With one week until we are flying through the international week and two qualification groups predicted and accounted for, it is time to look at the largest of the qualification zones, Europe. Naturally Biggy left this one to Chamo given his following of all things European. The most interesting match-ups to note, especially for this upcoming week, come from groups one and three, with two big names on the verge of not making it into South Africa next summer. Portugal has the opportunity to salvage qualification as they match up against both Hungary and Denmark, the two teams ahead of them in the standings. Meanwhile, the Czech Republic has an incredibly important match against Slovakia followed by a simple game versus the minnows from San Marino. See who Chamo thinks will make it to the big dance next June and who will spend a lonely summer at home!

When the groups were first announced many moons ago I noted a few things:

1) Croatia and England were paired up again, and England was still very, very pissed about how Euro 2008 qualification ended up.

2) Ireland managed to pull a group that could potentially see them back in the World Cup after an eight year hiatus.

3) The Dutch got an easy draw (which they took quick advantage of).

4) Group One should be won by the Portuguese, but their group is a sleeper, with both Denmark and Sweden, as well as Hungary, producing decent teams.

5) Last, I saw that in general, the draw was pretty even. Initially I didn’t see any big name teams in a group they would struggle with.

Boy was I wrong about 5.

Group One:

This entire group is determined by the next week of results. If Portugal lose either game they are through, even if mathematically that doesn’t make sense, I simply do not see the Portuguese gathering their bearings enough in time to mount a late stage coup. I mean, we’re talking about a team that almost drew to Albania. Denmark and Hungary have looked good, while Sweden, by their own standards, has looked rather poor. Sweden still has a huge role to play though, as they have important matches, one in Hungary on Saturday, and one in Denmark October 10th that can derail the Hungarian qualification efforts after their match against Portugal this week. Albania and Malta are through, with a combined 7 points between the two sides, they can look forward to a relaxing summer that all of their fans were expecting anyways.

Match Predictions:

September 5th:

Denmark 1:1 Portugal

Hungary 2:2 Sweden

September 9th:

Malta 1:4 Sweden

Albania 1:2 Denmark

Hungary 1:0 Portugal

October 10th:

Portugal 2:1 Hungary

Denmark 2:1 Sweden

October 14th:

Sweden 3:1 Albania

Denmark 1:2 Hungary

Portugal 4:0 Malta

Final Standings:

Denmark 23 points – Qualify

Hungary 20 points – Playoff

Sweden 16 points

Portugal 16 points

Albania 6 points

Malta 1 point

Group Two:

Group Two has the distinction of being completely undetermined through this point in qualification. Both Switzerland and Greece are top with 13 points, but not far behind is the surprising Latvian squad, followed closely by the Israeli’s who always manage to cause a stir. The group is held up by Moldova and Luxembourg, who, like Malta and Albania in Group One, stand no chance of qualifying. The first round of matches has the potential to show the final shaping of the group as the two up top play each other in Switzerland, while 3 also plays 4, but the Latvians have it tough, travelling to hostile Ramat Gan for that matchup.

Match Predictions:

September 5th:

Moldova 1:1 Luxembourg

Israel 1:0 Latvia

Switzerland 2:1 Greece

September 9th:

Israel 2:0 Luxembourg

Moldova 0-1 Greece

Latvia 1:1 Switzerland

October 10th:

Luxembourg 0:2 Switzerland

Israel 2:0 Moldova

Greece 3:1 Latvia

October 14th:

Latvia 1:0 Moldova

Switzerland 2:1 Israel

Greece 3:1 Luxembourg

Final Standings:

Switzerland 23 points – Qualify

Greece 22 points – Playoff

Israel 18 points

Latvia 14 points

Luxembourg 5 points

Moldova 2 points

Group 3:

The Czech Republic is in big trouble. Not only are they in second to last place in their group (with a game in hand on some) with only four matches remaining, but they have some matches against teams that are younger, and more skillful than they are in the coming weeks. The Czech team is old, and they are showing it. Younger squads like Slovakia are emerging as powerful and fast teams, and while San Marino is yet again the laughing stock of whichever group they get placed into, their shame is relieved by the underperformance of the Czech’s. Poland is in danger of an early summer as well, while my boys out in Belfast have managed to climb into second position, an exciting prospect for yours truly. Still, there is going to be late drama in Group Three, I guarantee it.

Match Predictions:

September 5th:

Poland 1:1 Northern Ireland

Slovakia 1:0 Czech Republic

September 9th:

Czech Republic 3:0 San Marino

Northern Ireland 1:1 Slovakia

Slovenia 0:2 Poland

October 10th:

Czech Republic 1:3 Poland

Slovakia 1:0 Slovenia

October 14th:

Czech Republic 2:1 Northern Ireland

San Marino 0:4 Slovenia

Poland 1:0 Slovakia


Final Standings:

Slovakia 22 points – Qualify

Poland 20 points – Playoff

Northern Ireland 15 points

Slovenia 14 points

Czech Republic 14points

San Marino 0 points

UPDATE: Here is Groups Four, Five and Six

UPDATE: Here is Groups Seven, Eight and Nine

Groups 4-6 tomorrow morning. Until then, let me know what you think!