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.
10/09/2010
Formula 1 Race Fourteen: Preview
It's time for another Grand Prix! This weekend we're at Monza, Italy, the home of Ferrari. Indeed, the Ferraris were fast in today's practise sessions, but Vettel went faster still. Massa - the only driver not to retire in a race this season - was second-fastest. The MacLarens were also good.
HRT were having problems with Senna's car, and he didn't get a time in either session. Webber also had problems with loss of water pressure in the second session, and Alguersuari also had to drop out. However, if they can get their problems fixed overnight, or in tomorrow's third session, they should be able to attempt qualification. But they'll do better if they can fix the problems earlier.
Karun Chandhok is once again sitting things out. I suppose he must be taking some payment for his work with the BBC, though, up in the commentary box. He may be an F1 driver, but he's not a rich one. [He is single, though :D] Last weekend he was the first F1 driver to experience the new Korean circuit, which should be ready on time. And he got a change of speed too, with one of the Red Bull cars. Nice!
HRT were having problems with Senna's car, and he didn't get a time in either session. Webber also had problems with loss of water pressure in the second session, and Alguersuari also had to drop out. However, if they can get their problems fixed overnight, or in tomorrow's third session, they should be able to attempt qualification. But they'll do better if they can fix the problems earlier.
Karun Chandhok is once again sitting things out. I suppose he must be taking some payment for his work with the BBC, though, up in the commentary box. He may be an F1 driver, but he's not a rich one. [He is single, though :D] Last weekend he was the first F1 driver to experience the new Korean circuit, which should be ready on time. And he got a change of speed too, with one of the Red Bull cars. Nice!
08/09/2010
Most Humble Apologies
Since nobody corrected me yesterday on the Scotland-Liechtenstein score, I am forced to believe that either:
1 - nobody reads this or,
2 - you all accept what I say as gospel truth.
But actually, I have to get on my knees and admit my mistakes. Scotland did, in fact, win yesterday. A very last-minute goal got them their first victory in these qualifiers.
1 - nobody reads this or,
2 - you all accept what I say as gospel truth.
But actually, I have to get on my knees and admit my mistakes. Scotland did, in fact, win yesterday. A very last-minute goal got them their first victory in these qualifiers.
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.
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