Poland's EURO 2012 squad remains a mystery. It's still 19 months left to the kick-off but picking the RIGHT players who will represent proudly a 40-million nation in the biggest event after world cup makes me nervous. Franciszek Smuda, our coach since 2009, had it all figured out. Until he became the team's coach (he waited patiently for over a decade for his dream job). Sadly, one year has passed for him to realize that Poland does not have too many quality players after all.
Really?! He needed a full year?!
So Smuda is searching. Searching everywhere inside and outside of Poland for players who will help Poland in its lets-not-bring-shame-to-our-fellow-Poles campaign during June 2012. There is already some success. He found left defender Sebastian Boenisch in Germany (born in Poland; waited for a call from German national coach, which never came, so he picked Poland). He wants Frenchman Damien Perquis (nice first name, huh?), a central defender, and Damien wants to play for Poland, as well. Good. Hopefully next year once he gets a Polish passport. Smuda wanted Laurent Koscielny, who opted to play for France. (Your loss Laurent!). We already have Ludovic Obraniak, a fantastic French midfielder, who still cannot speak Polish. But does it really matter? No! He plays great, he is ours. Yay! (by the way, quite an amusing story: Boenisch does understand Polish but does not speak it. Yet when he is asked a question in Polish, he replies in...English. Educated man, I say, and sensitive, too, not wanting to use that beautiful, poetic near-native language of his).
I say go for Manuel Arboleda, a Columbian central defender who actually speaks good Polish by playing in the Polish league for several years. Smuda is still against it (Arboleda has no blood ties with Poland yet he does want to represent Poland) but he was also against playing Artur Boruc again (world-class goalie, who had some personal problems) and was making fun of out-of-form Ebi Smolarek. Both are already back with the Polish team. If you want to avoid laughter, Mr Smuda, do not be so picky. There are many more not-so-Polish Poles but they might, quite ironically, give Poland a minute of joy in 19 months. Like Obraniak.
That brings us to Polish Poles - you should be ashamed of yourselves! Have some honor! Be proud of representing your country and leave your heart on the field. Like Obraniak. Like Arboleda and Perquis want.
Honestly, my biggest fear is the aftermath. In case of national tragedy (3 group games and out) I do not want to hear, for a millionth time, from coach and players their pitiful excuses. It will make me sick to the core of my body if I hear the usual: "we were not ready...we should have done this and that...we were not aggressive enough..." etc. WE, FANS, DO NOT WANT TO HEAR IT!
Poland is rich, making everyone else jealous, by having fanstastic goalies: Boruc (Fiorentina), Fabianski (Arsenal London), Szczesny (Arsenal London), Kuszczak (Manchester United), Tyton (Roda Kerkrade), Zaluska (Celtic Glasgow) to name only a few great ones. That's already half the team! If only did they have the same talent to play different positions. Unfortunately they do not. Two things we know for certain: (1) we do not have 11 native Poles who can guarantee success; (2) we will not find 11 Brazilian-born magical players who dream about playing for Poland. Where does it leave us? Mr Smuda and we, fans, need to keep looking and keep our options open.
It's nearly impossible, even for me, to predict Poland's starting line-up in 19 months. My best guess, based on available talent, is: Boruc - Piszczek, Arboleda, Perquis, Boenisch - Matuszczyk, Murawski - Blaszczykowski, Obraniak, Grosicki - Jelen.
Jelen, a near-irreplacable forward in Auxerre, is my biggest question mark. Often injured and he has not copied his club performance in national team can be replaced by Lewandowski, who should be there in the first place but has lost his touch lately. I fear he might not recover in time. I hope that I am mistaken but more importantly I hope that a couple of players will have breakout perfomances in the next 19 months and will rise to stardom. Because the above squad does not guarantee a championship. Positions currently taken by Piszczek, Murawski, Grosicki and Jelen are up for grabs. In reality, only Boruc, Blaszczykowski, Obraniak and Matuszczyk seem to be locks.
Whether it is a Polish Pole or not, the Polish team needs a true star who will bring the glory time of 1970s and early 1980s back. A star who will provide example to everyone else that playing for your country is the greatest honor. A star, whose both talent and passion will be contagious and take the entire team to the next level. A championship level.
Thursday, October 28, 2010
Bulls look good!
The opening act is over. Erasing the last 3 minutes of the game, in which powerhouse Bulls gave away a victory by too many sloppy plays, Bulls outplayed Durant's Oklahoma City Thunder in their arena. The so-called ESPN and TNT critics did not give Bulls too much of a chance but it was Rose, Noah, Gibson and company that played superb from the start. Rose's foul trouble limiting him to 31 minutes (28 points!) and 25 more free throws by Thunder help them to steal the game. As disappointing as it obviously was to me, Bulls strong play has showed how good they already are. Without Boozer! Noah, my favorite Bull, was fanstastic with 18 points and 19 rebounds. MONSTER! This Saturday poor pistons will be crashed! Go BULLS!!
Chant of the week: OOOOVVVEEEERRAAAATEEED! (Naturally, miami freaks are!)
Chant of the week: OOOOVVVEEEERRAAAATEEED! (Naturally, miami freaks are!)
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
Chicago BULLS look good. Really good!
First non-soccer theme but life is more than soccer (yeah, I did slap myself immediately for saying that! hurt tiny bit). Bulls and tennis are my other loves so I will squeeze them here from time to time.
It took 12 long years to get over with the Jordan era. Finally, it looks like this season is the start of the new, great Bulls team. Of course, the beginning was 2009 play-offs and one of the best series EVER between Bulls and Celtics that left everyone grasping for air after another and another and another overtime. Two games won by Bulls in double and triple overtime went immediately to ESPN Classic channel! Yes, they were THAT good!
But this season is truly the first time when everyone around the league includes Bulls in contender discussion. Top 4 East teams are: Boston, Chicago, Miami and Orlando (alphabetical order). I expect Bulls to win the title this year. Why not?! Bulls are talented, big, strong, young and versatile. Anything less than conference finals will be a huge disappointment in my view. But I really think we can win it all against... Lakers! If they make it there. Hate lakers but it would be a great story since this is 20th anniversary of Bulls first championship against... Lakers! They would meet again with jackson coaching stupid lakers. No doubt Bulls would win that series. Bulls will be there, the question is: will lakers make it?
My favorive Bull, Joakim Noah, stands tall and is already regarded as top NBA center. To me, the best of course! I love how he plays (coincidentally that is how I play soccer - with passion unmatched by others). An All-star Derrick Rose and this year All-star Noah, they create a fantastic duo that is feared around the NBA. Three Jazzmen: Boozer, Korver and Brewer, compliment this team perfectly. Luol Deng looks reborn; Omer Asik could be a surprise of the season; an entire bench seems to be the deepest in the entire NBA.
Yes, this is going to be a great year!
It took 12 long years to get over with the Jordan era. Finally, it looks like this season is the start of the new, great Bulls team. Of course, the beginning was 2009 play-offs and one of the best series EVER between Bulls and Celtics that left everyone grasping for air after another and another and another overtime. Two games won by Bulls in double and triple overtime went immediately to ESPN Classic channel! Yes, they were THAT good!
But this season is truly the first time when everyone around the league includes Bulls in contender discussion. Top 4 East teams are: Boston, Chicago, Miami and Orlando (alphabetical order). I expect Bulls to win the title this year. Why not?! Bulls are talented, big, strong, young and versatile. Anything less than conference finals will be a huge disappointment in my view. But I really think we can win it all against... Lakers! If they make it there. Hate lakers but it would be a great story since this is 20th anniversary of Bulls first championship against... Lakers! They would meet again with jackson coaching stupid lakers. No doubt Bulls would win that series. Bulls will be there, the question is: will lakers make it?
My favorive Bull, Joakim Noah, stands tall and is already regarded as top NBA center. To me, the best of course! I love how he plays (coincidentally that is how I play soccer - with passion unmatched by others). An All-star Derrick Rose and this year All-star Noah, they create a fantastic duo that is feared around the NBA. Three Jazzmen: Boozer, Korver and Brewer, compliment this team perfectly. Luol Deng looks reborn; Omer Asik could be a surprise of the season; an entire bench seems to be the deepest in the entire NBA.
Yes, this is going to be a great year!
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
EURO 2012 - after OCT 12 games
Quite a Tuesday night in Europe. The most shameful evening happened in Italy. Psychotic Serbian fans, who should be jailed and banned for life from all stadiums, did not allow the teams to play. Tough penalties are certain to follow.
Now, real soccer. Turkey lost to Azerbaijan 0-1 as it did not recover from the big loss to Germany last Friday. A crazy game between Belgium and Austria (4-4)! Ireland and Macedonia missed big penalties. Holland demolished Sweden 4-1 and Montenegro, which I correctly predicted to be on a rise, almost beat England on Wembley! A nation of over 600,000 people against a big-time opponent. David vs Goliath? Only on paper. It becomes clearer that World Cup fiasco was just the beginning. England lacks energy and good players. It will be lucky to finish second.
It is not how big you are but how big you play that counts!
Current tables (games played, wins, draws, losses, goal difference, points):
Group A
1. Germany 4 4 0 0 13-1 12
2. Austria 3 2 1 0 9-4 7
3. Turkey 4 2 0 2 6-6 6
4. Belgium 4 1 1 2 8-8 4
5. Azerbaijan 3 1 0 2 2-9 3
6. Kazakhstan 4 0 0 4 0-10 0
Group B
1. Russia 4 3 0 1 6-3 9
2. Armenia 4 2 1 1 9-4 7
3. Ireland 4 2 1 1 7-5 7
4. Slovakia 4 2 1 1 4-4 7
5. FYR Macedonia 4 1 1 2 4-4 4
6. Andorra 4 0 0 4 1-11 0
Group C
1. Italy 3 2 1 0 7-1 7
2. Slovenia 4 2 1 1 7-3 7
3. Estonia 4 2 0 2 6-5 6
4. Northern Ireland 3 1 2 0 2-1 5
5. Serbia 3 1 1 1 5-4 4
6. Faroe Islandes 5 0 1 4 3-16 1
Group D
1. France 4 3 0 1 6-1 9
2. Belarus 4 2 2 0 3-0 8
3. Albania 4 1 2 1 3-4 5
4. Bosnia Herz 3 1 1 1 4-3 4
5. Romania 3 0 2 1 1-3 2
6. Luxembourg 4 0 1 3 0-6 1
Group E
1. Netherlands 4 4 0 0 12-2 12
2. Hungary 4 3 0 1 12-4 9
3. Sweden 3 2 0 1 9-4 6
4. Moldova 4 2 0 2 5-3 6
5. Finland 3 0 0 3 2-6 0
6. San Marino 4 0 0 4 0-21 0
Group F
1. Greece 4 2 2 0 4-2 8
2. Croatia 3 2 1 0 5-1 7
3. Georgia 4 1 3 0 3-2 6
4. Israel 4 1 1 2 5-5 4
5. Latvia 4 1 1 2 3-5 4
6. Malta 3 0 0 3 1-6 0
Group G
1. Montenegro 4 3 1 0 3-0 10
2. England 3 2 1 0 7-1 7
3. Switzerland 3 1 0 2 5-5 3
4. Bulgaria 3 1 0 2 1-5 3
5. Wales 3 0 0 3 1-6 0
Group H
1. Norway 3 3 0 0 5-2 9
2. Portugal 4 2 1 1 9-7 7
3. Denmark 3 2 0 1 4-3 6
4. Cyprus 3 0 1 2 5-8 1
5. Iceland 3 0 0 3 2-5 0
Group I
1. Spain 3 3 0 0 10-3 9
2. Czech Rep 3 2 0 1 3-1 6
3. Scotland 4 1 1 2 4-5 4
4. Lithuania 3 1 1 1 2-3 4
5. Liechtenstein 3 0 0 3 1-8 0
Now, real soccer. Turkey lost to Azerbaijan 0-1 as it did not recover from the big loss to Germany last Friday. A crazy game between Belgium and Austria (4-4)! Ireland and Macedonia missed big penalties. Holland demolished Sweden 4-1 and Montenegro, which I correctly predicted to be on a rise, almost beat England on Wembley! A nation of over 600,000 people against a big-time opponent. David vs Goliath? Only on paper. It becomes clearer that World Cup fiasco was just the beginning. England lacks energy and good players. It will be lucky to finish second.
It is not how big you are but how big you play that counts!
Current tables (games played, wins, draws, losses, goal difference, points):
Group A
1. Germany 4 4 0 0 13-1 12
2. Austria 3 2 1 0 9-4 7
3. Turkey 4 2 0 2 6-6 6
4. Belgium 4 1 1 2 8-8 4
5. Azerbaijan 3 1 0 2 2-9 3
6. Kazakhstan 4 0 0 4 0-10 0
Group B
1. Russia 4 3 0 1 6-3 9
2. Armenia 4 2 1 1 9-4 7
3. Ireland 4 2 1 1 7-5 7
4. Slovakia 4 2 1 1 4-4 7
5. FYR Macedonia 4 1 1 2 4-4 4
6. Andorra 4 0 0 4 1-11 0
Group C
1. Italy 3 2 1 0 7-1 7
2. Slovenia 4 2 1 1 7-3 7
3. Estonia 4 2 0 2 6-5 6
4. Northern Ireland 3 1 2 0 2-1 5
5. Serbia 3 1 1 1 5-4 4
6. Faroe Islandes 5 0 1 4 3-16 1
Group D
1. France 4 3 0 1 6-1 9
2. Belarus 4 2 2 0 3-0 8
3. Albania 4 1 2 1 3-4 5
4. Bosnia Herz 3 1 1 1 4-3 4
5. Romania 3 0 2 1 1-3 2
6. Luxembourg 4 0 1 3 0-6 1
Group E
1. Netherlands 4 4 0 0 12-2 12
2. Hungary 4 3 0 1 12-4 9
3. Sweden 3 2 0 1 9-4 6
4. Moldova 4 2 0 2 5-3 6
5. Finland 3 0 0 3 2-6 0
6. San Marino 4 0 0 4 0-21 0
Group F
1. Greece 4 2 2 0 4-2 8
2. Croatia 3 2 1 0 5-1 7
3. Georgia 4 1 3 0 3-2 6
4. Israel 4 1 1 2 5-5 4
5. Latvia 4 1 1 2 3-5 4
6. Malta 3 0 0 3 1-6 0
Group G
1. Montenegro 4 3 1 0 3-0 10
2. England 3 2 1 0 7-1 7
3. Switzerland 3 1 0 2 5-5 3
4. Bulgaria 3 1 0 2 1-5 3
5. Wales 3 0 0 3 1-6 0
Group H
1. Norway 3 3 0 0 5-2 9
2. Portugal 4 2 1 1 9-7 7
3. Denmark 3 2 0 1 4-3 6
4. Cyprus 3 0 1 2 5-8 1
5. Iceland 3 0 0 3 2-5 0
Group I
1. Spain 3 3 0 0 10-3 9
2. Czech Rep 3 2 0 1 3-1 6
3. Scotland 4 1 1 2 4-5 4
4. Lithuania 3 1 1 1 2-3 4
5. Liechtenstein 3 0 0 3 1-8 0
Saturday, October 9, 2010
Chicago, 10/9/10 POLAND-USA 2-2
The last touch, so important, is yet to be there just as the energy and effort for the entire 90 minutes however, fast defense-to-offense transition, ball-handling and individual brilliance of blaszczykowski and obraniak are something to look forward to. I like 21-year-old matuszczyk as a defensive midfielder. Another 21-year-old, Kamil Grosicki, should be in a starting lineup. Smolarek as well. And TWO new defenders. Damien Perquis (when he gets his Polish passport) and Kamil Glik should be given a chance. Horrible defense by Poles tonight. Boruc is a world-class goalie, our wings are great, we only need only one defensive midfielder (murawski out, grosicki in). Smolarek on the left. Forward - Jelen or Lewandowski once he returns to form. Polska has nice pieces. Now only fit them all together and keep playing against very good teams. Tuesday in Montreal against Ecuador. That must be a win.
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
EURO 2012 Fixtures - October 2010 - update 10/9/10
Why are the games on Fridays now?! That is so cruel! I am at work in the afternoon and can't watch now! It is not that I already missed wednesdays games (now moved to tuesdays for some reason) and now this! That is one thing I really miss about Europe. Beautiful evenings with lots of soccer games. And good food...Sacrifice must be made!
In bold, updates. Next games are already this coming Tuesday. New tables and analysis shortly after!
Here is the groups situation after September games:
Group A
1. Germany 2 2 0 0 7-1 6 (six points)
2. Turkey 2 2 0 0 6-2 6
3. Austria 1 1 0 0 2-0 3
4. Belgium 2 0 0 2 2-4 0
5. Azerbaijan 1 0 0 1 1-6 0
6. Kazakhstan 2 0 0 2 0-5 0
OCT 8
Kazakhstan - Belgium 0-2
Austria - Azerbaijan 3-0
Germany - Turkey 3-0
The last game will be a beauty and I take Turkey over Germany (yes, can't and won't ever bet for Germany even though they don't play like cyborgs anymore having foreigners on the team). With Hiddink in charge I would expect Turkey to narrowly win this group. If there were pure Germans in the team then no hope for Deutsche. Interesting to see how Real Madrid Mesut Ozil (his family is from northern Turkey; he speaks fluent Turkish) plays against Turkey. The other games have to happen. Or do they?
Big win for Germany (3-0). Ozil, who was booed by Turkish fans throughout the game (that was played in Germany!) scored a goal and now the hatred will multiply by a zilion (not that he cares, I guess). The rematch is in a year and a lot can happen in 12 months. Winning in Istanbul and Germany losing points with Austria playing their little derby can still see Turks atop. But they have to play to their potential. Ozil Khedira and other youngsters are sehr gut.
Group B
1. Ireland 2 2 0 0 4-1 6
2. Slovakia 2 2 0 0 2-0 6
3. Russia 2 1 0 1 2-1 3
4. Armenia 2 0 1 1 2-3 1
5. Macedonia 2 0 1 1 2-3 1
6. Andorra 2 0 0 2 1-5 0
OCT 8
Armenia - Slovakia 3-1
Andorra - Macedonia 0-2
Ireland - Russia 2-3
Ireland must win this group relatively easily with Russia finishing 2nd. Performance of Macedonia will be interesting to follow. They might finish ahead of Slovakia, which will run out of luck this time. WHAT the hell was that?! 0-3 at home to Russia?! Irish found a way to score 2 late goals but way too late.
Group C
1. Italy 2 2 0 0 7-1 6
2. Serbia 2 1 1 0 4-1 4
3. Northern Ireland 1 1 0 0 1-0 3
4. Estonia 2 1 0 1 3-3 3
5. Slovenia 2 0 1 1 1-2 1
6. Faroe Islandes 3 0 0 3 1-10 0
OCT 8
Serbia - Estonia 1-3
Slovenia - Faroe Islandes 5-1
Northern Ireland - Italy 0-0
Although Italy is likely to top the group, unless erratic Serbia surprises again, in 2012 - 3 games and out. That's all folks. Next! Total HUMILIATION for Serbia! Italians end up only with a draw. These teams want to top Group F in terms of "excitement" that they offer to their fans. Ugly.
Group D
1. Albania 2 1 1 0 2-1 4
2. Belarus 2 1 1 0 1-0 4
3. Bosnia Herz. 2 1 0 1 3-2 3
4. France 2 1 0 1 2-1 3
5. Romania 2 0 2 0 1-1 2
6. Luxembourg 2 0 0 2 0-4 0
OCT 8
Luxembourg - Belarus 0-0
Albania - Bosnia Herzegovina 1-1
France - Romania 2-0
Actually picked Bosnia to win this group. Horrible to see them lose to France instead of taking advantage of the frogs' weakness. It still might happen, though. Romania and Belarus will only annoy the two teams. Albanians at home are always dangerous. Quite a humiliation for belarus as well. important points lost by bosnia and frogs luckily won again. This will be a tight race all the way till the end.
Group E
1. Sweden 2 2 0 0 8-0 6
2. Netherlands 2 2 0 0 7-1 6
3. Moldova 2 1 0 1 3-2 3
4. Hungary 2 1 0 1 2-3 3
5. Finland 2 0 0 2 1-4 0
6. San Marino 2 0 0 2 0-11 0
OCT 8
Hungary - San Marino 8-0
Moldova - Netherlands 0-1
Holland all the way. Sweden will take the 2nd comfortably. Sorry crazy-blonde Fins, sorry Balaton lovers. Just get out of the way. Ok, make Swedes suffer a bit. They deserve it. Just because. (Ibra's face does make me want to shoot him with a dart.) Holland wins barely but 3 points are all it matters.
Group F
1. Croatia 2 1 1 0 3-0 4
2. Israel 2 1 1 0 3-1 4
3. Latvia 2 1 0 1 2-3 3
4. Georgia 2 0 2 0 1-1 2
5. Greece 2 0 2 0 1-1 2
6. Malta 2 0 0 2 1-5 0
OCT 8
Georgia - Malta 1-0
Greece - Latvia 1-0
Israel - Croatia 1-2
Give me a break! Boredom! HEEELP! Croatia leading the way of this "fantastic" group. Brazil of Europe? That is ancient history. Greece will have to come 2nd again (emphasis on "will have to"). Israel should play in Asia where it belongs. They would actually qualify to world cup with that weak competition. Just like americans in their ridiculously uncompetitive zone. Shame. Commentary is needless of course. 1. Croatia, 2. Greece.
Group G
1. England 2 2 0 0 7-1 6
2. Montenegro 2 2 0 0 2-0 6
3. Wales 1 0 0 1 0-1 0
4. Switzerland 1 0 0 1 1-3 0
5. Bulgaria 2 0 0 2 0-5 0
OCT 8
Wales - Bulgaria 0-1
Montenegro - Switzerland 1-0
Unfortunately, England. I like Montenegro to stay 2nd. Big game for them against the cheese factory on Friday. Bulgarians and Swiss are so mediocre. Ouch. Nice win for Montenegro! They have a real chance to make the play-offs. Wishing/hoping that they win this group would be an early Christmas present for me. Go right ahead! Make my day!
Group H
1. Norway 2 2 0 0 3-1 6
2. Denmark 1 1 0 0 1-0 3
3. Cyprus 1 0 1 0 4-4 1
4. Portugal 2 0 1 1 4-5 1
5. Iceland 2 0 0 2 1-3 0
OCT 8
Cyprus - Norway 1-2
Portugal - Denmark 3-1
Here comes Denmark again. Norwegians will take Portugal out. Cyprus will surprise till the very end. Maybe even challange for the 2nd spot. Norway might be a winner in a battle between Denmark and Portugal.
Group I
1. Scotland 2 1 1 0 2-1 4
2. Lithuania 2 1 1 0 1-0 4
3. Spain 1 1 0 0 4-0 3
4. Czech Republic 1 0 0 1 0-1 0
5. Liechtenstein 2 0 0 2 1-6 0
OCT 8
Czech Republic - Scotland 1-0
Spain - Lithuania 3-1
Who else? Spaniards will leave the competition so far behind that earth-to-moon distance will look like a bedroom-to-bathroom stretch. Czechs are back! Not the good, old version of the 2004 great team but strong enough to cross the Polish border in 2012. Hey neighbors! Poor Lithuanians but I feel even worse for Scotland! Always high expectations, always getting kicked in the ass. Somebody has to, guys! Focus on your independence movement from London. You have my support. Cheers! Spain and Czech are through.
In bold, updates. Next games are already this coming Tuesday. New tables and analysis shortly after!
Here is the groups situation after September games:
Group A
1. Germany 2 2 0 0 7-1 6 (six points)
2. Turkey 2 2 0 0 6-2 6
3. Austria 1 1 0 0 2-0 3
4. Belgium 2 0 0 2 2-4 0
5. Azerbaijan 1 0 0 1 1-6 0
6. Kazakhstan 2 0 0 2 0-5 0
OCT 8
Kazakhstan - Belgium 0-2
Austria - Azerbaijan 3-0
Germany - Turkey 3-0
The last game will be a beauty and I take Turkey over Germany (yes, can't and won't ever bet for Germany even though they don't play like cyborgs anymore having foreigners on the team). With Hiddink in charge I would expect Turkey to narrowly win this group. If there were pure Germans in the team then no hope for Deutsche. Interesting to see how Real Madrid Mesut Ozil (his family is from northern Turkey; he speaks fluent Turkish) plays against Turkey. The other games have to happen. Or do they?
Big win for Germany (3-0). Ozil, who was booed by Turkish fans throughout the game (that was played in Germany!) scored a goal and now the hatred will multiply by a zilion (not that he cares, I guess). The rematch is in a year and a lot can happen in 12 months. Winning in Istanbul and Germany losing points with Austria playing their little derby can still see Turks atop. But they have to play to their potential. Ozil Khedira and other youngsters are sehr gut.
Group B
1. Ireland 2 2 0 0 4-1 6
2. Slovakia 2 2 0 0 2-0 6
3. Russia 2 1 0 1 2-1 3
4. Armenia 2 0 1 1 2-3 1
5. Macedonia 2 0 1 1 2-3 1
6. Andorra 2 0 0 2 1-5 0
OCT 8
Armenia - Slovakia 3-1
Andorra - Macedonia 0-2
Ireland - Russia 2-3
Ireland must win this group relatively easily with Russia finishing 2nd. Performance of Macedonia will be interesting to follow. They might finish ahead of Slovakia, which will run out of luck this time. WHAT the hell was that?! 0-3 at home to Russia?! Irish found a way to score 2 late goals but way too late.
Group C
1. Italy 2 2 0 0 7-1 6
2. Serbia 2 1 1 0 4-1 4
3. Northern Ireland 1 1 0 0 1-0 3
4. Estonia 2 1 0 1 3-3 3
5. Slovenia 2 0 1 1 1-2 1
6. Faroe Islandes 3 0 0 3 1-10 0
OCT 8
Serbia - Estonia 1-3
Slovenia - Faroe Islandes 5-1
Northern Ireland - Italy 0-0
Although Italy is likely to top the group, unless erratic Serbia surprises again, in 2012 - 3 games and out. That's all folks. Next! Total HUMILIATION for Serbia! Italians end up only with a draw. These teams want to top Group F in terms of "excitement" that they offer to their fans. Ugly.
Group D
1. Albania 2 1 1 0 2-1 4
2. Belarus 2 1 1 0 1-0 4
3. Bosnia Herz. 2 1 0 1 3-2 3
4. France 2 1 0 1 2-1 3
5. Romania 2 0 2 0 1-1 2
6. Luxembourg 2 0 0 2 0-4 0
OCT 8
Luxembourg - Belarus 0-0
Albania - Bosnia Herzegovina 1-1
France - Romania 2-0
Actually picked Bosnia to win this group. Horrible to see them lose to France instead of taking advantage of the frogs' weakness. It still might happen, though. Romania and Belarus will only annoy the two teams. Albanians at home are always dangerous. Quite a humiliation for belarus as well. important points lost by bosnia and frogs luckily won again. This will be a tight race all the way till the end.
Group E
1. Sweden 2 2 0 0 8-0 6
2. Netherlands 2 2 0 0 7-1 6
3. Moldova 2 1 0 1 3-2 3
4. Hungary 2 1 0 1 2-3 3
5. Finland 2 0 0 2 1-4 0
6. San Marino 2 0 0 2 0-11 0
OCT 8
Hungary - San Marino 8-0
Moldova - Netherlands 0-1
Holland all the way. Sweden will take the 2nd comfortably. Sorry crazy-blonde Fins, sorry Balaton lovers. Just get out of the way. Ok, make Swedes suffer a bit. They deserve it. Just because. (Ibra's face does make me want to shoot him with a dart.) Holland wins barely but 3 points are all it matters.
Group F
1. Croatia 2 1 1 0 3-0 4
2. Israel 2 1 1 0 3-1 4
3. Latvia 2 1 0 1 2-3 3
4. Georgia 2 0 2 0 1-1 2
5. Greece 2 0 2 0 1-1 2
6. Malta 2 0 0 2 1-5 0
OCT 8
Georgia - Malta 1-0
Greece - Latvia 1-0
Israel - Croatia 1-2
Give me a break! Boredom! HEEELP! Croatia leading the way of this "fantastic" group. Brazil of Europe? That is ancient history. Greece will have to come 2nd again (emphasis on "will have to"). Israel should play in Asia where it belongs. They would actually qualify to world cup with that weak competition. Just like americans in their ridiculously uncompetitive zone. Shame. Commentary is needless of course. 1. Croatia, 2. Greece.
Group G
1. England 2 2 0 0 7-1 6
2. Montenegro 2 2 0 0 2-0 6
3. Wales 1 0 0 1 0-1 0
4. Switzerland 1 0 0 1 1-3 0
5. Bulgaria 2 0 0 2 0-5 0
OCT 8
Wales - Bulgaria 0-1
Montenegro - Switzerland 1-0
Unfortunately, England. I like Montenegro to stay 2nd. Big game for them against the cheese factory on Friday. Bulgarians and Swiss are so mediocre. Ouch. Nice win for Montenegro! They have a real chance to make the play-offs. Wishing/hoping that they win this group would be an early Christmas present for me. Go right ahead! Make my day!
Group H
1. Norway 2 2 0 0 3-1 6
2. Denmark 1 1 0 0 1-0 3
3. Cyprus 1 0 1 0 4-4 1
4. Portugal 2 0 1 1 4-5 1
5. Iceland 2 0 0 2 1-3 0
OCT 8
Cyprus - Norway 1-2
Portugal - Denmark 3-1
Here comes Denmark again. Norwegians will take Portugal out. Cyprus will surprise till the very end. Maybe even challange for the 2nd spot. Norway might be a winner in a battle between Denmark and Portugal.
Group I
1. Scotland 2 1 1 0 2-1 4
2. Lithuania 2 1 1 0 1-0 4
3. Spain 1 1 0 0 4-0 3
4. Czech Republic 1 0 0 1 0-1 0
5. Liechtenstein 2 0 0 2 1-6 0
OCT 8
Czech Republic - Scotland 1-0
Spain - Lithuania 3-1
Who else? Spaniards will leave the competition so far behind that earth-to-moon distance will look like a bedroom-to-bathroom stretch. Czechs are back! Not the good, old version of the 2004 great team but strong enough to cross the Polish border in 2012. Hey neighbors! Poor Lithuanians but I feel even worse for Scotland! Always high expectations, always getting kicked in the ass. Somebody has to, guys! Focus on your independence movement from London. You have my support. Cheers! Spain and Czech are through.
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