Euro 2008 qualifiers
The Gambling Gods have a way of bringing us down to Earth and I was
definitely hit by a thunderbolt last night as W.B.A. ran out 4-0 winners
at Coventry. The game was not helped by the sending off of Mifsud of
Coventry for an elbow which apparently was noted by the fourth official!
Anyway on to todays subject and as there is little in the way of betting
opportunities to get me interested in thought I'd take a look at the
forthcoming Euro 2008 qualifiers and give my personal opinion on which two
teams from each group will join co hosts Switzerland and Austria in next
Summers finals.
So today I will cover Groups A to D and tomorrow the other 3 Qualifying
groups.
Group A is a 4 way fight with Poland, Portugal, Serbia and Finland all
fighting for the 2 qualifying places Poland will get through if they beat
Belgium at the weekend and this is what I expect leaving the other three
to fight for the one remaining position. With all 3 playing home games
against group minnows at the weekend this outcome will not be resolved
till the final match day when Serbia are home to a Polish side that have
already qualified and Portugal host Finland.
I fully expect Portugal to win both the Armenia and Finland game and join
Poland in the finals.
Group A Qualifiers: Poland and Portugal.
Group B was this qualifying competitions "group of death" and includes
Italy, France, Ukraine and Scotland.
Scotland have been the surprise team without a doubt and Walter Smith and
Alex McLeish have between them formed a group of players that have gelled
into a fine team, as with most Scottish sides however they have made life
hard for themselves by losing their last match in the group 2-0 in Georgia
and with Italy playing their game in hand at home to the Faroe Islands on
Saturday next Wednesdays game is a vital match.
France have a tricky tie in the Ukraine on the same night and the scenario
is if Scotland win they are through if they draw then the Ukraine would
have to beat France to ensure their qualification along with Italy.
Italian football is again in crisis and a subject left for another day but
a recurring theme is that when events like this happen the national team
come to the fore. In 1982 and 2006 when the country was involved in one of
many match fixing scandals they won the World Cup and it seem adversity
brings out the best in them.
So much depends on how the Scots can bounce back from the Georgia upset,
as Italy know a draw will be good enough the Scots will have to take the
game to them which I am sure they will do in Spades give the fanatical
support they will have behind them.
I expect the French to get something from their trip to the Ukraine
against a very disappointing team so this would mean Scotland have to beat
Italy to progress. My heart says Scotland but I am putting my professional
head on and saying Italy to qualify in one game where I will sit back and
enjoy the match and not get involved financially.
Group B: France and Italy (though I hope I'm wrong!)
Group C for me was the weakest of all the groups containing Greece the
reigning champions, Norway, Turkey, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Hungary, Moldova
and Malta.
Greece are assured of a top 2 finish leaving Norway and Turkey to fight
for the remaining place from this group.
The crunch game is on Saturday when Norway entertain Turkey in what
virtually is the decider and win for Norway would see them through with a
game to go a draw or a Turkey win would see the group go to the last match
day where Norway face Malta and Turkey host Bosnia-Herzegovina.
My money is on Norway as they know in reality Turkey have to win Saturdays
encounter (which I feel they won't) as the Norwegians are unlikely to slip
up away to Malta in their final match.
Group C: Greece and Norway.
Issues are resolved in Group D where the German and the Czech Republic
have both qualified comfortably with 2 games to go and all the other teams
have to play for is FIFA coefficient points in a hope of getting a better
seeding for the forthcoming 1010 World Cup draw.
So there are my tips for qualification to next Summers football feast and
tomorrow I will give my thoughts on the three other groups and in
particular the one involving England.
Silverfox.
