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A preview of this week’s European World Cup qualifying matches
posted by All White Kit All White Kit offers coverage of women's soccer around the world from a fan's perspective. AWK will feature the latest news, analysis, and commentary on the women's game. Match reports, scores, schedules, standings and opinion pieces will be on share. We aim to become a resource for any follower of women's soccer. |
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The boys don’t get to hog all the fun. Some very important games will take place in the next week and a half in the world of women’s soccer. A few European teams could earn their spots in the 2011 FIFA Women’s World Cup (currently only Australia, North Korea, Japan and hosts Germany have officially qualified so far).
Remember: Just four European teams will qualify for the 2011 Women’s World Cup in Germany. The top team from each of the 8 groups will advance to the playoffs which will be held in November. The four winners of the two-legged ties will qualify for the World Cup. The 4 losers will enter yet another play-off where the winner would face a CONCACAF nation for qualification.
Here’s a quick preview of the eight UEFA Qualifying groups:
Group 1
France have clearly been the class of the qualifying so far. Les Bleues have won all 6 matches they have played with (get this) 33 goals for and 0 against. That’s over 5 goals per game. They face Croatia on Sunday who have only managed 1 point so far so expect another rout. Iceland is still mathematically alive and they face both Northern Ireland and Croatia this week.
Group 2
The Netherlands have a narrow 1 point lead over Norway. In probably the tastiest match-up of all, the two teams will meet each other on Saturday. Norway have not yet conceded a goal in qualifying. Holland absolutely need to win this game as Norway will still have a game in hand to play against Belarus. A Dutch loss or draw would likely see them miss out on the World Cup. Norway have never not qualified for a Women’s World Cup, by the way.
Group 3
Undefeated Denmark also have a very slim 1 point lead over Scotland with Greece also somewhat still in it. The Danes will face the Greeks Saturday. Scotland and Denmark will then meet the following week in what will be Denmark’s final game in qualifying.
Group 4
Poland and Hungary are also nearly neck-and-neck. Thank goodness the two teams will be playing each other Saturday. Much like in the Dutch scenario, Hungary will need to take all 3 points to qualify as this will be their final game. Hungary’s hopes will be dashed if they lose to Poland and if Ukraine defeat bottom-feeders Bosnia-Herzegovina. Ukraine and Poland will likely be the final two teams standings and their respective judgment day is August 25.
Group 5
England and Spain are tied on 15 points. They will also be facing each other in Espana. Spain will then face Malta mid-week while England will finish their qualifying campaign in August. England could automatically qualify if they defeat Spain like they did on April 1 in London. However, if Spain win by two clear goals and beat Malta next Thursday, they will qualify. Exciting!
Group 6
Russia and Switzerland are tied at 12 points with Ireland just 3 points behind. The two will face off on Saturday. They will each then have two games to play.
Group 7
Italy could pull away from the pack with a win against Slovenia. They will then meet second-place Finland on Wednesday in a match that could decide the group. If both Finland and Italy beat Portugal and Slovenia respectively they will meet each other for the deciding match next Wednesday. In that game, a win or high-scoring draw would see Italy through while a loss or a 0-0 draw would send Finland to the World Cup.
Group 8
Sweden could also increase their lead in the group. They have been perfect thus far and are 3 points ahead of the Czech Republic. They will face the Czechs this weekend before hosting Azerbaijan next week. Sweden will qualify to the play-offs if they win those two matches.
Most Goals Scored So Far:
11 Adriana Spain
8 Isabell Lehn Herlovsen Norway
8 Margret Lara Vidarsdottir Iceland
8 Sylvia Smit Netherlands
7 Agnieszka Winczo Poland
7 Johanna Rasmussen Denmark
7 Patrizia Panico Italy
Most Assists So Far:
7 Edda Gardarsdottir Iceland
5 Leni Larsen Kaurin Noway
View Original Post at allwhitekit.wordpress.com
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This post is related to the following ongoing stories:
- World Cup
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