A review of the 2010 World Cup qualifiers across Europe over the last five days as France toil, England impress and Italy struggle, while there is good news for the continental minnows.
Tim Wigmore offers a final reflection on an epic three weeks in Austria and Switzerland as Spain emerged as champions, Turkey stole the hearts of all and Russia proved their weight.
Adrian Mutu’s unfortunate penalty miss means Romania need to beat the Dutch to progress into the last eight - so have they blown their best opportunity to emerge from the Group of Death and stun the football world?
Whilst the Dutch turned it on and the Don got it wrong, Italy still have enough quality to qualify writes Ravin Sampat
Every team has now played one match at the 2008 UEFA European Championships but what can we deduce from the opening eight games?
When the draw was made for Group C, there were huge gasps as France, Italy and the Netherlands were pitted against one another. But Romania’s draw with France means the group’s underdogs are in with a chance of progression.
With an optimistic eye, one could make the case for nine of the 16 teams in this year’s European Championships lifting the trophy on June 29. Emmett Williams offers his predictions -with two firm favourites fighting out the final.
Romania are in the tournament’s ‘group of death’ - so how do their chances of progressing rate? Mike Martin scrutinises Victor Piturca’s squad.