Euro review - Vogts gives Germany a hand
Finding it hard to keep up with all of the goings-on in Euro 2012 qualifying? Well, here's an 80-word guide to each of the groups not featuring nations from the British Isles to keep you in the loop...
Group A
Berti Vogts outwitting Guus Hiddink with a vastly inferior team was a result few saw coming but the former Scotland boss boosted his native Germany's chances of winning the group ([1.05]) by leading Azerbaijan to a shock 1-0 success over Turkey ([10.0]). The table-toppers stayed 100 per cent with a 3-0 win in Kazakhstan, with Miroslav Klose netting his sixth goal of the campaign. Germany's closest challengers are Austria ([10.0]), who remain unbeaten after a topsy-turvy 4-4 draw in Belgium.
Group D
France ([1.21]) end 2010 in first place after a third successive 2-0 victory, this time against minnows Luxembourg. Belarus ([5.0]), who have struggled to build on their surprise matchday one triumph at the Stade de France, are a point behind after seeing off previously lossless Albania 2-0. Bosnia ([10.0]) are five points off Les Bleus with a game in hand, however a play-off place is probably the best they can hope for after their home defeat to France last month.
Group E
Holland ([1.05]) were convincing winners in the battle of the 100 per cent record holders, seeing off Sweden ([7.0]) 4-1 with the help of two more goals from Klaas-Jan Huntelaar. The Schalke striker is the overall top scorer in qualifying with eight. Hungary ([10.5]) earned their third straight win since flopping in Sweden in their opener, following Friday's 8-0 hammering of San Marino with a late 2-1 triumph in Finland. They're now second, three points behind next opponents Holland.
Group F
Greece enjoyed their first competitive victories since the departure of heroic Euro 2004 coach Otto Rehhagel and climbed above Croatia - who have played a match fewer - by beating struggling Israel ([22.0]) 2-1 last night. Fernando Santos' side remain second favourites to finish first at [2.46], with Croatia still fancied at [1.47], though after drawing with the Euro 2008 quarter-finalists in Zagreb in September, Greece are in a promising position. Overachieving Georgia ([22.0]) remain undefeated after a 1-1 draw in Latvia.
Group H
As is reflected by the betting, Group H is arguably the most open of all because three nations remain serious contenders to win it. Leaders Norway ([3.2]) had the day off yesterday but received no favours from the bottom two, as Iceland lost 3-1 at home to Portugal ([1.98]) and Cyprus fell 2-0 in Denmark ([3.6]). Norway have nine points from three games, Portugal seven from four and Denmark six from three ahead of their pivotal March visit to Oslo.
Which countries do you expect to progress? Tell us below...
Published: 13 Oct 2010
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