Big qualification week in Europe:
Group 1 : Dead heat, will most likely go down to the Oct. 8th showdown when the Dutch visit Prague. Nederlanders have an easier time of it this week, playing hapless Andorra while Czechs have to play a competent Romanian side.
Group 2 : Ukraine firmly in control and can clinch when they host Turkey on Saturday.
Group 3 : A close group, Saturday's Russia-Portugal and Latvia-Slovakia games should sort out who has staying power.
Group 4 : Either the least competent or most competitive group, with France, Israel, Ireland and Switzerland all in equally good positions to claim the top spot. Unpredictable.
Group 5 : Italy has control of the group, Wednesday's clash between Slovenia and Norway should go a long way in determining who gets the second spot.
Group 6 : England and Poland have games they should win, setting up an October showdown. But with England's incredible inconsistency, who knows what will happen?
Group 7 : Spain hosts Serbia on the 7th, that should settle who will win the group.
Group 8 : Croatia has two away games, but against Malta and Iceland they should be able to sock away the full 6 points. If Sweden trips up against either Bulgaria or Hungary, it should be lights-out for their bid to top the group. If both teams play to form, Oct. 8th in Zagreb will determine the group winner.
AI
