The next round of UEFA EURO 2008T qualifiers
are in August (¿uefa.com)
With one year to go until the UEFA EURO 2008T finals the
14 qualifying positions alongside hosts Austria and Switzerland remain
very much up for grabs with several strong contenders in each group for
the two places on offer. uefa.com rounds up the state of play after this
week's fixtures, with crucial matches to come between August and November.
Group A
Poland missed the chance to go eight points clear at the top after Wednesday
night's 1-0 defeat in Armenia. Portugal and Serbia were not in action
and remain within five points of the leaders with two games in hand. Finland's
defeat of Belgium put them level with that pair, having played a match
extra. Some of those games in hand are used on 22 August, when Poland
watch on as Portugal visit Armenia, Serbia go to Belgium and Finland welcome
Kazakhstan.
Group B
France are still top of the group following their 1-0 defeat of Georgia,
two points ahead of Italy - who they visit next on 8 September having
already won the home leg of their FIFA World Cup final rematch last autumn.
Italy won in Lithuania last night to keep their one-point advantage over
Scotland, victors in the Faroe Islands. Ukraine, not in action, are three
further points back with a game in hand.
Group C
Nikolaos Liberopoulos's last-gasp winner for Greece against bottom side
Moldova last night kept the reigning champions five points ahead at the
top. Bosnia-Herzegovina slotted into second place with their 1-0 victory
against Malta due to their superior head-to-head record over Turkey, who
have a game in hand, and Norway, comfortable winners against Hungary.
Group D
Germany's 2-1 home win against Slovakia was the only game played in the
section and their second success in four days took them five points clear
of the Czech Republic and a point further ahead of the Republic of Ireland.
The top three have all played seven games, as have Slovakia who are four
points adrift of Ireland. Rock-bottom San Marino have a chance for pride
and rare points when they welcome nearest rivals Cyprus on 22 August.
Group E
Just three points separate the top four in this tightest of pools after
leaders Croatia were held 0-0 by visiting Russia. Croatia are joined on
17 points by Israel, who won 2-0 in rainy Andorra but have played a game
more. Russia are two points adrift and England one further back after
their 3-0 win in Estonia - who like Andorra have lost all seven fixtures
ahead of their 22 August showdown. England's September meetings with Israel
and Russia at Wembley have a decisive look.
Group F
Sweden's result against Denmark is still pending after Saturday's abandonment
but they are in first place thanks to a 5-0 victory against Iceland. Spain
are up into the top two after winning in Liechtenstein, ahead of surprise
packages Northern Ireland whose first game under new coach Nigel Worthington
is on 22 August at home to the grand duchy. Denmark also remain in contention
after overcoming Latvia.
Group G
Romania won in Slovenia on Saturday and repeated the trick at home last
night to take the outright lead. Bulgaria's two victories against Belarus
means they are two points behind with the Netherlands one further back,
though they have a game in hand after sitting out this week. Like the
leading pair, they are unbeaten. Albania's double against Luxembourg means
they are in fourth, six points off second place.
