Posted on September 7th, 2008 by JJ Duque
The European World Cup Qualifiers for the 2010 South Africa World Cup Tournament were held in various parts of Europe over the weekend.
In Group 1, Albania drew with Sweden 0-0, Hungary drew with Denmark 0-0 and Portugal defeated Malta 4-0.
In Group 2, Latvia defeated Moldova 2-1, Israel drew with Switzerland 2-2, and Greece defeated Luxembourg 3-0.
In Group 3, Poland drew with Slovenia 1-1, Slovakia defeated Northern Ireland 2-1, while San Marino and the Czech Republic have yet to play their first European World Cup qualifying match.
In Group 4, Germany defeated Liechtenstein 6-0, Wales defeated Azerbaijan 1-0, while Russia and Finland have yet to play their first European World Cup qualifying match.
In Group 5, Turkey defeated Armenia 2-0, Belgium defeated Estonia 3-2, and Spain defeated Bosnia Herzegova 1-0.
In Group 6, Ukraine defeated Belarus 1-0, England defeated Andorra 2-0, and Croatia defeated Kazakhstan 3-0.
In Group 7, Lithuania defeated Romania 3-0, Serbia defated Faroe Islands 2-0, Austria defeated France 3-1.
In Group 8, Republic of Ireland defated Georgia 2-1, Italy defeated Cyprus 2-1, Bulgaria drew with Montenegro 2-2.
In Group 9, Macedonia defeated Scotland 1-0, Norway drew with Iceland 2-2, while the Netherlands have yet to play their first European World Cup qualifying match.
Eight groups of six teams and one group of five will contest the European qualifying competition for the 2010 FIFA World Cup to be held in South Africa. The nine group-winners will qualify directly, while the highest ranked eight of the nine second-placed teams will contest home and away play-off matches for the remaining four places.
The favorites to qualify directly by becoming group winners in the 2010 World Cup European Qualifiers are Portugal for Group 1, Greece for Group 2, Czech Republic for Group 3, Germany for Group 4, Spain for Group 5, England for Group 6, France for Group 7, Italy for Group 8 and Netherlands for Group 9.
Posted on July 1st, 2008 by JJ Duque
A lone goal by Spanish striker Fernando Torres was the only goal that mattered as Spain ousted Germany 1-0 to bring them their first major title in 44 years. Spain are now the Euro 2008 Champions, and look forward to carry that streak into the coming 2010 World Cup to be held in South Africa.
Spain’s head coach Luis Aragones will look to retire as the team’s manager, but it seems that Spain might maintain its key players like Fernando Torres, Sergio Ramos, Andres Iniesta, David Villa and Xavi Hernandez in their quest to become the 2010 World Cup Champions.
Oddsmakers consider Spain as one of the big favorites to win the 2010 World Cup. Of course, other considerations include South American teams like Brazil and Argentina.
