World Cup 2010: Checking in on UEFA Qualifying

With the club season over, the summer attention turns to qualifying for next year's World Cup. With most nations just past the halfway mark, the race for Europe's 13 slots in South Africa 2010 is taking shape. Nine group winners qualify automatically, while the top eight runners-up will enter four two-legged playoffs for the remaining slots. Here's a look at how the groups stand.

Group 1: Portugal has been one of the biggest disappointments to date, with just one win in five matches. Portugal trails both Denmark and Hungary by seven points, although Portugal does have a game in-hand on the Hungarians. Sweden, with the fewest games played, is also in the mix. Portugal's September 5 trip to Denmark will be a key fixture.

Group 2: The weakest of the nine groups, Greece and Switzerland top the table, three points ahead of Latvia. The Greeks travel to Switzerland on September 5.

Group 3: Northern Ireland are one of the biggest surprises, topping the table with 13 points, but they've played two more matches than second-place Slovakia, which has 12. Poland (10 points in six matches) will also view for top honors. With only eight points through six matches, the favored Czech Republic has work to do.

Group 4: Germany appear in comfortable position with 16 points in six matches. Russia, with 12 points in five matches, should be able to hold off Finland (seven points, four matches played) for second.

Group 5: European champions Spain are perfect in six matches, the best mark of any of the 53 qualifiers. While Bosnia-Herzegovina trail by six points, they're positioned well to take second, four points ahead of Turkey.


Group 6: English fans are giddy over the 15 points in five matches earned by Fabio Capello's men. Croatia and Urkraine will battle for second, with the Croats hosting a June 6 meeting.

Group 7: Serbia are another surprise group leader, two points ahead of 2006 runners-up France. The Serbs are in good shape with two of their next three at home, including a September 9 visit by Les Blues.

Group 8: Despite a home draw to Ireland in their most recent match, Italy are poised to defend their 2006 title. The Irish have yet to lose in six matches, leading third-place by Bulgaria by five points.

Group 9: Holland join Spain and England as the only sides with unblemished marks, and they have more than double the points of second place Scotland (15-7).

Predicted group winners: Denmark, Switzerland, Slovakia, Germany, Spain, England, France, Italy, Holland
Predicted playoff qualifiers: Portugal, Greece, Poland, Russia, Croatia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Serbia, Ireland

UEFA Euro 2008: Turkey-Croatia Recap

Greatest. Euros. Ever. A tournament that was already earning praise as one of the best ever added another classic chapter today as Turkey advanced to the semifinals with a 3-1 shootout win over Croatia following a 1-1 draw. Turkey tied the game on the last kick of extra time just moments after the Croats had taken the lead.

There was no lack of chances through the first 118 minutes, but only in the dying minutes of extra time did the game come to life. A misadventure by Turkish goalkeeper Rustu Recber allowed Ivan Klasnic to head home the apparent winner in the 119th minute. The veteran Recber, staring in the place of the suspended Volkan Demirel, made a fantastic leaping save in the final moments of regulation off a Darijo Srna free kick to keep the game scoreless, but was destined to be the goat in extra time.

Seconds before the final whistle, Recber sent a desperate ball downfield that landed at the foot Semih Senturk. Beating two Croat defenders to the ball, Senturk blasted the equalizer on the final play of extra time.

The shootout was a fait accompli, with Luka Modric the first of three Croats to miss. When Recber saved Mladen Petric's shot to clinch the match, his transformation from villain to hero was complete in just over 10 minutes.

Kudos to Croatia coach Slaven Bilic who was gracious in defeat. Bilic immediately complained to the fourth official following the equalizer, insisting that the one added minute had elapsed. I was concerned Bilic would lapse into a blame the officials post-game rant, but he was nothing but classy.

For Turkey it's on to the semifinals against Germany on Wednesday in Basel. With Arda Turan among those picking up a yellow card suspension and Nihat Kahveci adding to the Turkish injury woes, the Turks will barely be able to field a full squad. But who would dare bet against Turkey at this point?

UEFA Euro 2008: Croatia-Turkey Preview

Raise your hand if you saw this match-up coming. That's what I thought. The tournament's comeback kids, Turkey, face the surprise winners of Group B, Croatia, in Vienna for the right to meet Germany. There were only three come-from-behind victories in the group stages and Turkey was responsible for two of them, including their 3-2 win over the Czech Republic to clinch a quarterfinal spot. But injuries and suspensions are beginning to catch up with the Turks. Goalkeeper Volkan Demirel picked up a stoppage time red card Sunday and will miss the game. The injury list includes captain Emre Belozoglu, leaving Turkey with only 17 players. Look for Turkey to play an up-tempo style, led by Nihat Kahveci, who scored the final two goals against the Czechs.

A well-rested Croatia side have scored four goals from four different players, although striker Igor Budan has been lost with a knee injury. Coach Slaven Bilic's men have played sound defense, with two clean sheets in three games, defense that will be tested by a relentless Turkish attack.

The venue: Ernst Happel Stadion, Vienna, Austria
The broadcast: ESPN, 2:45 pm ET
The prediction: They won't be lacking in confidence, but the depletion of Turkey's ranks may be too much to overcome. Croatia will face Germany once again after a 2-1 win.

UEFA Euro 2008: Day 10 Recap

Germany 1, Austria 0
Croatia 1, Poland

It wasn't the beautiful advertisement for soccer that yesterday's Turkey-Czech Republic game was, but Germany secured the result they needed with a 1-0 win over Austria to advance to the quarterfinals. It's the first quarterfinal berth for Germany since they won Euro '96. Michael Ballack's rocket free kick n the 49th minute was the game's only goal, with the most intriguing moments coming on the sideline.

Late in the first half, Austria coach Josef Hickersberger and his German counterpart, Joachim Low, were both sent to the stands by referee Manuel Enrique Mejuto Gonzalez. The bickering between the two seemed rather innocent, but off they went, leaving Low to talk shop with German chancellor Angela Merkel.

In Klagenfurt, Ivan Klasnic's 52nd minute tally pushed Croatia to 3-0-0 and ended Poland's tournament, as the Croats won 1-0.

It's on to the quarters for Croatia and Germany. Germany will meet Portugal in Basle Thursday, while Croatia head to Vienna to face Turkey on Friday.

UEFA Euro 2008: Day 10 Previews

Group B wraps up with Croatia, who face Poland, already locked into the top slot. Germany, Austria and the Poles all still have a shot at second.

Austria vs. Germany
The venue: Ernst Happel Stadion, Vienna, Austria
The broadcast: ESPN, 2:45 pm ET
The storyline: Germany only need a draw to ensure qualification for the quarterfinals and a date with Portugal. The Austrians will look for a repeat of their finest moment- an upset of West Germany at the 1978 World Cup that knocked the defending champs out of the tournament. If Austria win, they'll advance, provided they maintain their one-goal differential advantage over Poland.
The prediction: There will be no miracles this time. The Germans will advance with an efficient 2-0 victory.

Croatia vs. Poland
The venue: Worthersee Stadion, Klagenfurt, Austria
The broadcast: ESPN Classic, 2:45 pm ET
The storyline: Poland need a lot to go right in order to advance, but they do have the advantage of playing a Croatia squad that will rest key players. To advance to the quarters, Poland need a win, an Austria win over Germany, while overcoming the goal differential tiebreaker that they currently trail by one versus Austria. That's asking a lot.
The prediction: Poland are fighting mad, feeling they were jobbed by a late penalty against Austria. They'll take out their frustrations with a 2-0 win over Croatia's B team, but it won't be enough to advance.

UEFA Euro 2008: Day 6 Recap

Croatia 2, Germany 1
Austria 1, Poland 1

The calendar may read 2008, but it must have felt like 1998 for Croatia and their fans as they upset Germany 2-1 to seize control of Group B and book a spot in the quarterfinals. In their biggest win since defeating the Germans in the 1998 World Cup quarters, Croatia showed a spark not seen in their opening match win over Austria. A perfectly-timed cross to Darijo Srna put the Croats ahead in the 24th minute for a 1-0 halftime lead. In the 63rd minute, Ivica Olic followed up on a deflected shot off the post for the eventual winner. Although Lukas Podolski halved the lead in the 78th minute, a late red card to Bastian Schweinsteiger ended hopes of a German comeback.

The result significantly impacts the top half of the tournament. The presumed Portugal-Germany semifinal is off; those two sides will most likely meet in the quarters. Portugal will have the advantage not only of an extra day's off, but the ability to rest players as, unlike Germany, their final group game will be meaningless. Croatia, as group winners, await the Czech Republic-Turkey winner.

In the nightcap, Austria earned a stoppage time penalty kick to escape with a 1-1 draw with Poland. The result means both sides retain slim hopes of reaching the quarterfinals. In one respect, a tie was a just ending as both goals were controversial. Poland's 30th minute tally came from Roger Guerreiro. who was in an offsides position when Marek Saganowski's cross entered the box. In second half stoppage time, Mariusz Lewandowski was cited for hauling down Sebastian Proedl on an iffy call. Ivica Vastic blasted home the PK to tie the score.

Group B concludes next Monday. Germany will need only a draw against Austria to secure second in the group. Poland will face Croatia, needing a win to have any hope of reaching the quarters.

UEFA Euro 2008: Day 6 Previews

Group B action continues as opening game winners Croatia and Germany clash, while Austria and Poland look to post their first points.

Croatia vs. Germany
The venue: Worthersee Stadion, Klagenfurt, Austria
The broadcast: ESPN2, 12:00 pm ET
The storyline: Although both teams won their openers, only the Germans impressed in doing so. Having already earned a win, the Croats would view any points taken from the Germans as a bonus.
The prediction: With both sides already a leg up, the result should be an open, entertaining game. Look for the Germans to take a 2-1 win.

Austria vs. Poland
The venue: Ernst Happel Stadion, Vienna, Austria
The broadcast: ESPN2, 2:45 pm ET
The storyline: Austria's spirited debut left the home fans hoping they can avoid an 0-0-3 tournament. Poland's woes against Germany continued Sunday, but a win here puts them back in position to reach the quarterfinals.
The prediction: If Austria are going to get some points, this seems like their best chance. If they improve upon the form they showed in their first game, they can earn a 1-1 draw.

UEFA Euro 2008: Day 2 Recap

Croatia 1, Austria 0
Germany 2, Poland 0

Much like fellow hosts Switzerland the day before, Austria dropped their opener 1-0, doing everything but netting the equalizer in a spirited effort to tie the game. The Austrians are expected to finish fourth in Group B, and after surrendering a fourth-minute PK goal to Croatia's Luka Modric, it appeared they were well on their way. But from there the Croats were underwhelming and Austria pressed forward with surprising enthusiasm. Despite their inability to get a result, Austria has to be more pleased with their opening performance than Croatia.

In the nightcap Germany continued their dominance of Poland with a 2-0 victory courtesy of two goals by Lukas Podolski. Many wondered if Podolski would crack the German starting 11, following a subpar season with Bayern Munich. But the breakout star of the 2006 World Cup was on target for his national side twice, taking a feed from Miroslav Klose to beat an offsides trap in the 20th minute and then cleaning up after Klose's shanked shot fell to his feet in the 72nd minute. Goaltender Jens Lehmann was rarely tested in the German net in posting the clean sheet.

Germany entered as the heavy favorites in Group B and nothing from today's matches alters that status. The Germans will look to book their passage to the knockout round Thursday against Croatia. Poland will face Austria, as both sides hope to stay in the tournament.

And since it's unlikely to happen too many more times, I'll point out that my predicted scores for today's games were both spot on, which makes three in a row including Saturday's Portugal game.

UEFA Euro 2008: Day 2 Previews

Group B action begins with a pair of games from Austria- the co-hosts facing Croatia and Germany against Poland.

Austria vs. Croatia
The venue: Ernst Happel Stadion, Vienna, Austria
The broadcast: ESPN2, 12:00 pm ET
The storyline: Austria are the consensus weakest team in the tournament.  Croatia has designs on advancing past the group stages and will look to this game to fine tune their Eduardo-less offense.
The prediction: This could be a rough couple weeks for Austria. The Croats silence the home fans with a 1-0 win.

Germany vs. Poland
The venue: Worthersee Stadion, Klagenfurt, Austria
The broadcast: ESPN2, 2:45 pm ET
The storyline: The bitter rivalry took an ugly turn this week with a Polish newspaper running a picture of coach Leo Beenhakker holding the severed heads of his German counterpart Joachim Low and captain Michael Ballack under the headline "Leo Give Us Their Heads!" Needless to say the Germans, not known for their sense of humor, were not amused.
The prediction: Poland have never beaten Germany. Don't count on that changing Sunday. Germany win their opener 2-0.

UEFA Euro 2008: Croatia Team Preview

The squad: Croatia looked sharp in qualifying, topping a difficult Group E that included Russia, England and Israel. Despite having already qualified, a 3-2 win at Wembely over England in their final match was their most impressive result. The Croats have not made a deep run in a tournament since finishing third at the 1998 World Cup.

The players: Croatia suffered a major blow when Eduardo da Silva, the team's top scorer, broke his leg during a Premier League game with Arsenal. Without Eduardo, the pressure to provide goals falls on the attacking trio of Hamburg's Ivica Olic, Werder Bremen's Ivan Klasnic and Parma's Igor Budan. Veteran goalie Stipe Pletikosa tends the net.

The schedule: vs. Austria (6/8); vs. Germany (6/12); vs. Poland (6/16)

The prediction: The Croats are the pick to finish behind Germany in Group B. A quarterfinal date with Portugal will end their run.