The qualifying stages of Euro 2016 conclude this week.
For all but the five-team Group I, there are two matches left for each nation.
The top two in each group progress to the finals in France, as does the best
third placed team. The other eight third placed finishers will play-off for
four remaining spots.
GROUP A
With the finals expanded to
24 teams, Netherlands were surely certain to progress? The reality has been
rather different. Czech Republic and Iceland have already secured the two
automatic qualification spots from this group, and Netherlands’ hopes of
claiming a play-off spot will end if Turkey secure four points from their last
two matches - they will then finish third and there will be nothing the Dutch
can do. In any case, two wins for the Netherlands are imperative, firstly
against Kazakhstan (away) and then at home to the
Czechs.
GROUP B
Wales and Belgium will surely
secure their places in the top two as both play Andorra in this series of
matches. Israel can finish third by claiming four points from matches against
Cyprus at home and Belgium away. Anything less could open the door for Bosnia,
and Cyprus are mathematically still in contention.
GROUP C
Spain, Slovakia and Ukraine
will be the top three, but in what order will they finish? With a home match
against Belarus and a trip to Macedonia, Slovakia should be confident of
automatic qualification, which would leave Ukraine in the play-off place. Spain
need only two points from two matches to qualify automatically.
GROUP D
Four teams remain in
contention here. None has qualified so far, although Germany are just one point
away from securing their place in the finals. Poland will qualify with four
points from a trip to Scotland and a home match with Ireland, or with just
three points from the Ireland match. Unless Poland slip up, Ireland will be
forced to settle for third. Scotland’s hopes of sneaking into third now appear
remote.
GROUP E
While England fans will be
asking if their side can complete the group with a 100% record, Switzerland
will be hoping they can claim second by taking four points from San Marino at
home and Estonia away. Anything less could let in Slovenia, who play Lithuania
at home and San Marino away. Estonia, currently fourth, could get into the
play-offs with two wins.
GROUP F
Northern Ireland top this
group, where again no one has qualified so far. Their place in France will be
secure if they can get two points from Greece at home and/or Finland away. If
Hungary can beat the Faroes at home and then Greece away, then they could knock
Romania out of second place. Finland still have an outside chance of third.
GROUP G
Austria are the clear
leaders, but Sweden are just two points behind second placed Russia, with
Montenegro only one behind Sweden. All three could yet finish second, and
Russia host Montenegro in the final round.
GROUP H
Leaders Italy are just one
point away from qualification. Croatia will be hoping to close a two point gap
on second placed Norway, and with the Scandinavian side travelling to Italy in
the last match (after a (home match with Malta), they may fancy their chances.
Croatia play Bulgaria at home and then Malta away.
GROUP I
In the only five team group, Portugal, Denmark and Albania will finish as the top three, but in what
order? Portugal need just one point from the Denmark match, or a win over
Serbia, to be certain of qualification. Albania, with two to play, will qualify
with a maximum points haul from Serbia at home and Armenia away. Denmark have
only the one match left and may need to win to avoid the play-offs.
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