By Mike Martin ⋅ October 15, 2007 ⋅  Print This Post ⋅ Post a comment

Euro 2008, Global

Group A

Portugal got their campaign back on track with a 2-0 win in Azerbaijan. Bruno Alves headed in a Deco corner before Hugo Almeida turned in Miguel’s cross before half-time to seal the win against ten-man Azerbaijan. Serbia have it all to do after being held goalless in Armenia, whilst Poland gave their fans a fright in Warsaw. 1-0 down at half-time at home to lowly Kazakhstan, it took a second half hat-trick from Ebi Smolarek for them to consolidate top spot. Poland and Portugal would have welcomed the goalless draw between Belgium and Finland in Brussels.

Armenia and Azerbaijan’s two meetings are still set not to go ahead due to political conflict between the two nations.

Poland (P12, 24 Pts); Portugal (P11, 20); Finland (P12, 20); Serbia (P11, 17); Belgium (P11, 12); Armenia (P9, 9), Kazakhstan (P11, 7); Azerbaijan (P9, 5)

Group B

As before, with Scotland, Italy and France all taking maximum points. Scotland impressively beat Ukraine at Hampden Park, ending Ukraine’s already slim chances of qualification. Early goals from Kenny Miller and Lee McCulloch were dampened by Andriy Shevchenko’s opportunist strike before James McFadden, hero of the 1-0 win in France last month, fired home the third. Less helpfully, Alan Hutton and Scott Brown will miss Wednesday’s crucial match in Georgia, although Darren Fletcher could return.

Goals from Andrea Pirlo and Fabio Grosso towards the end of either half gave Italy a 2-0 win over Georgia in Genoa, whilst France eased to a 6-0 win in the Faroe Islands with young Lyon strikers Karim Benzema and Hatem Ben Arfa scoring three between them, while Jérôme Rothen celebrated his return to the national team by curling in a free-kick. Nicolas Anelka and Thierry Henry had eased French nerves with two early goals.

Scotland (P10, 24); Italy (P10, 23); France (P10, 22); Ukraine (P9, 13); Lithuania (P9, 10); Georgia (P10, 7); Faroe Islands (P10, 0)

Group C

A good day for Greece, who beat Bosnia-Herzegovina 3-2 in Athens. Angelos Charisteas scrambled home the opening goal before a stunning Mirko Hrgovic free-kick drew Bosnia level after the break. Hrgovic was sent off soon after, though, and goals from Theofanis Gekas and Nikolaos Lyberopoulos gave Greece the win, despite Vedad Ibisevic’s late consolation.

Greece’s win was ornamented by another bad away day for Turkey, who followed last month’s 2-2 draw in Malta with a dismal 1-1 in Moldova, Ümit Karan cancelling out Viorel Frunza’s early goal for the hosts, which came from a horrendous goalkeeping error by Hakan Arikan. Norway didn’t play, while Hungary beat Malta 2-0 in Budapest. Goals from Róbert Feczesin and Dániel Töszér were not enough to prevent Hungary finally being confirmed as out of contention for a place in Euro 2008.

Greece (P9, 22); Turkey (P9, 18); Norway (P9, 17); Bosnia-Herzegovina (P10, 13); Hungary (P10, 12); Moldova (P10, 6); Malta (P9, 5)

Group D

Germany got the point they needed to become the first side to seal a place in next year’s tournament in Austria and Switzerland, drawing 0-0 win Ireland at Croke Park. The Czech Republic need just one point from three games to join them, after Wales lost 3-1 in Cyprus. James Collins gave them a half-time lead, before a poor second half performance saw Ioannis Okkas (2) and Constantinos Charalampidis brought a result that caused John Toshack to question his place as Wales’ coach.

Slovakia thrashed San Marino 7-0, but rested some key players as they were already unable to qualify following their shock 5-2 defeat at home to Wales in September.

Germany [Q] (P9, 23); Czech Republic (P9, 20); Republic of Ireland (P10, 15); Slovakia (P10, 13); Cyprus (P9, 13); Wales (P9, 10); San Marino (P10, 0)

Group E

Croatia are within spitting distance of qualifying after Eduardo’s goal shortly after half-time gave them a 1-0 win over Israel in Zagreb, ending the Israelis’ hopes of qualification.

England comfortably beat Estonia 3-0 at Wembley to set up a crucial match on Wednesday night in Moscow. Shaun Wright-Phillips nutmegged Estonian goalkeeper Mart Poom to open the scoring, before deflected efforts from Wayne Rooney and Ashley Cole - the latter going down as an own goal by Taavi Rähn - within two minutes gave Steve McLaren’s side the win. Ashley Cole will miss the Russia match due to injury, with McLaren using the second half to blood débutant Joleon Lescott of Everton at left-back.

Croatia will qualify if Russia don’t beat England, whilst England will qualify as well if they can beat Guus Hiddink’s team in Moscow.

Croatia (P10, 26); England (P10, 23); Russia (P9, 18); Israel (P10, 17); Macedonia (P9, 8); Estonia (P11, 4); Andorra (P9, 0)

Group F

Northern Ireland’s hopes of qualifying look all but over after Spain won 3-1 in Denmark. With Fernando Torres and David Villa both injured and Raúl still at odds with national coach Luis Aragonés, Raúl Tamudo of Espanyol started as a loan striker and produced a goal in the 14th minute. Sergio Ramos doubled the lead before a late Jon Dahl Tomasson goal was cancelled out by Albert Riera - another Espanyol player - in the last minute. Denmark will now miss out on another major tournament having not qualified for the 2006 World Cup.

Sweden got a routine 3-0 win over Liechtenstein in Vaduz; Freddie Ljungberg, Christian Wilhelmsson and Anders Svensson on the scoresheet. Latvia’s 4-2 win in Iceland was academic, with their Euro 2004 hero Maris Verpakovskis matching Eidur Gudjohnsen with two goals.

Sweden (P9, 22); Spain (P10, 22); Northern Ireland (P9, 16); Denmark (P9, 14); Latvia (P9, 9); Iceland (P10, 8); Liechtenstein (P10, 4)

Group G

Romantic scoreline of the day was Luxembourg’s 1-0 win in Belarus; their first ever competitive away win. Alphonse Leweck scored in the final minute to record the famous result.

The most significant result, however, came in Constanta. A tap-in from centre-back Dorin Goian in the 71st minute gave Romania a 1-0 win over Holland to give them a three point cushion at the top of the group. Romania still have to play in Bulgaria in November but could qualify even if they lose in Sofia.

Holland’s remaining fixtures should be sufficiantly unchallenging to allow them to join Romania in the finals, although their final match is a potential banana-skin in Belarus, who will be jolted into action by their defeat to Luxembourg.

Slovenia drew 0-0 with Albania in Celje in a match which was even less interesting than it sounds.

Romania (P9, 23); Holland (P9, 20); Bulgaria (P9, 18); Slovenia (P10, 11); Albania (P9, 10); Belarus (P10, 7); Luxembourg (P10, 3)

Footballingworld.com’s predicted qualifiers

Poland, Portugal, Scotland, France, Greece, Norway, Germany (Q), Czech Republic, Croatia, England, Sweden, Spain, Romania, Holland. Austria and Switzerland are seeded as hosts, as will be Greece (if they qualify) as holders.

Tags: Austria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Euro 2008, France, Germany, Greece, Holland, Italy, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey

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