Possible opponents for England

[MC Prussian]

As of right now, England is not directly qualified for the World Championships in Germany in 2006. Only the two best number 2's will be awarded an automatic starting spot, with the other 6 teams competing in a playoff tournament with an away and home game.

GROUP 1

Holland 28 pts out of 10 games, almost there

Czech Republic, 25 points out of 10 games, hot candidates for the number 2 spot and an automatic qualification

Romania, 22 points out of 11 games, minimal chances for the 2nd spot

MY TIP: Holland and the Czech Republic automatically qualified

GROUP 2

Ukraine, 24 points out of 11 games, qualified

Turkey, 20 points out of 11 games, might not be enough

Greece, 18 points out of 10 games, may reach the number 2 spot

Denmark, 16 points out of 10 games, slow start but massively improved, slight chances for the number 2 spot

MY TIP: Denmark will turn the table upside down and go to Germany through the playoffs

GROUP 3

Portugal, 24 points out of 10 games, almost there

Slovakia, 19 points out of 10 games, battling it out with Russia

Russia, 19 points out of 10 games, battling it out with Slovakia

MY TIP: Portugal (Slovakia losing in the playoffs)

GROUP 4

Switzerland, 16 points out of 8 games, will end up 1st or 2nd in the group

France, 16 points out of 8 games, will end up 1st or 2nd in the group

Israel, 15 points out of 9 games, minimal chances for the number 2 spot

Ireland, 13 points out of 8 games, chances have diminished after the loss against France

MY TIP: Switzerland and France (going through the playoffs)

GROUP 5

Italy, 17 points out of 8 games, almost there

Norway, 12 points out of 8 games, shaky

Slovenia, 12 points out of 8 games, shaky

Scotland, 10 points out of 8 games, on a roll

Belarus, 7 points out of 8 games, could mathematically still advance

MY TIP: Only Italy here, Scotland will lose in the playoffs

GROUP 6

Poland, 24 points out of 9 matches, almost there

England, 19 points out of 8 matches, good chances in the playoffs

MY TIP: Poland and England (through the playoffs)

GROUP 7

Serbia, 16 points out of 8 games, best position, but may falter

Spain, 14 points out of 8 games, have gotten better

Bosnia, 13 points out of 8 games, a surprise, but that's it

Belgium, 10 points out of 8 games, it's too late

MY TIP: Spain will do it (Serbia will be knocked out of the playoffs)

GROUP 8

Sweden, 21 points out of 8 games, almost there

Croatia, 20 points out of 8 games, almost there

MY TIP: Both will be automatically qualified

Ignoring my predictions, Team England could end up facing Turkey, Greece, Denmark,Slovakia, Russia, Switzerland, France, Israel, Ireland, Norway, Slovenia, Scotland, Belarus, Serbia, Spain, Bosnia or Belgium in the playoffs.

Which team would you like to play (and win ) against then?

[Hitesh]

Scotland or Belgium or Belarus

Any of those teams England should beat. I know they lost yesterday but i reckon they will fix the problems for the next games.

[Darth Fox]

On current form and I know I may sound biased being a Scot I personally would love England in playoffs. Walter Smith has installed passion in us Scots again which England lack severely. Overhyped and Overpaid is best way to describe England. Sven never changes things and only thing he's passionate about is sh@gging around.

[Fox 4 Life]

I agree, but I think this will serve as a right kick up the ass and we will go on to beat Austria and Poland!

[Sparky]

id fancy beating scotland , belerus , switzerland and many more of those, if we NEED a win we seem to pull it off , SVEN OUT!

[Alexikokopops]

If the group has one more team in in (meaning that they've played two more matches) don't they ignore points from the last two matches when working out the highest second place?

Or at least work out a system so it's fair on the teams which have played less games.

[shen]

GROUP 2

Ukraine, 24 points out of 11 games, qualified

Turkey, 20 points out of 11 games, might not be enough

Greece, 18 points out of 10 games, may reach the number 2 spot

Denmark, 16 points out of 10 games, slow start but massively improved, slight chances for the number 2 spot

MY TIP: Denmark will turn the table upside down and go to Germany through the playoffs

Would love to see that happen, but it requires Turkey not to win against Albania away in their final game, which is highly unlikely...

[TrickyTrev]

I reckon we will beat Austria and Poland and thus win the group.