|
France, Spain down to last game to qualify
(Reuters)
Updated: 2005-10-10 09:00
But even if France wins, Switzerland can top the group with a win in Dublin,
depending on goal difference.
"The players are fully aware of this," Domenech said. "They know that if the
Swiss win in Dublin we will have to score four more goals than them to qualify.
But we shouldn't be calculating. I will not be following events in Ireland, it
changes nothing."
Group 7 is another in which nothing has been decided. Spain, which faces San
Marino, is trailing Serbia-Montenegro by two points.
Serbia-Montenegro hosts Bosnia-Herzegovina in Belgrade in a match between two
Balkan countries that were at war 10 years ago. The Serbs will win the group
with a win, but Bosnia can also win the group if it wins and Spain does not.
"We have to play calmly and patiently," said Spain striker Fernando Torres,
who scored both goals in Saturday's 2-0 win at Belgium. "It's not good to be in
a rush."
Spain will play without suspended midfielder Xavi Hernandez and defender
Michel Salgado, while winger Vicente Rodriguez is doubtful with an ankle injury.
In Group 1, the Czech Republic and Romania can still finish second behind the
Netherlands. The Czechs face Finland while Romania has finished its qualifying
campaign.
Ukraine has won Group 2, with Turkey, Denmark and Greece still fighting for
the playoff spot.
Turkey, which reached the semifinals at the 2002 World Cup but failed to
qualify for the 2004 European Championship, can advance with a win at Albania.
Denmark can advance if beats Kazakhstan and Turkey draws, while Greece needs to
beat Georgia and hope Turkey loses and Denmark fails to win.
|
