Sunday, October 10, 2004

European World Cup qualifiers, October 9th

The games in the European regional qualifiers for the 2006 World Championship in Germany, have so far not been overly exciting spectacles of marvelous football. However, after yesterday's games, there are some things worth dwelling at:
-Liechtensten got 2-2 against the strong Portuguese side. This is the first time ever Liechtenstein has not lost a qualifier! It is a huge disappointment for Portugal though, but they must be used to it...
-Ireland managed to get a well-deserved 0-0 in Paris, against a French side which is becoming a shadow of its former self.
-Spain finally got a victory in the qualifier, defeating Belgium 2-0, albeit with a lot of help from the referee.
-England deservedly defeated Wales in a somehow boring game. But a gimpse of brilliance came from David Beckham, when he scored the second goal on a wonderful shot.
-An inefficient Italian side lost away to Slovenia. Slovenia is looking good, but the Italians will surely get ahead.
-The Scottish side is looking as weak as ever under Berti Vogts, after losing 0-1 at home to Norway.
-Denmark got a difficult and important away victory in Albania, and is looking to a tuff game against Turkey in Copenhagen next week. Turkey defeated Kasakhstan 4-0.
-Netherlands only got a tie 2-2 in Macedonia, while the Czech Republic defeated Romania, and Finland defeated Armenia. With that, Group 1 is looking as exiting as ever. On wednesday Finland will face the Orange Army.

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