Official World Cup 2010 Qualifying Thread
 

Group 1 - Portugal, Sweden, Denmark, Hungary, Albania, Malta

Group 2 - Greece, Israel, Switzerland, Moldova, Latvia, Luxembourg

Group 3 - Czech Republic, Poland, Northern Ireland, Slovakia, Slovenia, San Marino

Group 4 - Germany, Russia, Finland, Wales, Azerbaijan, Liechtenstein

Group 5 - Spain, Turkey, Belgium, Bosnia, Armenia, Estonia

Group 6 - Croatia, England, Ukraine, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Andorra

Group 7 - France, Romania, Serbia, Lithuania, Austria, Faroe Islands

Group 8 - Italy, Bulgaria, Ireland, Cyprus, Georgia, Montenegro

Group 9 - Holland, Scotland, Norway, Macedonia, Iceland


England get drawn with Croatia lol.


I think one thread suffices for all 2010 qualifying.

Re: Official World Cup 2010 Qualifying Thread
 

Is it still expected to take place in South Africa, or are they too far behind in getting the infrastructure built?

Re: Official World Cup 2010 Qualifying Thread
 

I'm pretty happy with Scotland's draw. Holland haven't been anything special, and hopefully they won't improve much in the next year or so. There were much stronger teams than Norway in pot 3 that I'm glad we've avoided (especially Serbia), and I'm fairly confident of taking 12 points from our fixtures with Iceland and Macedonia.

A couple of years from now I hope I'm not looking back at this post wondering how I could be so over-confident.

Re: Official World Cup 2010 Qualifying Thread
 

Group 2 is insanely weak.

Re: Official World Cup 2010 Qualifying Thread
 

check out asian group 3:

North Korea, Jordan, Turkmenistan, South Korea

Re: Official World Cup 2010 Qualifying Thread
 

so how many teams get in? how many games do they play?

Re: Official World Cup 2010 Qualifying Thread
 

[ QUOTE ]
Group 1 - Portugal, Sweden, Denmark, Hungary, Albania, Malta

Group 2 - Greece, Israel, Switzerland, Moldova, Latvia, Luxembourg

Group 3 - Czech Republic, Poland, Northern Ireland, Slovakia, Slovenia, San Marino

Group 4 - Germany, Russia, Finland, Wales, Azerbaijan, Liechtenstein

Group 5 - Spain, Turkey, Belgium, Bosnia, Armenia, Estonia

Group 6 - Croatia, England, Ukraine, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Andorra

Group 7 - France, Romania, Serbia, Lithuania, Austria, Faroe Islands

Group 8 - Italy, Bulgaria, Ireland, Cyprus, Georgia, Montenegro

Group 9 - Holland, Scotland, Norway, Macedonia, Iceland


England get drawn with Croatia lol.


I think one thread suffices for all 2010 qualifying.

[/ QUOTE ]

Thoughts:

Group 1: 3 competitive teams in this. Will likely come down to who does better in the battle of Scandy to see who gets 2nd.

Group 2: I expect this to be real, real close between the top 3 seeds who are almost equal in quality. Good chance for Israel to make it to the WC.

Group 3: Czech's shoudl win this one easy. Next 3 competing for P2.

Group 4: See group 3

Group 5: Gonna be a tough Spain/Turkey battle for 1st. Belgium will do real good to get 2nd.

Group 6: Bulldozer! As good a group as England could have hoped for. 3 absolute turkeys......... Ukraine and Croatia are both good sides tho so it's gonna be 2 easy. 3 way battle here.

Group 7: I fancy Serbia to grab 2nd.

Group 8: Should be Italy then ROI

Group 9: Good group. Looks like Scotland/Norway battle for 2nd,but Holland are no sure thing.

Re: Official World Cup 2010 Qualifying Thread
 

[ QUOTE ]
so how many teams get in? how many games do they play?

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"The format for the European qualifying competition for the FIFA World Cup 2010™ was decided upon and will consist of eight groups of six teams, and one group of five. The nine group winners will qualify directly and the best eight runners-up will play home and away play-off matches for the remaining four places. The nine groups containing the 53 UEFA member associations will be competing for the 13 places made available to Europe in the final tournament."

Re: Official World Cup 2010 Qualifying Thread
 

Anyone know how they calculate the "best 8" of the 9 runners up? It can't just be on points, since that would be unfair against group 9. Is it something like how many points they get v 1st, 3rd and 4th in the group?

Not that it matters since we'll win our group... but just in case.

Re: Official World Cup 2010 Qualifying Thread
 

[ QUOTE ]
Anyone know how they calculate the "best 8" of the 9 runners up? It can't just be on points, since that would be unfair against group 9. Is it something like how many points they get v 1st, 3rd and 4th in the group?

Not that it matters since we'll win our group... but just in case.

[/ QUOTE ]

It's best v 1,3,4 & 5.