I really like the qualifying breakdown for Euro 2008. Having only 7 groups is making things much more interesting.
Usually it is pretty clear who the top two teams in the UEFA qualifying groups are and we only have one or two surprises along the way. Such as Holland missing out on the 2002 WC or Latvia sneaking into Euro 2004.
But this current round of qualfying is going to leave some perennial powers on the outside looking in during the summer of 2008.
Group A sees Poland and Portugal sitting 4th and 5th in the group.
Group B has the champion and runner-up from the 2006 WC, not to mention a third team in the Ukraine that also competed in Germany. But look who leads the group right now? Scotland. Two of these four teams will be left at home.
Group E is another group where things could go a little haywire. Croatia, England, Russia and Israel could finish in any order in my opinion. Especially with the way England is looking right now.
I know qualifying is only 1/3 of the way over and things may end up sorting themselves out. But for the time being I like the fact it doesn't look like a mere formality in most of these groups.
Usually it is pretty clear who the top two teams in the UEFA qualifying groups are and we only have one or two surprises along the way. Such as Holland missing out on the 2002 WC or Latvia sneaking into Euro 2004.
But this current round of qualfying is going to leave some perennial powers on the outside looking in during the summer of 2008.
Group A sees Poland and Portugal sitting 4th and 5th in the group.
Group B has the champion and runner-up from the 2006 WC, not to mention a third team in the Ukraine that also competed in Germany. But look who leads the group right now? Scotland. Two of these four teams will be left at home.
Group E is another group where things could go a little haywire. Croatia, England, Russia and Israel could finish in any order in my opinion. Especially with the way England is looking right now.
I know qualifying is only 1/3 of the way over and things may end up sorting themselves out. But for the time being I like the fact it doesn't look like a mere formality in most of these groups.
