendly match they've played since the World Cup. Germany and Turkey should easily win.
7/9/2010
Turkey (28) play Belgium (48), Austria (60) play Kazakhstan (125), and Germany (4) play Azerbaijan (105). Again another easy win for Germany (hopefully), but Turkey may have a tricky match against Belgium. Austria should win against the Kazakhs.
Group B - 3/9/2010
Armenia (96) play Republic of Ireland (36), Andorra (201) play Russia (16), and Slovakia (27) play Macedonia (66). It's amazing that there are enough Andorrans to form a football team, so Russia should easily win; Slovakia's World Cup time puts them far ahead of Macedonia; and Republic of Ireland will almost certainly beat Armenia.
7/9/2010
Russia (16) play Slovakia (27), Macedonia (66) play Armenia (96), and Republic of Ireland (36) play Andorra (201). RoI will definitely win, but I am not sure about the other matches. Could be draws.
Group C - 3/9/2010
Faroe Islands (118) play Serbia (13), Estonia (94) play Italy (11), and Slovenia (19) play Northern Ireland (59). I suspect Serbia, Italy and Slovenia will each win their matches. No problems.
7/9/2010
Serbia (13) play Slovenia (19), and Italy (11) play Faroe Islands (118). It's unclear about Serbia and Slovenia, but Italy shouldn't lose to the Faroes.
Group D - 3/9/2010
Romania (42) play Albania (70), Luxembourg (117) play Bosnia and Herzegovina (57), and France (21) play Belarus (78). France and Romania are both set to win, and Bosnia-Herzegovina will almost certainly beat the smaller country of Luxembourg.
7/9/2010
Belarus (78) play Romania (42), Albania (70) play Luxembourg (117), and Bosnia-Herzegovina (57) play France (21). An easy win for France – despite their poor World Cup performance, they're still good. Romania may beat Belarus, and Albania should beat Luxembourg.
Group E - 3/9/2010
Moldova (89) play Finland (51), Sweden (35) play Hungary (62), and San Marino (202) play Netherlands (2). San Marino are one of the few teams to have no FIFA/Coca-Cola World Championship points, so will lose to Netherlands easily. Hungary and Moldova will be more of a challenge to their opponents, but I would expect the Scandinavians to win.
7/9/2010
Sweden (35) play San Marino (202), Netherlands (2) play Finland (51), and Hungary (62) play Moldova (89). Sweden and Netherlands will both win, but Hungary-Moldova could be interesting.
02/08/2010
Euro 2012 Qualification
Euro 2012 will be hosted by Poland and Ukraine. The first qualification match will be on August 11th, although most will be at the start of September.
Group: A
Teams (world rank): Germany (4), Turkey (28), Austria (60), Belgium (48), Kazakhstan (126), Azerbaijan (106)
Comments: Germany are certain to go through. Apart from that, Turkey are a good team and quite a few good world cup players usually play in the Turkish league. As for Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan being in Europe, they used to be in the USSR and are predominantly Muslim countries, but also are ex-Turkic states, which places them between Europe and Asia. Kazakhstan actually only became a country in 1991, nineteen years ago.
Group: B
Teams (world rank): Russia (17), Slovakia (27), Republic of Ireland (36), FYR Macedonia (66), Armenia (96), Andorra (201)
Comments: Russia are one of the best-ranked countries to not qualify for the World Cup 2010. Slovakia are one of the worst to qualify, but did well. The Republic of Ireland were denied entry to South Africa 2010 by a handball from France's Thierry Henry. Andorra are one of the worst-ranked teams in the world, probably because of a lack of players to choose from. I'd say Russia will qualify.
Group: C
Teams (world rank): Italy (11), Serbia (13), Northern Ireland (59), Slovenia (19), Estonia (95), Faroe Islands (117)
Comments: Italy had a terrible World Cup, and are under pressure to do better. Serbia, meanwhile, managed to be one of only two teams to beat Germany. Slovenia didn't do so well, but they did have to face England and the USA. I'd say Italy may qualify, but they may also end up in the playoffs.
Estonia and Faroe Islands kick off the first game of the tournament on August 11th. I won't be able to watch it, but I'll comment afterwards.
Group: D
Teams (world rank): France (21), Romania (42), Bosnia-Herzegovina (57), Belarus (77), Albania (71), Luxembourg (116)
Comments: France lost to South Africa and had the worst world ranking drop of any good team. Can they beat any of the other low-ranked teams in this group? Romania are a pretty good team usually, although they failed to qualify for the World Cup this year. I will put my vote on Romania.
Group: E
Teams (world rank): Netherlands (2), Sweden (35), Finland (51), Hungary (62), Moldova (89), San Marino (202)
Comments: San Marino are worse-ranked than Andorra! Netherlands and Sweden will probably qualify, but the Sweden-Finland game should be nicely competitive.
Group: F
Teams (world rank): Croatia (15), Greece (12), Israel (37), Latvia (50), Georgia (111), Malta (152)
Comments: England and Croatia aren't in the same group, so they will definitely face in the finals (it always happens. England stopped Croatia getting to the World Cup). However, Greece will get into the playoffs.
Group: G
Teams (world rank): England (7), Switzerland (18), Bulgaria (43), Wales (84), Montenegro (72)
Comments: Guess who I'm supporting? Switzerland did okay in the World Cup, but with the other teams (usually) much lower-ranked, and England still being reasonable at football, England surely cannot fail to qualify.
Group: H
Teams: Portugal (8), Denmark (29), Norway (22), Cyprus (63), Iceland (79)
Comments: Portugal are most likely to qualify, but Denmark are a good team, even if Norway are currently better-ranked. There is another Scandinavian clash between Denmark and Norway here.
Group: I
Teams: Spain (1), Czech Republic (31), Scotland (41), Lithuania (52), Liechtenstein (140)
Comments: Yes, Euro and World Cup holders Spain do have to fight to hold their title. I have no doubt that they will do so. Sorry, Scotland, but you will remain the butt of England's football jokes. As for Liechtenstein, they managed to hold England down to only 2-0 wins in 2004. It was a great disappointment for England.
How does qualification work? In each group, the winner qualifies for Euro 2012, which is nine teams. They will join Poland and Ukraine (the hosts) in the group stages. The best runner up in groups A-F (six team groups) will also qualify, and the other eight runners up will enter the playoffs for the final four competitors. The four top-seed (best UEFA ranked) teams will play against the other four to decide who also qualifies to get into the top sixteen European teams. The UEFA ranking is found by cutting all the non-European teams out of the FIFA rankings and renumbering. This makes England the fourth-best team in Europe!
Group: A
Teams (world rank): Germany (4), Turkey (28), Austria (60), Belgium (48), Kazakhstan (126), Azerbaijan (106)
Comments: Germany are certain to go through. Apart from that, Turkey are a good team and quite a few good world cup players usually play in the Turkish league. As for Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan being in Europe, they used to be in the USSR and are predominantly Muslim countries, but also are ex-Turkic states, which places them between Europe and Asia. Kazakhstan actually only became a country in 1991, nineteen years ago.
Group: B
Teams (world rank): Russia (17), Slovakia (27), Republic of Ireland (36), FYR Macedonia (66), Armenia (96), Andorra (201)
Comments: Russia are one of the best-ranked countries to not qualify for the World Cup 2010. Slovakia are one of the worst to qualify, but did well. The Republic of Ireland were denied entry to South Africa 2010 by a handball from France's Thierry Henry. Andorra are one of the worst-ranked teams in the world, probably because of a lack of players to choose from. I'd say Russia will qualify.
Group: C
Teams (world rank): Italy (11), Serbia (13), Northern Ireland (59), Slovenia (19), Estonia (95), Faroe Islands (117)
Comments: Italy had a terrible World Cup, and are under pressure to do better. Serbia, meanwhile, managed to be one of only two teams to beat Germany. Slovenia didn't do so well, but they did have to face England and the USA. I'd say Italy may qualify, but they may also end up in the playoffs.
Estonia and Faroe Islands kick off the first game of the tournament on August 11th. I won't be able to watch it, but I'll comment afterwards.
Group: D
Teams (world rank): France (21), Romania (42), Bosnia-Herzegovina (57), Belarus (77), Albania (71), Luxembourg (116)
Comments: France lost to South Africa and had the worst world ranking drop of any good team. Can they beat any of the other low-ranked teams in this group? Romania are a pretty good team usually, although they failed to qualify for the World Cup this year. I will put my vote on Romania.
Group: E
Teams (world rank): Netherlands (2), Sweden (35), Finland (51), Hungary (62), Moldova (89), San Marino (202)
Comments: San Marino are worse-ranked than Andorra! Netherlands and Sweden will probably qualify, but the Sweden-Finland game should be nicely competitive.
Group: F
Teams (world rank): Croatia (15), Greece (12), Israel (37), Latvia (50), Georgia (111), Malta (152)
Comments: England and Croatia aren't in the same group, so they will definitely face in the finals (it always happens. England stopped Croatia getting to the World Cup). However, Greece will get into the playoffs.
Group: G
Teams (world rank): England (7), Switzerland (18), Bulgaria (43), Wales (84), Montenegro (72)
Comments: Guess who I'm supporting? Switzerland did okay in the World Cup, but with the other teams (usually) much lower-ranked, and England still being reasonable at football, England surely cannot fail to qualify.
Group: H
Teams: Portugal (8), Denmark (29), Norway (22), Cyprus (63), Iceland (79)
Comments: Portugal are most likely to qualify, but Denmark are a good team, even if Norway are currently better-ranked. There is another Scandinavian clash between Denmark and Norway here.
Group: I
Teams: Spain (1), Czech Republic (31), Scotland (41), Lithuania (52), Liechtenstein (140)
Comments: Yes, Euro and World Cup holders Spain do have to fight to hold their title. I have no doubt that they will do so. Sorry, Scotland, but you will remain the butt of England's football jokes. As for Liechtenstein, they managed to hold England down to only 2-0 wins in 2004. It was a great disappointment for England.
How does qualification work? In each group, the winner qualifies for Euro 2012, which is nine teams. They will join Poland and Ukraine (the hosts) in the group stages. The best runner up in groups A-F (six team groups) will also qualify, and the other eight runners up will enter the playoffs for the final four competitors. The four top-seed (best UEFA ranked) teams will play against the other four to decide who also qualifies to get into the top sixteen European teams. The UEFA ranking is found by cutting all the non-European teams out of the FIFA rankings and renumbering. This makes England the fourth-best team in Europe!
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