Germany close, France and Italy sweat
Updated: 2007-10-12 10:10
LONDON - Germany can secure their place at Euro 2008 on Saturday with a draw in Ireland although many of Europe's other elite nations are still biting their fingernails as the qualification journey nears its end.
Twice former champions France are sweating in third place in Group B after their shock home defeat by surprise leaders Scotland last month and travel to the rocky shores of the Faroe Islands knowing they can afford no more slip-ups.
"We've a gun pointed at our head. That's good, it's going to motivate us," coach Raymond Domenech said this week. "It's like playing Cup matches -- we lose a game, we're out. We know that."
Italy, second in the group but also vulnerable, have left out veteran strikers Alessandro Del Piero and Filippo Inzaghi for their home clash against Georgia.
Spain have made heavy weather of Group F and face a tricky trip to Denmark who are desperate for a victory to keep their hopes alive. Reliable Sweden top that group and victory in Liechtenstein would almost seal a place in the finals.
Rejuvenated England are at home to Estonia on Saturday in Group E confident of opening up a five-point gap on third-placed Russia who they face in Moscow on Wednesday.
Leaders Croatia host Israel and can clinch a place in the finals if they win and Russia do not beat England.
Romania and Netherlands, neck and neck at the top of Group G, clash in Bucharest with the Dutch missing injured goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar who pulled out of the squad on Thursday.
European champions Greece and Turkey face crucial ties in Group C with the Greeks, who host Bosnia, top on 19 points. The Turks can move into second above Norway with a point in Moldova.
FIRST TIME
In Group A, second-placed Finland can boost their hopes of qualifying for the first time with victory in Belgium while leaders Poland host Kazakhstan.
On paper France should gather six points from their matches in the Faroes on Saturday and at home to Lithuania on Wednesday, but under-pressure coach Domenech has no margin for error.
He will be without striker Louis Saha with a knee injury.
Scotland, who have not qualified for a major tournament since the 1998 World Cup, have their destiny in their own hands.
Victories at home to fourth-placed Ukraine on Saturday and in Georgia on Wednesday plus a home draw against Italy in their final game would be enough to qualify.
Spain face three huge matches if they are to take their place in Switzerland and Austria next year, starting with the trip to Denmark on Saturday.
They also have to play Sweden at home in November and finish by hosting Northern Ireland who also still have a chance of qualifying themselves.
"They are a very difficult team to play against, especially as they've got home advantage," Spain fullback Joan Capdevila said this week as he looked ahead to facing Denmark.
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