Czech Republic- Belarus EURO 2004 qualification match

[soccerbob]

I normally stay away from these qualifiers as I think the only thing tougher to handicap are the friendlies. I think this game is a complete mismatch. The Czech Republic has been very focused on their road to next year's European Championships. They are tied with Holland but are up +5 in goal difference over the Dutch. The 2 squads meet next week but the Czechs know they can't slip up at all in matches like this where they are clearly the better team. The motivation to win the group is huge as the second place team must play a home and home agaist another second place team from another group in November to qualify for EURO 2004.

The Czechs have outscored their opponents 14-1 and have been very strong. This is a very good team led by the marvelous Pavel Nedved and the very dangerous Jan Koller. This squad plays well together and I think they can do some damage in the European Championships. Belarus are in shambles. They have been outscored 15-2 and have no hope to advance. A few players from the squad have basically quit because the team isn't going anywhere. anywhere. I see a 3 or 4 goal win here by the Czech Republic.

Czech Republic -1 and -1 1/2 -108

 

[fredd]

Excellent review and results-

Thanks -

 

[GreenDoberman]

Czechs have looked marvelous in qualifying and could upset and win their group. I 'll have to side with the czechs here even though I 'd very much like to see Holland in the Euro Tourn. They may have to get in through the back door.

 

[acw]

GreenDoberman,

You make my day and the Suharto family.
Probably Czech-Holland is the most interesting match and yet is only being broadcast in Asia in Indonesia (RCTI). No Thai cable no Hong Kong cable.

I am huge on the Czechs by the way!

 

[GreenDoberman]

Yeab, I can go watch the England-Lichtenstein match at my local pub, but even the British guys I've talked to aren't that fired up about that one.
I believe the Brits are 5 goal faves.

On teh other hand, they are already WAY fired up about that Turkey match next month. They might even get a tent for the parking lot for a packed house.

Would love to see Czech-Holland match as well.