I guess everyone's playing tonight, so how is your nation doing right now ?

We're leading 2-0 against Romania, nothing out of the ordinary, except that we need the win in order to stay ahead of the Czechs.

0-0 with the Turks. Not much quality but a lot of passion. Now we have to win Ukraine in order to take the second place and give an extra quilifying game.

AFAIK Greece has to lose tonight in order for us to have ANY chance to qualify - slim as it might be.

EDIT: Misread BOC's post. Turkey - Greece ended 0-0 but that doesn't matter since I was wrong on almost all accounts :D Apparantly, a tie was the best result for us, but that doesn't change the fact that a Danish second place is a long shot at best...

Which sport's World Cup are we talking about here?

HB, if it's not specified it's football (not the american kind). Haven't you learned that already? ;)

Our heroic loosers managed to screw it once again just when I thought that they may actually win. (as always I should say)
Count Bulgaria out of the finals (for the first time in many years, aaargh!!!)
Go Croatia!!! Two thumbs up for you on the finals!!! :thumb:

3-1 against Bulgaria.
Thanks Myth! ;)

0-0 against Montenegro...well, at least we didn't lose..


But our Juju won Roland Garros earlier today. 6-1 6-1 :D

@ Uytuum: Roland Garros final is between a Spanish guy and an Argentinian: I am from Argentina living in Spain, so who I should stay with? jejeje...
As for football, Spain was winning last night 1 to 0 to Lithuania, I don't know how the match ended; as for Argentina, is losing against Ecuador 1 to 0 and is about to end :(

@ Sydax:
I'm sure Uytuun is refering to Justine Henin-Hardenne who won her final 6-1, 6-1. Sure, the final in the men's tournament is between "a Spanish guy and an Argentinian" but there's also a tournament for women at the French Open :rolleyes:

EDIT: Oh, and regarding who you should stay with. Just do like the Brits and root for the underdog - go Tim! (In your case that would be Puerta.)

SCOTLAND WON!!

a great 2-0 win over Moldova, which grealty increases our chance of actually quailifying, Walter Smith has done wonders with the team.

Oh yes, I know, I like to watch tenis and I knew Justine won the game (love to see Mary loosing because I get bored just to watch her serving one game); I just got confused because Uytuun said 'Juju'.
By the way, Argentina lost to Ecuador (2-0) and Spain won to Lithuania (1-0); next wednesday: Argentina-Brasil (Brasilians are going to bring their own water because the scandal of WC90) and Spain-Bosnia.

6-0 win, against the mighty football nation of Malta! We have pretty much the 2nd place secured and need to win away against Croatia to take the 1st place.

Is this the womens tournament were talking about?

@Victor Eremita and Sydax and quite *Off topic*, but anyway, yes I was refering to Justine Henin-Hardenne, her nickname is Juju...


It's the qualifications for the men's WC football we're talking about Tap Dancing Oyster, sorry for the confusion.

Uytuun, I was just pulling your leg. I'm just waiting for September and October (England's last 4 qualifiers)

I almost wrote an answer to Tap Dancing Oyster too, but then I saw he/she is from England and figured it had to be a joke :D


Anyways, we're playing against Albania tonight and we have to win in order to keep any chance of qualifying.

See, cases like that one show us why using smileys is handy. :) (The :) smiley indicates that I'm not being sarcastic and the :p smiley at the end of this sentence indicates that I'm just teasing you with this silly explanation. :p ).

And because we want to stay on topic: Belgium will be needing a miracle to get through, but hey, we're keeping our hopes up. ;)

Well, we're winning again, 4-0 in Helsinki against Finland. It wasn't all that good to watch, but at least we keep winning. 11 matches in a row undefeated now. :D

0-1 defeated by Ukraine. We were better, we had some goal opportunuties but Ukraine scored in their unique opportunity in the whole game. We still have hopes for the second place but now things are more difficult.

@ BOC
that's how they beat us. we gotta admit they are the best team in the group.
by the way we defeated Khazakistan 6-0.

We, too, won a few days ago. :)

Just to have mentioned that much. Not that its of import or anything.
Completely forgot against whom, though. Cant remember the number of goals we scored, it seems... :sosad:

Jeeze, at least I hope we won. Was there even a game at all? :hmm:

@Pacman

I was thrilled to read (couldn't see it, was at a concert of 3 doors down in 013) that van Persie substituted brilliantly. Maybe he will come around after all!

@Misanthrope

I'm not sure that they are the better team. I have watched them in two games and I was not impressed by their perfomance. They have Shevchenko, Voronin and some good midfielders and attackers but their defenders are a source of danger for their goalkeeper, who is also very unstable in corner kicks and crosses. If our players were more careful or lucky, they would have score surely. BTW where the hell is Rebrov? I just realised that the last time I heard his name was two years ago.

Greece was very unlucky.
Had almost 70% ball possession, created many good opportunities, but was unable to capitalise (actually we scored 2 goals both annuled for offside and the first one was very dubious)
Anyway we can still hope ...

@ BOC
Rebrov returned at Dinamo Kiev after the unlucky experience in England and Turkey

They disable javascript where I work so I have difficulty getting the smiles to work, sometimes they seem to work if use colons and brackets.
BTW who are Belgium playing up front these days? Its been so long since I last saw them play - it was someone like Olivera last time I looked.

Dendri, i think you guys played against Russia, 2-2 iirc.

Rebrov couldn't even manage to score in our second league. He's pants now. He used to be ok when he worked with Shevchenko and had him to carry him along.

Pac man, you are right on both accounts.

2:2 :aww:

Argentina 3 - Brasil 1 :shake: :spin: :banana:
We made it to Germany 06!!
Well, Spain had to play 96 minutes against a 9 man team to tie the game to Bulgary.

Correction...that was against Bosnia Herzegovina.

@ BOC & Barmy Army
he couldnt score for 14 games in Turkey so that must tell something about his career

Yep, unfortunately Rebrov was a huge dissapointment. When he and Shevnchenko were playing in Dynamo Kiev, I believed that Rebrov was the better player among them but ...

Did England just lose to Northern Ireland?

First off, we have the Hungary-Sweden game. Intense and close, with nethier team getting a goal.

Until the 92nd minute, where Zlatan Ibrahimovic scores from an impossible angle. Sweden is probably making it to the WC.

Then, we have the Poland/England group. Not only do Poland pick a win, but England LOOSE against North Ireland. As one with Polish blood in my veins, I'm proud. Poland is probably making it to the WC.

Then, we have the Ireland/France/Israel/Switzerland group. Switzerland beats Cyprus and strengthens their lead with 16 points. Unfortunatly, France manages to defeat Ireland and takes the second place with 16 points, too. Israel won, placing them in the third place with 15 points.

This means that group looks like this:
(Games Played, Games Won, Games Tied, Games Lost, Points)
Schweiz 8-4-4-0-16
France 8-4-4-0-16
Israel 9-3-6-0-15
Ireland 8-3-4-1--13
Cyprus 8-1-1-6-4
* 9-0-1-8-1

The remaining games are:
Israel - *
Cyrpus - Ireland
Switzerland - France
---
Ireland - Switzerland
France - Cyprus

Israel will probably win their last game, together with Ireland while the Switzerland - France game ends tie.** In the final round, Ireland will probably win against Switzerland, while France defeats Cyprus. This ends their series this way:***

France 10-5-5-0-20
Ireland 10-5-4-1--19
Israel 10-4-6-0-18
Schweiz 10-4-5-1-17
Cyprus 10-1-1-8-4
* 10-0-1-9-1

So, unfortunatly, France will qualify, but so will probably Ireland, my favourite team of the bunch. ^_^

Now, Italy's group. Italy have always sucked in qualifications,**** but this years, they actually play well.***** Due to Italy's win, and Norway's lost game, Italy now have 5 points to Norway and have almost definatly secured the WC position.

Then, we have Germany, another bloodline country(father's German), and they are directly qualified, so I'll go to Germany in 2006 anyway, even if Poland, Italy, and Sweden fails.

* Last country, some small group of islands called Färöarna in Swedish.

**Can end ethier way, but I guess a tie or a win for Switzerland, cause face it, France sucks.

***My guessings, but I guess that France or Ireland can have radically changed positions. Get more stability, Irishmen, damn it! Most interesting group, by far. =)

****And lately, in the actual competitions, too.

*****Statistically meaning. I still say **** Totti. '

Anyway, see you all in Germany next year. Ciao!

I'm sorry but if we keep that stupid swede (apologies to the swedish nation) England won't be anywhere near Germany next year. He seems to have lost all sense of tactics picks the wrong players; I could go on forever but I am so disappointed with our performances now....

Good job our cricket team can play.

I'm sorry but if we keep that stupid swede (apologies to the swedish nation) England won't be anywhere near Germany next year. He seems to have lost all sense of tactics picks the wrong players; I could go on forever but I am so disappointed with our performances now....

Good job our cricket team can play.Meh, I've been calling Svennis a narcisisitsk korkskalle for years.

I see you managed to miss Scotlands brilliant win against Norway... 2-1 for all those interested, which nows puts Scotland into a very good chance of Qualifying, it all depends on Italy beating Norway and Scotland winning there next matches against Slovenia and Belarus, which is highly probable with a draw against Italy (should have been a win) and a win against Norway.

Meh. In Italy's group, I only care about Italy. No interest for nethier Norway nor Scotland.

N.Ireland 1 - England - 0

In your face Beckham (and England hating Man united fans)! :banana:

Last night was painful, not even the :beer: helped me hide my shame for the dismal performance, although I have to say it was down to a few factors, lack of support, sven, rooney, sven, SVEN! ARGHHH!!!! can you count??? 4-4-2!!! IDIOT!

Netherlands 4 - Andorra 0

I watched the match from the 60th minute and I found it rather dull. Netherlands played with 10 men. I heared the first half was good, but unfortunately I have not seen it.

Van Nistelrooy missed a penalty... :rolleyes:

Sven can't win - if he drops Beckham, Lampard or Gerrard he'll get slated. But I can't see how he play them all in the central midfield. But this is probably the only way he can keep them happy. Rooney is not a wide attacking player - hence his reaction last night.As previously stated 4-4-2 is the key - but someone will be throwing his toys out of the pram for being forced to play out wide.

Can't beleive we manage to beat our C team on Saturday and Loose to the D team on Wednesday. While the B team has won its last two games :p

Too many cooks in the kitchen, there doesnt feel like theres a head chef anymore, he lost the plot when he went to spain, hes just a gimic, not a footballer...

Beckham is still the best passer of the ball in the country - maybe in the world. Last night is all the evidence you need.
But whether or not he should play every game based on this is a different matter. I personally think he has too much influence, the picture of Nancy and Posh in the crowd on Saturday sort of points to that fact. And let face it the guy is not intelligent enough to have a say in running the team, maybe the 4-5-1 was poshs idea (I jest, but she did teach becks how to talk properly after all).

Someone needs to come in and ruffle some feathers, if these guys are not arsed to put 100% effort or do what there told to do, they should be dropped, no matter who they are. The prospect of missing the world cup should be enough to scare some passion into them.
The press don't help at all, they pile loads of pressure on, yet if he had'nt have selected Beckham, Lampard and Gerrard, Ericson would have been slated anyway, even if we won. But how do you play 3 world class midfielders who all want to play down the centre? (Sven is too scared to upset them, I actually beleive he pretty much picks the team the press and players want him to)

There are too many prima donnas, too little passion. A captain who is very good but is overated by himself, the manager and anybody who fancies him (including men) A gifted but overweight gypo upfront who blows his top everytime things don't go his own way, and wastes good team oppurtunities by holding onto to the ball too long (wright-phillips is also an example of this as was Joe Cole).
A striker who even in his mid twenties has his best years behind him, due to injury.
A central Defender who is more interested in his pay packet, fashion and music than playing for his country - showed no loyality to a club that stood by him when he missed a drug test.

I am hankering for the days of Butcher, Reid, Robson etc. who overall had less ability - but showed far more pride at wearing their countries shirt.

Sven needs to make way for an English manager with a bit of passion. Big Sam Allardyce wou;d be my choice, or maybe Psycho.

Owen fluffin' Hargreaves... Who is he??

The recent games under Sven have been embarassing. I can't remember the last time we played well. He needs to go.

Spain 1 - Servia & Montenegro 1; that's mean Spain has to win the 2 final matches and hope to Servia to lose at least 1.

We won Khazakstan 1-2 but our performance was awful. Now we have to win the two remaining games in order to get the second place but if we continue playing like this, we have no chance to beat the Danes in their home. Rehhagel must overcome his stubborness and his loyalty to some of the players who won the Euro 2004 and bring new blood to the team.

Right. Here's a longer evaluation from me about the full European standings:

---

Group 1

Standings:
Netherlands-10-9-1-0-28
Czech Republic-10-8-0-2-24
Romania-11-7-1-3-22
Finland-10-5-1-4-16
Macedonia FYR-11-2-2-7-8
Andorra-11-1-2-8-5
Armenia-11-1-1-9-4

Games:
Finland - Romania
Czech Republic - Netherlands
Andorra - Armenia
Finland - Czech Republic
Netherlands - Macedonia FYR

Predictions:
Finland will probably win against Romania, Czech will defeat Netherlands, and Andorra and Armenia will draw. The final round will end with Finland loosing home against Czech while the Netherlands defeats Macedonia.

Predicted Standings:
Netherlands-12-10-1-1-31
Czech Republic-12-10-0-2-30
Romania-12-7-1-4-22
Finland-12-6-1-5-19
Macedonia FYR-12-2-2-8-8
Andorra-12-1-3-8-6
Armenia-12-1-2-9-5

Final Comments:
This means that Netherlands qualify for the World Cup, where they belong and were missed in 2002, and the Czech will probably qualify as one of the best second placed, depending on the amount of goals they score.

---

Group 2

Standings:
Ukraine-11-7-3-1-24
Turkey-11-5-5-1-20
Greece-10-5-3-2-18
Denmark-10-4-4-2-16
Albania-10-4-0-6-12
Georgia-10-2-3-5-9
Kazakhstan-10-0-0-10-0

Games:
Georgia - Kazakhstan
Ukraine - Albania
Denmark - Greece
Albania - Turkey
Greece - Georgia
Kazakhstan - Denmark

Predictions:
Georgia will beat Kazakhstan, Ukraine will beat Albania, and Denmark will defeat Greece with home advantage. Could also end as a draw, or maybe even a Greece win, but I guess a Danish win. Turkey will then defeat Albania easily, and Greece will sack Georgia with as much ease as Denmark will win over Kazakhstan.

Predicted Standings:
Ukraine-12-8-3-1-27
Turkey-12-6-5-1-23
Denmark-12-6-4-2-22
Greece-12-6-3-3-21
Albania-12-4-0-8-12
Georgia-12-3-3-6-12
Kazakhstan-12-0-0-12-0

Final Comments:
Sorry BOC, and sorry me who enjoy Danish football, but it seems that Ukraine and Turkey will come out on top here. At least Schevshenko will have a chance to finally see a World Cup, which he deserves.

---

Group 3

Standings:
Portugal-10-7-3-0-24
Slovakia-10-5-4-1-19
Russia-10-5-4-1-19
Latvia-11-4-3-4-15
Estonia-10-4-2-4-14
Liechtenstein-11-2-2-7-8
Luxembourg-10-0-0-10-0

Games:
Slovakia - Estonia
Russia - Luxembourg
Portugal - Liechtenstein
Slovakia - Russia
Luxembourg - Estonia
Portugal - Latvia

Predictions:
Portugal will beat Latvia, and Estonia will beat Luxembourg. Slovakia versus Russia will be tough and will end as a draw. Portugal will then defeat Liechtenstein while Russia and Slovakia each scores wins.

Predicted Standings:
Portugal-12-9-3-0-30
Slovakia-12-6-5-1-23
Russia-12-6-5-1-23
Estonia-12-5-2-5-18
Latvia-12-4-3-5-15
Liechtenstein-12-2-2-8-8
Luxembourg-12-0-0-12-0

Final Comments:
Unsuprisingly, Portugal qualifies. More suprisingly, Slovakia manages to sneak a place before the Russians into the extra qualification rounds. Estonia also suprisingly manages to sneak up before Latvia.

---

Group 4

Standings:
Switzerland-8-4-4-0-16
France-8-4-4-0-16
Israel-9-3-6-0-15
Ireland-8-3-4-1--13
Cyprus-8-1-1-6-4
Faroe Islands-9-0-1-8-1

Games:
Israel - Faroe Islands
Cyrpus - Ireland
Switzerland - France
Ireland - Switzerland
France - Cyprus

Predictions:
One of the most interesting groups. Israel will win their last game, together with Ireland while the Switzerland - France game ends tie. In the final round, Ireland will probably win against Switzerland, while France defeats Cyprus.

Predicted Standings:
France-10-5-5-0-20
Ireland-10-5-4-1--19
Israel-10-4-6-0-18
Switzerland-10-4-5-1-17
Cyprus-10-1-1-8-4
Faroe Islands-10-0-1-9-1

Final Comments:
I'm kinda sad that both Switzerland and Israel misses the playoff, but I'm even more mad that France manages to sneak a win. Here's hoping their arrogance will prevent them from qualifying!
---

Group 5

Standings:
Italy-8-5-2-1-17
Norway-8-3-3-2-12
Slovenia-8-3-3-2-12
Scotland-8-2-4-2-10
Belarus-8-1-4-3-7
Moldova-8-1-2-5-5

Games:
Italy - Moldova
Belarus - Norway
Slovenia - Scotland
Italy - Slovenia
Norway - Moldova
Scotland - Belarus

Predictions:
Italy will soundly defeat Moldova while Norway and Scotland scores win for themselves. In the final round, Italy, Norway, and Scotland will each score a win for themselves.

Predicted Standings:
Italy-10-7-2-1-23
Norway-10-5-3-2-18
Scotland-10-4-4-2-16
Slovenia-10-3-3-4-12
Belarus-10-1-4-5-7
Moldova-10-1-2-7-5

Final Comments:
Wohoo! Italy in Germany 2006! Norway seems to be taking the extra qualification place, while Scotland fell while fighting bravely.

---

Group 6

Standings:
Poland-9-8-0-1-24
England-8-6-1-1-19
Austria-8-3-3-2-12
Northern Ireland-8-2-3-3-9
Azerbaijan-9-0-3-6-3
Wales-8-0-2-6-2

Games:
England - Austria
Northern Ireland - Wales
England - Poland
Wales - Azerbaijan
Austria - Northern Ireland

Predictions:
Heh, this group wasn't even really interesting until England's defeat against North Ireland. Anyway; both England and North Ireland will scores wins in the first round. Next round ends with wins for Austria and Wales, while Poland and England ties.

Predicted Standings:
Poland-10-8-1-1-25
England-10-7-2-1-23
Austria-10-4-3-3-15
Northern Ireland-10-3-3-4-12
Wales-10-1-2-7-5
Azerbaijan-10-0-3-7-3

Final Comments:
Interesting. I'm proud to see that Poland will qualify, and I kinda hope that England will take their hooligans with them to the next cup. Wouldn't be the same without them, so good luck in the extra qualifications!

---

Group 7

Standings:
Serbia and Montenegro-8-4-4-0-16
Spain-8-3-5-0-14
Bosnia-Herzegovina-8-3-4-1-13
Belgium-8-3-2-3-11
Lithuania-8-2-3-3-9
San Marino-8-0-0-8-0

Games:
Lithuania - Serbia and Montenegro
Bosnia-Herzegovina - San Marino
Belgium - Spain
Serbia and Montenegro - Bosnia-Herzegovina
San Marino - Spain
Lithuania - Belgium

Predictions:
SaM, Spain, and Bosnia will each take a win in the first round, and SaM, Spain, and Belgium will take wins in the last round.

Predicted Standings:
Serbia and Montenegro-10-6-4-0-22
Spain-10-5-5-0-20
Bosnia-Herzegovina-10-4-4-2-16
Belgium-10-4-2-4-14
Lithuania-10-2-3-5-9
San Marino-10-0-0-10-0

Final Comments:
Belgium played bad this qualification, and if they don't shape up, they won't be seeing action in a long time. Kinda suprising to most that Serbia oes better than Spain, but I kinda saw it miles away.

---

Group 8

Standings:
Sweden-8-7-0-1-21
Croatia-8-6-2-0-20
Hungary-8-4-1-3-13
Bulgaria-8-3-2-3-11
Iceland-9-1-1-7-4
Malta-9-0-2-7-2

Games:
Croatia - Sweden
Bulgaria - Hungary
Hungary - Croatia
Malta - Bulgaria
Sweden - Iceland

Predictions:
A very intense group, especially with Croatia only managing a tie against Malta. Croatia have to face the Swedish football machine at home, and the Swedes are seeking revenge for their only defeat so far, against Croatia in a game where the referees were worse than in the WC 2002. I predict a Swedish win, but you can call that biased. Anyway, Hungary will probably beat Bulgaria at the same time. In the last round, Croatia, Bulgaria, and Sweden will each end up with a win that ends the European main qualification.

Predicted Standings:
Sweden-10-9-0-1-27
Croatia-10-7-2-1-23
Hungary-10-5-1-4-16
Bulgaria-10-4-2-4-14
Iceland-10-1-1-8-4
Malta-10-0-2-8-2

Final Comments:
This series will end like most predicted, but not after an intense qualification. Sweden to the World Cup, and Croatia to the extra qualifications.

---

Extra qualifications:

The two best twos auto-qualify to the World Cup, so the Czech Republic and Turkey will be in the World Cup without any extra qualification. However, these teams have to do the extra qualification for the last three positions:

Slovakia
Ireland
Norway
England
Spain
Croatia

Now, there is no way I can predict how the games will be, but I guess that upon looking at the teams only, England and Spain will definatly take a place each in the World Cup if they don't screw it up. I don't know about the rest of the teams, but I guess that Croatia or Ireland will snitch the last spot, preferably Ireland.

---

So, there you have it, my takes on the European Qualifications. Thoughts?

Spain HAS to win the last two games and HOPE tha SaM LOSE at least one game to qualify and if SaM win those 2 games, Spain even may lose the chance to play the play off (the consolation prize).
By the way, everybody here want to Spain not to qualify for the WC because nobody wants this team, people say players don't worth to be there.

Interesting predictions but you've forgottrn the Fifa fiddles against England. First if we end up in the qualifying section we will draw Spain and if we get through that surprise surprise we'll be in the same group as the dutch AGAIN and is the republic make it they'll be in the same group as well......

We'll still win the group, Strider. Don't worry. We ust need to beat Austria and Poland at home, and we go through as group winners. No problems.

Normally I'd agree, but after the Denmark and N.Ireland games I'm not so sure.
We have the more than enough ability - but not the passion, and maybe not the manager.

Well, we're in the driverseat now. We can even afford to lose to the Czechs, all we need to do is win the homematch against Macedonia, and we win the group. 28 points out of 10 matches....it could be worse. :D

And i'd like to take the opportunity to point and laugh at those lame Belgians who are NOT going to Germany next year. You did the same to us the last time we screwed up. :D

Kick off...
Spain - Belgiun under way and Belgiuns are giving a hard time to Spaniards.

First if we end up in the qualifying section we will draw Spain... That's IF Spain gets to the WC. So far is veeeeery difficult.

Halftime in Prague.

Czech rep- Holland 0-2 :D

I'm not gonna celebrate just yet, we've given away a 2-0 lead against those guys before, and not even all that long ago.

It's fun watching the boys in orange dominate all over the pitch though. Robben is always keeping two or three defenders occupied, and vd Vaart is simply brilliant since he moved to the Bundesliga.

Defeated by Denmark 1-0, now we are definately out.

Nothing changed, final score 0-2, we're officially qualified now. :D And if i'm not mistaken are we the only European nation that went undefeated through the qualifying rounds, correct me if i'm wrong though.

Anyway, time for beer....lots of it :grin:

Anyway, time for beer....lots of it [grinning] Hell yeah, Wij gaan naar Duitsland toe, Wij gaan naar duitsland toe!

I'm definitely going to a few matches, i hope we're playing in Dortmund, they got some kickass beer overthere. :grin:

**** Croatia. :(

:banana: Holland :banana:

GO GO Finland :)

Spain is undefeated yet, just too many ties.

Another crap performance from England, but we got the result and that's all that matters.
I'm still confident we'll beat Poland and go through as group winners. It's a shame it's going down to this though, we really should have walked this group. England always do things the hard way!!

You don't have to beat Poland anymore, thanks to Holland's win in Prague, Poland, England, and Croatia are directly qualified. Wednessday's matchup between England and Poland is one for the books.

And we're out. Not like we didn't see it comming, but still, we have been present since 1982. :(

Congrats to the Dutchies. ;)

Now all that is left is deciding who I'll be rooting for...

@ Uytuun: pick England! Our best player looks like Shrek! :lol:

Well, we won and gained a place in the World Cup. You'd think we'd all be happy, right? Wrong! Everyone on the radio's been *****ing something chronic. O.K., the performance wasn't the best, but we could easily have gone in at half time 3-0 up, with a bit more luck / composure. The referee was having a shocker for the best part of the game, and spoilt it by sending Beckham off for 2 yellow cards that never were. He got the penalty decision right, but bless him, after that he seemed unwilling to give anything. I guess it's because it's not the kind of decision you see given regularly (holding someone back can be difficult to see), so he felt he'd been harsh on Austria, and tried to "level things up".

Still, the second half was a fairly solid defensive performance (some wobbles, but that's inevitable defending a 1-0), and when Campbell was injured Rio came on and looked more awake than he has done for ages. Thank God Sven made the decision to drop him, because everyone could see he needed a kick up the arse. Now both Rio & England will benefit (and Man U too, I expect).

What got me - and only folks in Britain will have seen it - is the doom-mongering from messrs Lineker, Hansen and Shearer (albeit less-so) at half time. The way they were talking, it was like we were 2-0 down! It felt as though anything less than Brazil-worthy football wasn't good enough, and their carping probably did more to engender the feeling of negativity from fans who then besieged the football phone-ins to have a go. I genuinely felt as though they'd been describing an entirely different game.

I compare the attitude of the fans of Scotland and Northern Ireland - both of whom lost - in getting behind their teams whatever the result and genuinely supporting them, and feel ashamed of those who took chunks out of England in spite of them winning. :mad:

If all fans can do is carp, why would the players want to play for them? If they lose, then you can criticise; but to simply barrack them all day is unexcusable, and I hold the BBC to part account for this. Have people forgotten how to enjoy a win over here? Can they take no joy in a decent (if not a patch on NIreland 2 - 3 Wales) match?

Bah! To Hades with the lot of them, and bring back the cricket season, that's what I say! :geezer:

Rant over.

In positive news, Yeovil Town ended league-leader's Swansea's unbeaten run with a goal from "Captain Courageous" Terry Skiverton. Now they've almost made the leap from relegation places to play-offs. Could the unthinkable happen? Could the mighty Glovers acheive an unprecedented 4th promotion in five years? Here's hoping.

On thing's for sure, though - it was a good day for both Terry brothers, wasn't it? ;)

A Yeovil supporter?

I tell you now, if Yeovil get anywhere near the play-offs I'll eat my own balls, they've got bob hope mate ;) . Even my Chesterfield outplayed them and that's saying something!

On topic, I too am tired of everyone getting on Englands back, whatever the situation. Dodgy performance and we can do much better, but we still got the damn win. Shuddup moanin'!!!

if Yeovil get anywhere near the play-offs I'll eat my own ballsCareful BA, we may hold you to that! ;)

Don't pay attention to that crap, it's no different overhere. Not only do the fans and press expect the team to win, if it's not with flashy dominant football, they still find something to cry about, as if that's an easy thing to do these days. There are plenty of "weaker" opponents on paper in Europe since the collapse of the Soviet Union, but these so called weaker opponents all have a tactic based on making it impossible for the other team to pass the ball around or play their own favourite game. There are hardly any easy matches these days. Despite us being qualified early, undefeated and all, there are still people complaining about the way we achieved qualification, some people are never satisfied. Italians have a much better attitude concerning these things....it doesn't matter how you win, or with how many goals, it's the result, and the result only that matters.

@Uytuun: How about Poland? ;)

It's a real surprise to me that we made it but hey, I'm not going to complain.

Argentine made it long time ago, but since I'm living in Spain I have to 'deal' with it, so, most of the people here wants to Spain not to make it because the team is where it is because the players, according to people the coach is a crappy one selecting the people who selected, Raul is burnt out, 'el niño' is a clown, and a long etc.,. Basically, people believes that if Spain got to the WC, will not pass first round so better to avoid the shame of that and eat the shame of not making it, with the hope of a new coach and new players.
As for me, I don't give a dime, I just know Argentine is there :D

Right. Here's another evaluatment from your favorite nerd:

---

Group 1

Standings:
Netherlands-11-10-1-0-31
Romania-12-8-1-3-25
Czech Republic-11-8-0-3-24
Finland-11-5-1-5-16
Macedonia FYR-11-2-2-7-8
Andorra-11-1-2-8-5
Armenia-11-1-1-9-4

Games:
Andorra - Armenia
Finland - Czech Republic
Netherlands - Macedonia FYR

Predictions:
Andorra - Armenia 2-1
Finland - Czech Republic 0-2
Netherlands - Macedonia FYR 2-0

Predicted Standings:
Netherlands-12-11-1-0-34
Czech Republic-12-9-0-3-27
Romania-12-8-1-3-25
Finland-12-5-1-6-16
Macedonia FYR-12-2-2-8-8
Andorra-12-2-2-8-8
Armenia-12-1-1-10-4

Final Comments:
Czech Republic has to do Extra Qualifications due to poor goal advantage, and Netherlands are already free to the World Cup.

---

Group 2

Standings:
Ukraine-12-7-4-1-25
Turkey-11-5-5-1-20
Denmark-11-5-4-2-19
Greece-11-5-3-3-18
Albania-11-4-1-6-13
Georgia-11-2-4-5-10
Kazakhstan-11-0-1-10-1

Games:
Kazakhstan - Denmark
Greece - Georgia
Albania - Turkey

Predictions:
Kazakhstan - Denmark 0-3
Greece - Georgia 2-0
Albania - Turkey 1-1

Predicted Standings:
Ukraine-12-7-4-1-25
Denmark-12-6-4-2-22
Greece-12-6-3-3-21
Turkey-12-5-6-1-21
Albania-12-4-2-6-14
Georgia-12-2-4-6-10
Kazakhstan-12-0-1-11-1

Final Comments:
Ukraine was already clear for the WC, and I think that Albania can shake Turkey, since Turkey have problems in must-win games with mediocre teams. See Latvia 2003. Denmark goes to Extra Qualifications.

---

Group 3

Standings:
Portugal-11-8-3-0-27
Slovakia-11-6-4-1-22
Russia-11-6-4-1-22
Latvia-11-4-3-4-15
Estonia-11-4-2-5-14
Liechtenstein-12-2-2-8-8
Luxembourg-11-0-0-11-0

Games:
Portugal - Latvia
Luxembourg - Estonia
Slovakia - Russia

Predictions:
Portugal - Latvia 3-0
Luxembourg - Estonia 0-2
Slovakia - Russia 1-1

Predicted Standings:
Portugal-12-9-3-0-30
Slovakia-12-6-5-1-23
Russia-12-6-5-1-23
Latvia-12-4-3-5-15
Estonia-12-4-2-6-14
Liechtenstein-12-2-2-8-8
Luxembourg-12-0-0-12-0

Final Comments:
Portugal wins easily against Latvia, even though they are already in the World Cup. Slovakia only needs a tie against Russia to pass, which I think they manage to do, sending Russia home, missing another tournament. However, Slovakia isn't clear just because of that, they still have the Extra Qualifications to do.

---

Group 4

Standings:
Israel-10-4-6-0-18
Switzerland-9-4-5-0-17
France-9-4-5-0-17
Ireland-9-4-4-1-16
Cyprus-9-1-1-7-4
Faroe Islands-10-0-1-9-1

Games:
Ireland - Switzerland
France - Cyprus

Predictions:
Ireland - Switzerland 2-1
France - Cyprus 1-0

Predicted Standings:

France-10-5-5-0-20
Ireland-10-5-4-1-19
Israel-10-4-6-0-18
Switzerland-10-4-5-1-17
Cyprus-10-1-1-8-4
Faroe Islands-10-0-1-9-1

Final Comments:
France will suck as usual, but with their luck, they'll score a goal against inferior Cyprus. Ireland will win due to home advantage over Switzerland, who unfortunatly misses this World Cup. France clear for the Cup, and Ireland goes to Extra Qualifications. France doesn't deserve it though, and I really hope that Cyprus win somehow on Wednesday while Ireland and Switzerland tie, sending the French home.

---

Group 5

Standings:
Italy-9-6-2-1-20
Norway-9-4-3-2-15
Slovenia-9-3-3-3-12
Scotland-9-2-4-3-10
Belarus-9-2-4-3-10
Moldova-9-1-2-6-5

Games:
Italy - Moldova
Slovenia - Scotland
Belarus - Norway

Predictions:
Italy - Moldova 2-0
Slovenia - Scotland 2-2
Belarus - Norway 0-3

Predicted Standings:
Italy-10-7-2-1-23
Norway-10-5-3-2-18
Slovenia-10-3-4-3-13
Scotland-10-2-5-3-11
Belarus-10-2-4-4-10
Moldova-10-1-2-7-5

Final Comments:
Italy are already clear, and sends their reserves who wants to show their skills against little Moldova and takes home another win. Norway easily beat Belarus, and the proud Scotsmen manages a 2-2 result against Slovenia, sending them home as well.

---

Group 6

Standings:
Poland-9-8-0-1-24
England-9-7-1-1-22
Austria-9-3-3-3-12
Northern Ireland-9-2-3-4-9
Wales-9-1-2-6-5
Azerbaijan-9-0-3-6-3

Games:
England - Poland
Austria - Northern Ireland
Wales - Azerbaijan

Predictions:
England - Poland 0-1
Austria - Northern Ireland 2-1
Wales - Azerbaijan 3-0

Predicted Standings:
Poland-10-9-0-1-27
England-10-7-1-2-22
Austria-10-4-3-3-15
Northern Ireland-10-2-3-5-9
Wales-10-2-2-6-8
Azerbaijan-10-0-3-7-3

Final Comments:
Since both England and Poland are already clear for the World Cup, England will do what they usually do when they are clear, take a nap. Poland wants to fight, like they always do, and wins this one with a late goal. Northen Ireland ****ed themselves when they couldn't beat Wales home, and gets to take a rest until the European Qualifications in two years.

---

Group 7

Standings:
Serbia and Montenegro-9-5-4-0-19
Spain-9-4-5-0-17
Bosnia-Herzegovina-9-4-4-1-16
Belgium-9-3-2-4-11
Lithuania-9-2-3-4-9
San Marino-9-0-0-9-0

Games:
Serbia and Montenegro - Bosnia-Herzegovina
Lithuania - Belgium
San Marino - Spain

Predictions:
Serbia and Montenegro - Bosnia-Herzegovina 2-0
Lithuania - Belgium 0-1
San Marino - Spain 0-3

Predicted Standings:
Serbia and Montenegro-10-6-4-0-22
Spain-10-5-5-0-20
Bosnia-Herzegovina-10-4-4-2-16
Belgium-10-4-2-4-14
Lithuania-10-2-3-5-9
San Marino-10-0-0-10-0

Final Comments:
Nothing suprising. If Spain had had Bosnia, Belgium, or SaM in the final round, they would've missed the World Cup. If they want to be a danger in the Cup, or even manage the Extra Qualifications, they really need to shape up.

---

Group 8

Standings:
Croatia-9-7-2-0-23
Sweden-9-7-0-2-21
Bulgaria-9-4-2-3-14
Hungary-9-4-1-4-13
Iceland-9-1-1-7-4
Malta-9-0-2-7-2

Games:
Hungary - Croatia
Malta - Bulgaria
Sweden - Iceland

Predictions:
Hungary - Croatia 1-2
Malta - Bulgaria 0-3
Sweden - Iceland 3-0

Predicted Standings:
Croatia-10-8-2-0-26
Sweden-10-8-0-2-24
Bulgaria-10-5-2-3-17
Hungary-10-4-1-5-13
Iceland-10-1-1-8-4
Malta-10-0-2-8-2

Final Comments:
A bad effort by Sweden against Croatia means that Sweden isn't clear, but in practice, both Sweden and Croatia are, as they have a ten-goal advantage against Czech for the last round. Sweden and Croatia to the World Cup 2006!

---

Extra qualifications:
Czech Republic
Denmark
Slovakia
Ireland
Norway
Spain

I guess that Czech Republic, Denmark, and Ireland will pass to the next stage, sending Norway, Slovakia, and Spain back home.

---

So, there you have it, how I think the European Qualification will end.

England just beat Poland 2-1. A better performance from the lads, that's more like it. Bring on Germany!

Predictions:
Andorra - Armenia 2-1
Finland - Czech Republic 0-2
Netherlands - Macedonia FYR 2-0

Results:
Andorra - Armenia 0-3
Finland - Czech Republic 0-3
Netherlands - Macedonia 0-0

Final Standings:
Netherlands-12-10-2-0-32
Czech Republic-12-9-0-3-27
Romania-12-8-1-3-25
Finland-12-5-1-6-16
Macedonia FYR-12-2-3-7-9
Armenia-12-2-1-9-7
Andorra-12-1-2-9-5

Comments:
Nobody is really suprised about these standings, it's pretty much what everyone betted on before the qualifications.

---

Predictions:
Kazakhstan - Denmark 0-3
Greece - Georgia 2-0
Albania - Turkey 1-1

Results:
Kazakhstan - Denmark 1-2
Greece - Georgia 1-0
Albania - Turkey 0-1

Final Standings:
Ukraine-12-7-4-1-25
Turkey-12-6-5-1-23
Denmark-12-6-4-2-22
Greece-12-6-3-3-21
Albania-12-4-1-7-13
Georgia-12-2-4-6-10
Kazakhstan-12-0-1-11-1

Comments:
Same here, but personally, I would've thought that Denmark would've been able to at least make it to the extra qualifications.

---

Predictions:
Portugal - Latvia 3-0
Luxembourg - Estonia 0-2
Slovakia - Russia 1-1

Results:
Portugal - Latvia 3-0
Luxembourg - Estonia 0-2
Slovakia - Russia 0-0

Final Standings:
Portugal-12-9-3-0-30
Slovakia-12-6-5-1-23
Russia-12-6-5-1-23
Estonia-12-5-2-5-17
Latvia-12-4-3-5-15
Liechtenstein-12-2-2-8-8
Luxembourg-12-0-0-12-0

Comments:
Another unsuprising result, except that Slovakia takes the qualification-spot instead of Russia due to scoring more goals when they faced Russia in Moscow, where it ended 2-2.

---

Predictions:
Ireland - Switzerland 2-1
France - Cyprus 1-0

Results:
Ireland - Switzerland 0-0
France - Cyprus 4-0

Final Standings:
France-10-5-5-0-20
Switzerland-10-4-6-0-18
Israel-10-4-6-0-18
Ireland-10-4-5-1-17
Cyprus-10-1-1-8-4
Faroe Islands-10-0-1-9-1

Comments:
This was the most exciting group of them all, and while I'm sad to not see Ireland or Israel in the World Cup, I'm even more sad to see that France made it.

---

Predictions:
Italy - Moldova 2-0
Slovenia - Scotland 2-2
Belarus - Norway 0-3

Results:
Italy - Moldova 2-1
Slovenia - Scotland 0-3
Belarus - Norway 0-1

Final Standings:
Italy-10-7-2-1-23
Norway-10-5-3-2-18
Scotland-10-3-4-3-13
Slovenia-10-3-3-4-12
Belarus-10-2-4-4-10
Moldova-10-1-2-7-5

Comments:
Nothing suprising here, really. Italy came, and they were qualified even before the last round. The last time that happened was in 1982. What did Italy do in '82? Went home with a World Cup Gold in their bags.

---

Predictions:
England - Poland 0-1
Austria - Northern Ireland 2-1
Wales - Azerbaijan 3-0

Results:
England - Poland 2-1
Austria - Northern Ireland 2-0
Wales - Azerbaijan 2-0

Final Standings:
England-10-8-1-1-25
Poland-10-8-0-2-24
Austria-10-4-3-3-15
Northern Ireland-10-2-3-5-9
Wales-10-2-2-6-8
Azerbaijan-10-0-3-7-3

Comments:
Very exciting group, especially the last game. Glad to see both England and Poland qualify, cause, a World Cup isn't the same without England, and Poland has a special place in my heart.

---

Predictions:
Serbia and Montenegro - Bosnia-Herzegovina 2-0
Lithuania - Belgium 0-1
San Marino - Spain 0-3

Results:
Serbia and Montenegro - Bosnia-Herzegovina 1-0
Lithuania - Belgium 1-1
San Marino - Spain 0-6

Final Standings:
Serbia and Montenegro-10-6-4-0-22
Spain-10-5-5-0-20
Bosnia-Herzegovina-10-4-4-2-16
Belgium-10-3-3-4-12
Lithuania-10-2-4-4-10
San Marino-10-0-0-10-0

Comments:
Spain managed to get to the extra qualifications, so here's hopings that they fail to qualify there. Congratulations to Serbia and Montenegro for qualifying to the cup, I'll be looking forward to your games there.

---

Predictions:
Hungary - Croatia 1-2
Malta - Bulgaria 0-3
Sweden - Iceland 3-0

Results:
Hungary - Croatia 0-0
Malta - Bulgaria 1-1
Sweden - Iceland 3-1

Final Standings:
Croatia-10-7-3-0-24
Sweden-10-8-0-2-24
Bulgaria-10-4-3-3-15
Hungary-10-4-2-4-14
Iceland-10-1-1-8-4
Malta-10-0-3-7-3

Comments:
Croatia takes the first spot due to having won both games against just the Swedes, but Sweden qualify anyway due to being one of the two best runner-ups.

---

Directly Qualified:
Germany
Netherlands
Ukraine
Portugal
France
Italy
England
Serbia and Montenegro
Croatia
Sweden
Poland

---

Extra qualifications:
Czech Republic
Turkey
Slovakia
Switzerland
Norway
Spain

Comments:
Off these, I guess that Norway, Switzerland, and the Czech Republic will qualify for the World Cup, although it's very open, and the only team I'm very sure of is the Czech Republic to qualify.

Gutted about the Irish not making it!

Well, that was one of the most boring matches i've ever seen, i even fell asleep for a while. But i woke up just in time to see something funny, one of the dumbest guys ever during one of those halftime callquizes, and he kept repeating that people really should make an effort, because you could win tickets for next year's EURO 2006. :shake:

Someone please....fire that dumbass before i crap my pants laughing.

What a nobhead!

Unsurprisingly the coach change did not help and we still suck, I actually think our old tactics worked better, atleast then our all out offensive tactics could provide a few early goals even though it would end up with a complete collapse of the defence at some point, not that it would have changed anything we would have still lost to all the even remotely bigger football nations.

All I can say now is that I hope for Marco van Basten that he beats the germans on their own ground once more and bring us to the top again.
Sofar he's doing pretty good.

Holland have a strong team, if a little weak in defence. It is twice as good as ther Germans side though.

It's almost unbelievable but Australia (with Hiddink as coach) has just qualified by winning against uruguay after penalties. I wonder if Hiddink can pull another stunt like last one with South Korea.

Now if Trinidad&Tobago manage to qualify in a few hours we will have 4 :eek: dutch coaches on the WC.

Van Basten (netherlands) Advocaat (south korea) Hiddink (australia) and perhaps Beenhakker (Trinidad&Tobago)

Would be cool with the aussies as world champs :) Just what FIFA want's as a promotion of this magnificient game.

Still I would place my money on Italy, they are up and coming next year.

Congrats to the Socceroos, great show. :)

Haha, Don Leo made it as well with his Trinidad and Tobago.

Good job Aus, I'm glad they got through. One less dirty South American team in the WC is a good thing.

As a side note, I can't see Trinidad and Tobago pulling many trees up in the WC with that display... I think my Chesterfield would have beat them

Wouldn't it be a hoot if Trinidad and Tobago, South Korea, Australia, and Holland all ended up in the same group ? 4 different countries with one thing incommon, their coach is Dutch. :D

Good on the Socceroos for breaking a 32-year drought! Mark Schwarzer is a national hero today; a strange thing, since soccer is probably the number-four football code in the country (but probably leapfrogging one of the rugby codes, now). It was made all the sweeter by comments yesterday from the Uruguayan midfielder, Alvaro Recoba: that Uruguay should qualify for the World Cup simply because it is Uruguay. It's exactly that kind of attitude that fires teams up to achieve what people don't think is possible. The reaction at Federation Square had to be seen to be believed - everyone immobile, eyes fixed on the screen, and when Aloisi nailed that penalty kick, several thousand people just went ape-****.

I'm realistic about our chances in Germany, but hey, at least this time, we're there. Congratulations to the team and to Guus Hiddink, and I only wish Johnny Warren was still around to see this.

Good on the Socceroos for breaking a 32-year drought! Mark Schwarzer is a national hero today; a strange thing, since soccer is probably the number-four football code in the country (but probably leapfrogging one of the rugby codes, now). It was made all the sweeter by comments yesterday from the Uruguayan midfielder, Alvaro Recoba: that Uruguay should qualify for the World Cup simply because it is Uruguay. It's exactly that kind of attitude that fires teams up to achieve what people don't think is possible. The reaction at Federation Square had to be seen to be believed - everyone immobile, eyes fixed on the screen, and when Aloisi nailed that penalty kick, several thousand people just went ape-****.I am happy that the australian team will play here...again. :)

They deserve to be here. FIFA has treated the oceanian qualificant like something that they scraped from their shoes for decades, and the urus were terribly unfair, both on and besides the field.

On the same notice I'm glad the swiss team made it. After the end of the match several swiss players were assaulted by turkish players and security guards. Really sad.

Simply disgusting what the Turks did, they should be banned from all international stages for at least two decades. England has been banned for much less in the past. The players are sour losers and behaved like common hooligans, and the fans' behaviour during the Swiss anthem is all the more reason not to let them join the EU.

Well, that last bit was a bit much perhaps, but i'm just glad those cavemen are not invited to the party next year. :D

Turkis fans are the worst in the world, but everyone still talks about England fans being bad. We're no saints but we're not a scratch on those bunch of wankers.

If it was England we'd be fined, banned and all sorts. FIFA would throw thw book at us. Even Spanish and Italian fans are worse than we are!!

The English are okay, they just can't hold their liquor, that's all. :D

Tell me that we we meet up for a drink! :D
I can drink I'll have you know :thumb: .

FIFA has treated the oceanian qualificant like something that they scraped from their shoes for decades, and the urus were terribly unfair, both on and besides the field.True, but to be fair, Oceania has never been in the same league as just about any other automatic-qualifier area. I feel North America is over-represented, but honestly, if we can't beat the fifth-placed team from Asia or South America, I think our case for direct qualification is a bit more tenuous.

Still, very glad to have stuffed it up the militant and arrogant Uruguayans, but I'm sympathetic to the rest. After all, I know all too well how it feels when your team doesn't qualify for the biggest sporting event on the planet - I'd never seen Australia make it until last night.

I've been what some would call "an alcoholic" for years in a row, when i was still working at the Heineken breweries. I drank between 20 and 40 bottles every friggin day, until it got to the point that beer didn't even make me tipsy anymore. I can drink lager all day long and you won't notice a damn thing. It sounds like i'm proud of that, but it's exactly the opposite. I'm proud i stopped doing that before it would have gotten me killed. :)

I still am pretty much immune for beer though, it won't get me drunk. Matter of fact, i haven't been pissdunk since i was 25 for as far as i can recollect any outbursts. :D And it's not like i haven't tried.

Simply disgusting what the Turks did, they should be banned from all international stages for at least two decades. England has been banned for much less in the past. The players are sour losers and behaved like common hooligans, and the fans' behaviour during the Swiss anthem is all the more reason not to let them join the EU.

Well, that last bit was a bit much perhaps, but i'm just glad those cavemen are not invited to the party next year. &

Turkis fans are the worst in the world, but everyone still talks about England fans being bad. We're no saints but we're not a scratch on those bunch of wankers.
Well, breeding will tell.
But arent we relieved to be spared their visit! :D

This is all the more precious cause some assorted Turkish groups here proclaimed that the WM 2006 would be their gig. Seeing as how they feel that Germany is already their turf...

This is the sweetest revenge! :D Cookies for the Swiss.

Australia has been in the WC before.
Congratulations to them for making for the World Cup! :banana:

I always thought unfair how FIFA decided that Australia always have to play against 'who-couldn't-make-it-but-we-give-you-another-shot', I remember that Argentina had to play with them because we couldn't make it through 'normal' qualifiaction system. IMHO, every continent have to have its own representatives. Who decide that Oceania have to have one team, Africa two, etc.,?

That would probably mean that Europe would lose another spot or two, which will never happen as long as there's a European FIFA president sitting on the throne. Don't get me wrong, i too think Australia hasn't been treated as an equal member in the past, but then again....if you're not good enough to beat #4 of South America, then hy even bother going to the final rounds ? I don't even consider Uruguay as one of the traditional topnations. Sure, they have been worldchampions twice, but that's ancient history. Right now the only thing they are good at, is foul play and cheating. I'm glad that a team like that isn't going to be in the WC next year.

The qualification in some parts of the world is a joke. I mean, T&T playing off against Bahrain about a spot in the WC, thats insane, none of the teams has anything to get in the WC except humiliation. At the same time there are fifteen teams in Europe who are vastly better than those two combined.

As for Australia, if it had been in any other way than it is now the Aussies would get a free spot every single WC simply because the "competetion" in their group is non-existant. I mean, St. Lucia, Solomon islands and so on?

Bad enough that the US and Mexico already get free spots in each World Cup, shouldnt give the Aussies one too. In the North American group only the winner should be automtically qualified, both the second and third should have to play some play off. Same with Asia really. The very fact that South Korea and Japan qualifies every single time is because they are immensly better than their competition to such an extent that there is no competition and every WC there is some poor team from the Middle east or thereabouts who gets to the WC and go home after three losses and 1-15 in goal difference. More spots to Europe or Africa or even both and less to Asia (which seems to be everything east of Turkey) and North America.

As for Australia, if it had been in any other way than it is now the Aussies would get a free spot every single WC simply because the "competetion" in their group is non-existant. I mean, St. Lucia, Solomon islands and so on?this is why they will play in the asian zone next time.

As for Australia, if it had been in any other way than it is now the Aussies would get a free spot every single WC simply because the "competetion" in their group is non-existant. Hey!!! What about New Zealand?? We are home to the official FIFA Oceania Player of the 20th Century after all.

Hey!!! What about New Zealand?? We are home to the official FIFA Oceania Player of the 20th Century after all.Wynton Rufer? :)

When was the last time New Zeeland came out on top of the oceanic qualification round?

NZ have been at the World Cup finals more recently than Australia have (until they appear at the next World Cup, that is). We were at Madrid in 1982. Australia's last World Cup was in 1974, if I remember correctly.

NZ have been at the World Cup finals more recently than Australia have (until they appear at the next World Cup, that is). We were at Madrid in 1982. Australia's last World Cup was in 1974, if I remember correctly.Sure, but I didn't meant the actual participation at the World Cup.

How often they made it to the qualification matches against asian or south american teams?

Well, the both of you stink then. Competing once every other 50 years or something isn't going to be remembered by a lot of people. :p :D

Well, the both of you stink then. Competing once every other 50 years or something isn't going to be remembered by a lot of peopleYeah, not like some other teams which happened to win a big tourney only once (due to a bad referee in the semi finals) and came out as a runner-up at best the other times. :)

It's makes winning all the more exciting when it doesn't happen every day.

Awww Fabius...are you still holding a grudge for losing against holland in the semis in 1988 ? You're not going to claim to you were clearly the better side, are you ? Because the image i remember from that game is pretty much a one way street type of game, one that could only result in one way, a deserved victory for us. :p The game prior to Germany against Ireland....now THAT was a bad referee, the goal from Kieft was made in an obvious offside position, everyone could see it, except the referee. If he had been paying better attention, you would have played against Ireland, and would have probably won your own tournament. That didn't happen, and you lost against a superior opponent, which became clear in the finals against Russia. :p

Just think of it as payback, for the worldcup you stole from us in 1974. That was also a one way street type of match, but you had Lady Luck on your side that day. We had to wait 14 friggin years for our revenge, and that it finally came on German soil was all the more satisfying. :D

But we'll see how it ends next year in the finals, Holland-Germany is a matchup i can live with. :D

Competing once every other 50 years or something isn't going to be remembered by a lot of people.Actually, it's the opposite. If you compete once in a blue moon, you appreciate and remember it a heck of a lot better. Like when Australia whipped the US in the men's 4x100m Relay at the Olympics - an event the US had never lost before, and when one of their swimmers said they'd "smash [us] like guitars!" The fact that all four Aussie swimmers got out of the pool and started playing air guitar after the win just cemented the image further.

It's makes winning all the more exciting when it doesn't happen every day. Absolutely. Given that soccer rates a distant fifth (at best) in the hierarchy of sports in Australia, this is a fairly big deal. Plus, after what happened four years ago and comments in recent days, it's nice to stick it to Uruguay.

That didn't happen, and you lost against a superior opponent, which became clear in the finals against Russia. Granted. Although visual superiority is not all.

But the penalty for holland was nevertheless a wrong decision. Koehler played the ball.

I'll give you that, but don't tell me that Klinnsman was fouled, because that one looked like a 100% schwalbe as well. Personally i think the referee gave us a penalty in return, to make up for his earlier mistake. :D