Wednesday 12th October Group 1
Andorra 0-3 Armenia
Finland 0-3 Czech Rep.
Holland 0-0 Macedonia
The Czechs have sealed 2nd place in the group and will take place in the play-offs. Holland finish the group unbeaten.
Group 2
Albania 0-1 Turkey
Greece 1-0 Georgia
Kazakhstan 1-2 Denmark
Greece and Denmark won't be taking part in the World Cup!
This group was always going to end in disappointment for at least one big side, but thanks to Ukraine's fine form, two good teams won't be going to Germany next year.
Group 3
Luxembourg 0-2 Estonia
Portugal 3-0 latvia
Slovakia 0-0 Russia
Slovakia pip Russia tyo 2nd place on GD.
Group4
France 4-0 Cyprus
Ireland 0-0 Switzerland
France were always going to beat Cyprus.. so it was a matter of who would be joining them. Unfortunately, Ireland couldn't score and go out of the World Cup..
Group 5
Belarus 0-1 Norway
Italy 2-1 Moldova
Slovenia 0-3 Scotland
A terrific display from Scotland tonight should give them confidence going into qualification for Euro 2008 (which will of course be underway this time next year!
) The group was already decided though, so all matches were meaningless in terms of the final standings.
Group 6
Austria 2-0 N. Ireland
England 2-1 Poland
Wales 2-0 Azerbaijan
A
much better display from England sees us finish on top of Group 6, which could help us in the bid to be among the top 8 seeds for the Group Phase draw in December.
Group 7
Lithuania 1-1 Belgium
San Marino 0-6 Spain
Serbia & M 1-0 Bosnia H
Serbia have qualified for their first World Cup! .. and have only conceded 1 goal along the way.
I think they'll be tricky opponents next summer.
Spain will have to settle for the play-offs.
Group 8
Hungary 0-0 Croatia
Malta 1-1 Bulgaria
Sweden 3-1 Iceland
Croatia and Sweden have both qualified for the World Cup.
Play-offs:
To be contested by:
Czech Republic
Turkey
Slovakia
Switzerland
Norway
Spain
If the draw is made on rankings, then the Czechs, Spain and Turkey will be the top 3 seeds.