Euro 2012 Qualifying, Underway: Netherlands, Spain, England Impress In Opening Matches

Call it a self-inflicted wound: France's home loss to Belarus on Friday. This is the result you get from a federation that's elected to continue picking at the wounds of the World Cup. Rather than move-on - or, if not move-on, make the best of a bad situation - the FFF has taken spotlights, microscopes and a scalpels to South Africa, exposed every abnormality to every scrutiny, prolonged a treatment that could have been outpatient.  They've used chemo when aspirin was needed, and as a result they've selected a B/B+ team for this week's matches, excluding a number of their best players through suspension or a less transparent omission.

In doing that, France has amplified the chances that their team does not make Euro 2012. For some people, that's an unfathomable thought, but Les Bleus just lost at home to Belarus. We may want to start considering the possibilities - possibilities which, in light of the performances at Euro 2008 and South Africa 2010, are more grounded than reactionary. Bosnia and Herzegovina may be a better team. I have a hard time thinking either Romania or Belarus are truly better, but if France is going to play games for a few matches, the gap between them and Belarus and Romania gets bridged quickly.  This tournament is only ten games long.  That is a small sample size, France.

It's also time France came to grips with their place in the soccer world. There are no Zidanes in the player pool. Where's a Thuram? Are there Desaillys and Blancs? Does the midfield have a Vieira? I ask because there seems to be two problems. First, France is not as talented as they were during their Ubuntu era.  No shame in that, because every country goes through their highs and lows.  Unfortunately, this downturn is compounded by France's second major problem: their federation is acting as if the talent with which they won the World Cup is inherent to their country.

It's not. While the tales of Clarefontaine are woven we can't overlook the fact that Benzema is faltering. Gourcuff is faltering. There are no elite central defenders.  And who's the next Henry? Who's the next Thuram?  Who's the next Zidane?

Unless you're a federation that can confidently answer those questions, you can not be flippant in how your treat your impact players. But France has misjudged the situation, so while Patrice Evra and Jeremy Toulalan and Franck Ribery sit suspended - while your program sits fractured - France lose at home to Belarus.

Are we solving the problem, or contributing to it? I'm starting to think this is going to be a major downturn.

Goals:

86' - Sergeu Kislyak

Discipline:

14' - Jan Tigorev (Yellow)

49' - Vitali Rodinov (Yellow)

Lineups:

France: Lloris, Sagna, Clichy, Mexes, Rami, Malouda, Diaby, M'Vila, Menez (Saha 69', Gameiro 80')), Remy (Valbuena 34'), Hoarau

Belarus: Zhevnov, Omelyanchuk, Tigorev, Yurevich, Shitov, Martynovich, A. Hleb, Kulchiy, Kutuzov (Kislyak 74'), Rodionov (Kornilenko 85'), V. Hleb (Putilo 89')

Goals

1

Senijad Ibrici, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Sergey Kislyak, Belarus
Gjergj Muzaka, Albania
Miralem Pjanic, Bosnia and Herzegovia
Bogdan Stancu, Romania
Edin Zdeko, Bosnia and Herzegovina

Speculation Georgia was one qualifying cycle away from being interesting proved conservative when Alexander Iashvili put the Georgians ahead in the third minute, a lead the visitors would keep for over an hour. It was enough time to convince onlookers that the speculated descent of Greece was continuing, while the young players Georgia's set to incorporate were paying premature benefits.

As is apt to happen in soccer, the story changed with one goal, a 72nd minute equalizer from Nikolaos Spiropoulos that would preserve a point for the former champions. Now the explaining begins.

Was this is the hint of a change?  Georgia's ascent mirroring Greece's descent, manifest in a 90 minute allegory? Or, was this a favored team adjusting to its first competitive match with a new coach?

For a hint, it's instructive to note that Greece got their goal shortly after bringing on two of their young players: Sotiris Ninis and Kostas Mitroglou.

Goals:

3' - Alexander Iashvili

72' - Nikolaos Spiropoulos

Discipline:

37' - Georgios Samaras (Yellow)

44' - Ucha Lobzhanidze (Yellow)

81' - Zurab Khizanishvili (Yellow)

83' - Avram Papadopoulos (Yellow)

Lineups:

Greece: Sifakis, Seitaridis (Miroglou 71'), Papadopoulos,  Torosidis, Papastathopoulos, Spiropoulos, Karagounis, Katsouranis, Samaras (Ninis 59'), Gekas, Salpingidis

Georgia: Revishvili, Kobiashvili, Khizanishvili, Kaladze, Amisulashvili, Asatiani, Kvirkvelia, Lobzhanidze, Gogua (Merehasvili 87'), Iashvili (Ananidze 54'), Gelashvili (Dvalishvili 60')

Goals

3

Yossi Benayoun, Israel

1

Alexander Iashvili, Georgia
Ivica Olic, Croatia
Jamie Pace, Malta
Mladen Petric, Croatia
Nikoloas Spiropoulos, Greece
Darijo Srna, Croatia

Corry Evans's 70th minute goal gave Northern Ireland a 1-0 victory in Maribor, defeating a Slovenia team that finished above them in World Cup qualifying.

Slovenia and Northern Ireland were drawn into the same group for World Cup 2010 qualifying.  Though the teams would split their two matches, the home team willing each time, Slovenia finished second in group and went on to qualify for the World Cup.  Northern Ireland would finish five points back.

Evans' goal was a huge step toward reversing that finish, giving Northern Ireland an unplanned three road points that, depending on how group-mates perform in Maribor, could put them in contention for one of the top two spots.

Evans, the younger brother of Manchester United teammate Jonny Evans, came off the bench in the 67th minute, replacing David Healy. Three minutes later Evans was on the end of a Craig Cathcart cross, finishing for his first international goal.

Goals:

70' - Corry Evans 1

Discipline:

25' - David Healy

47' - Chris Brunt

83' - Kyle Lafferty

Lineups:

Slovenia: Handanovic, Cesar, Jokic, Mrecko, Mavric, Koren, Kirm (Dedic 74'), Radosavljevic, Birse, Novakovic (Ilicic 74'), Ljubijankic (Matavz 88')

Northern Ireland: Taylor, Craigan, Hughes, Baird, McAuley, Cathcart, David, Brunt (Gorman 89'), McCann (Lafferty 67'), Feeney, Healy (67')

Goals

1

Leonardo Bonucci, Italy
Antonio Cassano, Italy
Joan Simun Edmundsson, Faroe Islands
Corry Evans, Northern Ireland
Danko Lazokic, Serbia
Raio Piiroja, Estonia
Kaimar Saag, Estonia
Dejan Stankovic, Serbia
Nikola Zigic, Serbia
Sergei Zenjov, Estonia

Belgium showed the potential of their touted group of young players, threatening Germany a number of times before Miroslav Klose struck, putting the Germans ahead in the 51st minute, all the World Cup semifinalists would need to beat their upstart hosts, 1-0.

Belgium had first half chances through Romelo Lukaku, Marouane Fellaini, Jan Vertonghen and Moussa Dembele, but strong play from Germany goalkeeper Manuel Neuer kept the visitors even.

Six minutes after half-time, Thomas Müller set up Miroslav Klose for an easy finish past Logan Bailly, giving the favorites the lead.

Germany would have the best chance at the next goal, with Bailly saving a Müller chance near the 70th minute.

Ultimately, Germany got three points and moved into second in Group A, trailing Turkey on goal difference.

Goals:

51' - Miroslav Klose 1

Discipline:

15' - Vincent Kompany (Yellow)

45' - Bastian Schweinsteiger (Yellow)

90' - Cacau (Yellow)

Lineups:

Belgium: Bailly, Van Buyten, Vermaelen, Vertonghen, Alderweirdld, Simons (Vossen 83'), Fellaini, Hazard (Benteke 73'), Dembele, Lukaku (Defour 73')

Germany: Neuer, Jansen (Westermann 46'), Lahm, Mertesacker, Badstuber, Schweinsteiger, Özil (Cacau), Khedira, Klose, Podolski (Kroos 70'), Müller

Goals

1

Hamit Altintop, Turkey
Nihat Kahveci, Turkey
Miroslav Klose, Germany
Ada Turan, Turkey

An easy day for the holders saw Spain score two goals within 26 minutes en route to a 4-0 victory at Liechtenstein, with the day's big story the brace by striker Fernando Torres.

Torres struggled through a goalless World Cup that saw him eventually lose his spot in Spain's starting lineup. Speculation held Torres was dealing with a knee injury, but on Friday Torres showed his continued improvement with goals in the 18th and 54th minutes.

David Villa had a goal in the 26th minute, and former Valencia teammate David Silva, who had come on for Torres, scored in the 62nd minute.

Goals:

18' - Fernando Torres 1

26' - David Villa 1

54' - Fernando Torres 2

62' - David Silva 1

Discipline:

40' - David Hasler

Lineups:

Liechtenstein: Jehle, Mar. Stocklasa, Oehri (Vogt 46'), Mic. Stocklasa, Eberle (Rechsteiner 45'), Burmeier, Polverino, Wieser (Buchel 82'), Frick, Erne, Hasler

Spain: Casillas, Marchena, Ramos, Piqué, Capdevila, Iniesta (Pedro 65'), Alonso, Xavi (Fábregas 46'), Busquets, Torres (Silva 58'), Villa

Goals

2

Fernando Torres, Spain

1

David Silva, Spain
David Villa, Spain

Starting in place of the injured Robin van Persie, new Schalke striker Klass-Jan Huntelaar scored the second, third, and fourth goals of the Netherlands' 5-0 demolition of perpetual minnows, San Marino.

The Netherlands opened the scoring with a Dirk Kuyt penalty kick in the 16th minute.  Huntelaar added the second in the 38th minute, sending the match to half 2-0.  Two move from Huntelaar after break preceded Ruud van Nistelrooy's 34th international goal.

The plus-five goal difference launch the Netherlands to the top of Group E, ahead of fellow Friday winners Sweden and Moldova.

Goals:

16' - Dirk Kuyt (pk) 1

38' - Klaas-Jan Huntelaar 1

48' - Klaas-Jan Huntelaar 2

67' - Klaas-Jan Huntelaar 3

90' - Ruud van Nistelrooy 1

Discipline:

15' - Davide Simoncini (Yellow)

35' - Hedwiges Maduro (Yellow)

44 - Alessandro Della Valle (Yellow)

45'  - Maicol Berretti (Yellow)

64' - Simone Bacciocchi (Yellow)

Lineups:

San Marino: Simoncini, Vitaiolo, Valle (Bacciocchi 61'), Simoncini, Valentini, Berretti, Vannucci, Mazza, Marani (Gasperoni 76'), Selva, Vitaioli (Ciacci 83')

Netherlands: Stekelenberg, Mathijsen, Maduro, Pieters, van der Wiel, Sneijder, van Bommel, de Jong (van der Vaart 46'), Kuyt (van Nistelrooy 68'), Elia (Afellay 59'), Huntelaar

Goals

3

Klaas-Jan Huntelaar, Netherlands

2

Pontus Wernbloom, Sweden

1

Anatolij Doros, Moldova
Dirk Kuyt, Netherlands
Alexandru Suvorov, Moldova
Ruud van Nistelrooy, Netherlands

Filip Holosko stole two extra points for Slovakia, posting a stoppage time goal against visiting Macedonia to earn 1-0 victory on Friday.

The goal came with Slovakia up a man after Vance Sikov's sending-off, having earned two yellow cards. To that point, Slovakia had the better of the chances, but the advantage was not so great as to begrudge the visitors their point.

Macedonia's best chances came through Ivan Trickovski's strike in the 18th minute and a shot from Goran Pandev in the 71st minute.  

After Sikov was dismissed in the 85th minute, Slovakia coach Vladimir Weiss subbed-off defender Peter Pekarik for attacker Jakub Sylvestr, the move paying-off with Holosko's goal.

Goals:

90' - Filip Holosko 1

Discipline:

54' -  Filip Despotovski (Yellow)

66' - Vlad Sikov (Yellow)

77' - Edin Nuredinoski (Yellow)

81' - Martin Skrtel (Yellow)

85' - Vlad Sikov (Second Yellow)

Lineups:

Slovakia:  Mucha, Skrtel, Kubocan, Pekarik (Sylvestr 90'), Salata (Kucka 76'), Spara, Hamsik, Strba, Stoch, Weiss (Jendrisek 61'), Holosko

Macedonia: Nuredinoski, Mitreski, Noveski, Sikov, Popov, Sumulikoski, Georgievski, Despotovski (Lazevski 73'), Pandev, Naumoski (Ristic 61'), Trickovski (Grncarov 80').

Goals

2

Pavel Pogrebnyak, Russia

1

Keith Fahey, Ireland
Filip Holosk0, Slovakia

The last two years of problems for the Azzurri nearly gained a whole new perspective on Friday, with Italy falling behind in Estonia after 31 minutes.  The hosts would take that lead into halftime before Antonio Cassano and Leonardo Bonucci saved Italy, giving the favorites a 2-1 win.

The victory was Italy's first of 2010.

Estonia's goal was a result of a poorly handled free kick by Italy goalkeeper Salvatore Sirigu. Playing for injured captain Gianluigi Buffon, expected to be out for at least two more months, Sirigu coughed-up Konstantin Vassilijev's free kick in the 31st minute. Sergi Zenjov converted the rebound to give the hosts a surprise lead.

That set the stage for Cassano's vindication. Excluded under previous coach Marcello Lippi, Cassano reaffirmed his value with the tying goal before setting up the winner. The tying goal was a headed conversion of an Andrea Pirlo corner kick, with the second also resulting from Cassano's play from a corner.

Goals:

31' - Sergei Zenjov 1

60' - Antonio Cassano 1

63' - Leonardo Bonucci 1

Discipline:

55' - Martin Vunk (Yellow)

85' - Ragnar Klavan (Yellow)

90' - Raio Piiroja (Yellow)

Lineups:

Estonia: Pareiko, Klavan, Piiroja, Jaager, Rahn, Kruglov (Kink 82'), Dmitrijev, Puri (Purje 77'), Vink, Vassilijev, Zenjov (Saag 64')

Italy: Sirigu, Bonucci, Cassani, Molinaro, Chiellini, De Rossi, Pirlo, Montolivo (Palombo 75'), Pepe (Quagliarella 61'), Cassano (Antonelli 80;), Pazzini

Goals

1

Leonardo Bonucci, Italy
Antonio Cassano, Italy
Joan Simun Edmundsson, Faroe Islands
Danko Lazokic, Serbia
Raio Piiroja, Estonia
Kaimar Saag, Estonia
Dejan Stankovic, Serbia
Nikola Zigic, Serbia
Sergei Zenjov, Estonia

Bosnia and Herzegovina performed as expected in Luxembourg on Friday, following-up a strong World Cup qualifying campaign with a 3-0 victory that puts them on top of Group D after the first match day.  Scoring all three goals within the first 16 minutes of play, Bosnia and Herzegovina cruised for the last hour-plus of the match.

Attacker Senijad Ibricic opening the scoring in the sixth minute, followed six minutes later by Miralem Pjanic. Edin Dzeko capped the scoring at the 16 minute mark, after which the visitors settled in.  By the second half, Luxembourg was able to create opportunities against a relaxed Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Luxembourg was playing without captain Jeff Strasser, injured for the match.

Goals:

6' - Senijad Ibricic 1

12' - Miralem Pjanic 1

16' - Edin Dzeko 1

Discipline:

16' - Eric Hoffman (Yellow)

38' - Stefano Bensi (Yellow)

Lineups:

Luxembourg: Joubert, Hoffmann, Schnell, Kintziger, Mutsch, Gerson, Janisch, Peterss, Bettmer (Laterza 86'), Collett (Da Mota 76'), Bensi (Kitenge 46') 

Bosnia and Herzegovina: Hasagic, Spahic, Nadarevic, Mujdza, Misimovic, Rahimic (Jahic 67'), Pjanic (Zec 78'), Lulic, Ibrici (Medunjanin 72'), Ibisevic, Dzeko

Goals

1

Senijad Ibrici, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Gjergj Muzaka, Albania
Miralem Pjanic, Bosnia and Herzegovia
Bogdan Stancu, Romania
Edin Zdeko, Bosnia and Herzegovina

Scotland got a valuable point at Lithuania on Friday, earning a 0-0 draw in Kaunas to open Euro 2012 qualifying.

The teams traded chances in each half of an evenly played match, with goalkeepers Zydrunas Karcemarskas (Lithuania) and Allan McGregor (Scotland) each made multiple saves in keeping their clean sheets

For Lithuania, it was a disappointing result ahead of Tuesday's visit to the Czech Republic, while Scotland take their point back to Glasgow with a chance to move to four, hosting Liechtenstein.

Discipline:

15' - Tadas Kijanskas (Yellow)

18' - Ramunas Radavicius (Yellow)

42' - Scott Brown (Yellow)

68' - Andrius Skerla (Yellow)

73' - Lee McCulloch (Yellow)

Lineups:

Lithuania: Karcemarskas, Stankeivicus, Skerla, Kijanskas, Mikoliunas, Semberas, Cesnauskis, Panka, Sernas (Luksa 80'), Radavicius, Danilevicius (Ivaskevicius 90')

Scotland: McGregor, McManus, Hutton, Whittaker (Berra 90'), Weir, Brown (Morrison 76'), Robson (McFadden 69'), McCulloch, Fletcher, Miller, Naismith

Croatia impressed in their Euro 2012 qualification opener, winning 3-0 at Riga over a Latvia team that had caused Group 2 a few problems in World Cup qualifying. No such problems manifested today for Slaven Bilic's team, who got goals from Mladen Petric, Ivica Olic and Darjio Srna to move to the top of Group F.

Target man Petric put Croatia up minutes before intermission, heading the first goal home from a few yards out.  Only six minutes after half, Bayern Munich forward Ivica Olic finished off a Petric cross to give the Croats a 2-0 lead, with Srna scoring on an 18-yard drive late in the second half.

The goal difference vaults Croatia to the top of Group F, moving ahead of Israel, who defeated Malta 3-1 yesterday.

Goals:

43' - Mladen Petric 1

51' - Ivica Olic 1

82' - Darijo Srna 1

Discipline:

37' - Ognjen Vukojevic (Yellow)

76' - Maris Verpakovskis (Yellow)

76' - Pavels Mihadjuks (Yellow)

90' - Darijo Srna (Yellow)

Lineups:

Latvia: Vanins, Gorkss, Mihadjuks, Ivanovs, Klava, Laizans (Astafjevs 87'), Rafalskis, Rubins (85'), Cauna, Verpakovskis, Karlsons (Rudnevs 63')

Croatia: Runje, Simunic, Srna, Corluka, Strinic, Kranjcar, Rakitic, Vukojevic (Pranjic 70'), Olic, Eduardo (Jelavic 62'), Patric (Mandzukic 84')

Goals

3

Yossi Benayoun, Israel

1

Ivica Olic, Croatia
Jamie Pace, Malta
Mladen Petric, Croatia
Darijo Srna, Croatia

Romanian soccer was dealt another frustrating blow on Friday, finally finding their first lead over visiting Albania in the 80th minute only to be drawn two minutes before full-time.  The 1-1 result gives Albania an unexpected point and continues the struggles for a once strong Romanian team, coming off a fifth place finish in their World Cup qualifying group.

The missed points are a setback for Romania, the second pot team in Group D, who also saw Bosnia and Herzegovina get three points on the road at Luxembourg.  Perception held Romania's biggest challenge for the group's second spot was Bosnia and Herzegovina, but after being drawn at home by Albania, Romania is left playing catch-up.

Substitute Bogdan Stancu scored in the 80th minute to give Romania an exhale-enducing lead, but Albanian substitute Gjergj Muzaka scored five minutes after being brought on to steal a point for the visitors.

Albania did register road points in World Cup qualifying, scoreless draws against Malta and Portugal.

Goals:

80' - Bodgan Stancu 1

88' - Gjergj Muzaka 1

Discipline:

40' - Razvan Rat (Yellow)

50' - Kristi Vangjeli (Yellow)

87' - Ovideu Herea (Yellow)

Lineups:

Romania: Lobont, Tama, Rat, Contra (Muresan 57'), Radoi, Cocis (Herea 78'), Torje, Deac, Florescu, Niculae (Stancu 64'), Marica

Albania: Beqaj, Vangjeli, Lila, Dallku, Curri, Cana, Skela (Lika 79'), Agolli, Bulku, Duro (Muzaka 82'), Bogdani (Salihi 57')

Goals

1

Gjergj Muzaka, Albania
Bogdan Stancu, Romania

A second half brace from Pontus Wernbloom have Sweden a deserved 2-0 victory over visiting Hungary to open each nation's Euro 2012 qualifying campaign.  For the 24-year-old AZ attacker, the goals were the first of an international career that started in 2007.

Hungary had taken Sweden into half time scoreless despite the hosts earning the match's better chances, most notably through the returning Zlatan Ibrahimovic.  After a formation switch resulting from Sebastian Larsson being brought on for Johan Elmander, coach Erik Hamren's found goals in the second half, Wernbloom scoring in the 51st and 73rd minutes.

Swedish goalkeeper Anders Isaksson had to leave this match at halftime, replaced by Johan Wiland.

Goals:

51' - Pontus Wernbloom 1

73' - Pontus Wernbloom 2

Discipline:

66' - Zoltan Liptak (Yellow)

75' - Ola Toivonen (Yellow)

87' - Gabor Kiraly (Yellow)

Lineups:

Sweden: Isaksson (Wiland 46'), Mellberg, Safari, Majstorovic, Lustig, Svensson (Kallstrom 33'), Bajrami, Wernbloom, Ibrahimovic, Elmander (Larsson 49'), Toivonen

Hungary: Kiraly, Juhasz, Laczko, Lazar, Liptak, Vadocz, Gera, Voman, Dzsudzsak (Huszti 46'), Elek (Priskin 59'), Hajnal 82')

Goals

2

Pontus Wernbloom, Sweden

1

Anatolij Doros, Moldova
Alexandru Suvorov, Moldova

Montenegro was the stronger team at the start, getting a goal from captain Mirko Vucinic at the half-hour mark to take a 1-0 lead on Wales.  Despite a surge near match's end from the visitors, Montenegro would hold on to their lead and win the first match of their Euro 2012 qualifying campaign.

Vucinic beat a sluggish James Collins for his chance on goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey, eventually slotting home a near-post match-winner.  Collins's tough day would eventually end with John Toshack taking him off in the 75th minute.

Simon Church put the ball in the net for Wales just before full time, but the goal was disallowed for an offside infraction.

Goals:

30' - Mirko Vucinic 1

Discipline:

8' - Savo Pavicevic (Yellow)

45' - Steve Morison (Yellow)

49' - Sam Ricketts (Yellow)

53' - Mirodrag Dzudovic (Yellow)

70' - Milorad Pekovic (Yellow)

Lineups:

Montenegro: Bozovic, Basa, Dzudovic, Jovanovic, Zverotic, Pavicevic, Boskovic (Bozovic 74'), Pekovic, Vukcevic (Beciraj 87'), Vucinic, Dalovic (Novakovic 83')

Wales: Hennessey, Collins (Morgan 75'), Bale, Ricketts, Gunter, Williams, Edwards (Earnshaw 68'), Ledley, Vaughan, Bellamy, Morison (Church 78')

Goals

1

Mirko Vucinic, Montenegro

Serbia cruised to a 3-0 victory over the Faroe Islands on Friday, opening up their Euro 2012 qualifying campaign by vaulting to the top of Group C.  The Faroes drop to two losses in as many games, having already been defeated by Estonia last month.

Serbia got first half goals four minutes apart from Danko Lazokic and Dejan Stankovic to take a 2-0 lead into halftime. Birmingham City's Nikola Zigic scored late to give the Serbians their final margin of victory.

Serbia now awaits the result of Italy's visit to Estonia and Slovenia's match with Northern Ireland to see if they will stay top of the group at day's end.

Goals:

14' - Danko Lozovic 1

18' - Dejan Stankovic 1

90' - Nikola Zigic 1

Discipline:

32' - Ivan Obradovic (Yellow)

Lineups:

Faroe Islands: Nielsen, Rubeksen, Gregersen, Davidsen, Naes, Samuelsen, Petersen (Hansen 73'), Benjaminsen, Udsen (Mouritsen 46'), Hoist (Hansen 79'), Edmundsson

Serbia: Djuricic, Vidic, Subotic, Rukavina, Obradovic (Lukovic 46'), Stankovic (Petrovic 58'), Krasic, Jovanovic, Kuzmanovic, Zigic, Lazovic (Ninkov 83')

Goals

1

Joan Simun Edmundsson, Faroe Islands
Danko Lazokic, Serbia
Raio Piiroja, Estonia
Kaimar Saag, Estonia
Dejan Stankovic, Serbia
Nikola Zigic, Serbia

Two goals by Pavel Pogrebnyak, the second a penalty kick in the second half, gave Dick Advocaat a 2-0 win over Andorra in his debut as Russia coach.  The win moved Russian ahead of Ireland at the top of Group A.

It was a controlled performance from the Russians, 2008 semifinalists who missed this year's World Cup. Pogrebnyak was set up int he 14th minute by Andrei Arsahvin and finished the second half penalty chance won by Alan Dzagoev.

Russia was playing with midfielder Diniyar Bilyaletdinov at left back, with normal fullback Yuri Zhirkov serving a suspension earned in Russia's World Cup playoff against Slovenia.

Goals:

14' - Pavel Pogrebnyak 1

65' - Pavel Pogrebnyak (pk) 2

Discipline:

20' - Joseph Ayala (Yellow)

26' -  Ildefons Lima (Yellow)

28' - Marc Puyol (Yellow)

Lineups:

Andorra:  Gomes, Lima, Rubio (Lorenzo 58') Bernaus, Martinez, Ayala, Vieira, Moreno (Jimenez 76'), Pujol (Meijas 89'), Silva, Gomez

Republic of Ireland: Akinfeev, V. Berezoutski, Ignashevich, Anyukov, Bystrov (Dzegoev 61'), Semshov, Bilyaletdinov, Shirokov, Zyrianov, Arshavin, Pogrebnyak

Goals

2

Pavel Pograbnyak, Russia

1

Keith Fahey, Ireland

Sami Hyypia's 36th minute red card may have ended any chance Finland had to qualify for Euro 2012.  The Finnish captain dismissal set the stage for a surprise 2-0 victory by European minnows Moldova, a nation that had failed to win a match during qualifying for the 2010 World Cup.  But on Friday, second half goals from Alexandru Suvorov and Anatolij Doros - recorded four minutes apart - gave the Moldovans a 2-0 win.

Moldova was one of two nations in Group E from whom the potential qualifiers were expected to get full points (the other: San Marino).  Finland's loss means they will likely have to make-up those three points against Sweden, the nation they would have been hoping to beat for second place.

For Moldova, it was their first win in a competitive match since November 2007, when they beat Hungary 3-0.  On Tuesday, Moldova travels to Budapest for their second qualifying match.

Hyppia will be suspended for Finland's Tuesday match in the Netherlands.

Goals:

69' - Alexandru Suvorov 1

73' - Anatolij Doros 1

Discipline:

36' - Sami Hypppia (Red)

70' - Igor Tigirlas (Yellow)

Lineups:

Moldova: Namasco, Epureanu, Bulgaru, Savinov, Cebotaru, Borets, Bordian, Josan (Suvorov 58'), Fruza, Tigirlas (Bugaev 69'), Doros (Andronic 75')

Finland: Fredrikson, Pasanen, Hyypia, Meikkinen, Moisander, R. Eremenko, Sparv, A, Eremenko (Forsell 81'), Prokara (Vayrynen), Litmanen (Hamalainen 46'), Johansson

Goals

1

Anatolij Doros, Moldova
Alexandru Suvorov, Moldova

Turkey got an expectedly dominant result in Kazakhstan, and in doing so brilliantly rang in the Guus Hiddink era of Turkish soccer, winning their opening Euro 2012 qualifier, 3-0.

Turkey' s highlight came from Hamit Altintop, who scored the team's second goal with a 22-yard volley near the right elbow of Kazakhstan's area.  Two minutes before, Arda Turan had gotten the Turks on the board with a goal from about one foot out.  Nihat Kahveci scored the final goal at the 75-minute mark.

Kazakhstan had a couple of chances to score in the second half, including a stoppage time header from the middle of the area that went straight to goalkeeper Onur Kivrak.

Goals:

24' - Arda Turan 1

26 - Hamit Altintop 1

75' - Nihat Kahveci 1

Discipline:

58' - Andrei Karpovich (Yellow)

62' - Nurbol Zhumaskliev

Lineups:

Kazakhstan: Sidelnikov, Popov, Kirov, Abdulin, Karpovich (Rodionov 64'), Schmidtgal, Nurgaliev, Zhumaskaliev, Kislitsyn (Rozkhov 85'), Ostapenko (Maltsev 72'), Azovsky

Turkey: Kivrak, Sariogli, Erdogan, Balta, Cetin, Hamit Altintop, Belozoglu, Turn, Aurelio (Kazim 89'), Kahveci (Inan 82'), Tuncay (Halil Altinop 80')

Goals

1

Hamit Altintop, Turkey
Nihat Kahveci, Turkey
Ada Turan, Turkey

Giovanni Trapattoni's late substitution, bringing Keith Fahey on for Aiden McGready, paid off when the Birmingham City player scored the match's only goal in the 76th minute, lifting Ireland to a victory over one of Europe's minnows.

For much of the match it looked as if Trapattoni's typically restrained approach may cost Ireland against Armenia, but Fahey put an 18-yard shot past Roman Berezovskiy to get the Irish three points.

Ireland had a first half, Robbie Keane goal disallowed when the striker was ruled offside after finishing a ball from Liam Lawrence.  Keane also had a bad miss in the 62nd minute, one which would have make him the match's goat had he not been saved by Fahey.

Goals:

76' - Keith Fahey 1

Discipline:

62' - Artak Yedigaryan (Yellow)

88 ' - Glen Whelan (Yellow)

Lineups:

Armenia:  Berezkovskiy, Arzumenyan, Arakelyvan, Hovsepyan, Artur Yedigaryan (Hambardzuman 71'), Artak Yedigaryan (68'), Pachajyan, Mkhitaryan, Malakyan (Manucharyan 78'), Mkrtchyan, Movsisyan

Republic of Ireland: Given, Dunne, O'Shea, St. Ledger, McGeady (Fahey 68'), Kilbane, Lawrence, Whelan, Green, Doyle, Keane (Keough 85')

Goals

1

Keith Fahey, Ireland

The holders, the world champions, the Euro 2012 favorites Spain headline the final Euro 2012 group: Group I. As was the case in World Cup qualifying, they should post a perfect record in these eight matches, though a three-way fight for second will hold our interest in the quintet. If the Czech Republic replicate their World Cup qualifying struggles, Scotland and Lithuania have a shot at Euro 2012.

Spain

FIFA Rank: 1
Elo Rank: 1
Recent Performances: Current World and European Champions.
Coach: Vincente del Bosque
Captain: Iker Casillas
Prominent players: Amongst those called in, Gerard Pique (Barcelona), Sergio Ramos (Real Madrid), Joan Capdevila (Villareal), Andres Iniesta (Barcelona), Xavi Hernandez (Barcelona), Cesc Fabregas (Arsenal), Xabi Alonso (Real Madrid), David Silva (Manchester City), David Villa (Barcelona), Fernando Torres (Liverpool)
Outlook: Very good. We’ve yet to find a reason why Spain should falter. Clearly the world’s best team, they will qualify easily.
Predicted Finish: 1st

Czech Republic

FIFA Rank: 33
Elo Rank: 31
Recent Performances: Finished third in their UEFA World Cup qualifying group. Eliminate in group stage of Euro 2008.
Coach: Michel Bilek
Captain: Petr Cech
Prominent players: Jaroslav Plasil (Bordeaux), Tomas Rosicky (Arsenal), Tomas Necid (CSKA Moscow), Milan Baros (Galatasaray)
Outlook: It’s a strange squad called-in by Bilek. A lot of the defenders you’d expect the see were not called-in, the coach selecting only two players older than 29. Return to health for both Baros and Rosicky could solidify a team that’s struggled over the last two years, losing their place as a seeded team for these draws.
Predicted Finish: 2nd

Scotland

FIFA Rank: 41
Elo Rank: 45
Recent Performances: Third in their UEFA World Cup qualifying group. Failed to qualify for Euro 2008.
Coach: Craig Levein
Captain: Darren Fletcher
Prominent players: Scott Brown (Celtic), Kris Boyd (Middlesbrough), James McFadden (Birmingham City), Kenny Miller (Rangers)
Outlook: Because they’re Scotland, there’s always a lot of hope of regaining past glory, but the players just aren’t here. They’ll struggle to replicate their World Cup qualifying finish.
Predicted Finish: 4th

Lithuania

FIFA Rank: 49
Elo Rank: 63
Recent Performances: Fourth in UEFA World Cup qualifying group. Failed to qualify for Euro 2008.
Coach: Raimondas Zutautas
Captain: Tomas Danilevicius
Prominent players: Marius Stankevicius (Valencia), Deividas Sembras (CSKA Moscow), Edgaras Cesnauskis (Dynamo Moscow), Arunas Klimavicius (Sibir Novosibirsk), Deividas Cesnauskis (Aris), Zydrunas Karcemarskas (Gaziantepspor)
Outlook: The basketball rich country has been giving team trouble in soccer of late. They may finally be ready to qualify for a tournament. To do so, veterans Danilevicius and Semberas need to prolong their primes through the next 14 months. If they can beat Scotland on Friday and follow that with a draw at the Czech - two reasonable results -, they’ll have the inside track on qualifying.
Predicted Finish: 3rd

Liechtenstein

FIFA Rank: 149
Elo Rank: 169
Recent Performances: Sixth in UEFA World Cup qualifying group. Failed to qualify for Euro 2008.
Coach: Hans-Peter Zaugg
Captain: Mario Frick
Prominent players: Martin Stocklasa (Ried)
Outlook: Take Spain, hold a mirror to them, and you’ll have Liechtenstein’s chances.
Predicted Finish: 5th

As it was before the World Cup, Portugal and Denmark are drawn together, this time for Euro 2012’s qualifying. Missing their coach and their best player for the first qualifiers, Portugal looks set to repeat their lack-luster form of the previous tournament and let Denmark take another group from them. Those two nations are a head above Group H’s other three teams.

Portugal

FIFA Rank: 8
Elo Rank: 9
Recent Performances: Second round exit in the World Cup. Quarterfinalist at Euro 2008.
Coach: Carlos Queiroz, once he returns from suspension
Captain: Cristiano Ronaldo, once he returns from injury
Prominent players: Eduardo (Genoa), Ricardo Carvalho (Real Madrid), Bruno Alves (Zenit Saint Petersburg), Fabio Coentrao (Benfica), Raul Meireles (Liverpool), Nani (Manchester United), Danny (Zenit Saint Petersburg)
Outlook: Portugal is the seeded team in the group but can’t be considered its favorites. Denmark beat them in World Cup qualifying, with the Seleccao having too many questions for a return to their talent's level to be assumed. They’re going to be great at the back, but they still have shown no commitment to scoring goals. Unless that changes over the next 14 months, they’re looking at another playoff.
Predicted Finish: 2nd

Denmark

FIFA Rank: 29
Elo Rank: 33
Recent Performances: Eliminated in group play at both the World Cup. Failed to qualify for Euro 2008.
Coach: Morten Olsen
Captain: Daniel Agger
Prominent players: Thomas Sorensen (Stoke City), Lars Jacobsen (West Ham), Simon Kjaer (Wolfsburg), Christian Poulsen (Liverpool), Thomas Kahlenberg (Wolfsburg), Dennis Rommedahl (Olympiacos)
Outlook: Morten Olsen’s team got four points from Portugal in World Cup qualifying and look nearly as strong for this tournament. They will be missing Nicklas Bendtner for these first fixtures, tough. Regardless, Denmark should take advantage over another slow start from Portugal.
Predicted Finish: 1st

Norway

FIFA Rank: 22
Elo Rank: 27
Recent Performances: Second in their UEFA World Cup qualifying group. Failed to qualify for Euro 2008.
Coach: Egil Olsen
Captain: Brede Hangeland
Prominent players: John Arne Riise (Roma), Morten Gamst Pedersen (Blackburn Rovers)
Outlook: Norway was the one second place finisher in World Cup qualifying that failed to make the playoffs. Few new faces are likely to figure for Egil Olsen’s team, though their reliance on older goal scorers during the World Cup cycle will need to be alleviated. The presence of this group's big two makes this a tough draw, the Norwegians left hoping for a Portuguese collapse.
Predicted Finish: 3rd

Cyprus

FIFA Rank: 67
Elo Rank: 64
Recent Performances: Fourth in UEFA World Cup qualifying group. Failed to qualify for Euro 2008.
Coach: Angelos Anastasiadis
Captain: Ioannis Okkas
Prominent players: Michalis Konstantinou (Omonia), Constantinos Charalambides (APOEL), Constantinos Makrides (Omonia), Marios Elia (APOEL), Elias Charalambous (Omonia)
Outlook: Will likely feature and all-Cyprus-based team, not necessarily a bad thing given the quality we’ve seen from clubs like APOEL, Omonia and Anorthosis. Cyprus has given nations like Italy trouble of late, and a third place finish is not out-of-the-question.
Predicted Finish: 4th

Iceland

FIFA Rank: 79
Elo Rank: 92
Recent Performances: Fifth in UEFA World Cup qualifying group. Failed to qualify for Euro 2008.
Coach: Olafur Johannesson
Captain: We’ll have to wait and see
Prominent players: Gretar Steinsson (Bolton Wanderers), Brynjar Bjorn Gunnarsson (Reading), Aron Einar Gunnarsson (Convetry City), Johann Berg Gudmondsson (AZ), Heidar Helguson (Queens Park Rangers)
Outlook: Johannesson has some quality players along with the emergence of a number of prospects set to slot-in for thirty somethings Helguson and Gunnarsson.  Iceland finished fifth in a five team group during World Cup qualifying and look set to do the same here, though taking fourth from Cyprus would not be a huge upset.
Predicted Finish: 5th

The first of UEFA’s five-team groups features two of the home nations. England is the group’s seeded team and will have two matches against a Welsh team with high hopes. Switzerland is the group’s other threat, one that could take the group. We’ll get a good indication of how dangerous they are next Tuesday when they host the Three Lions.

England

FIFA Rank: 7
Elo Rank: 6
Recent Performances: Second round exit in the World Cup. Failed to qualify for Euro 2008
Coach: Fabio Capello
Captain: Rio Ferdinand, with Steven Gerrard filling-in
Prominent players: Ashley Cole (Chelsea), Glen Johnson (Liverpool), Theo Walcott (Arsenal), Gareth Barry (Manchester City), James Milner (Manchester City), Wayne Rooney (Manchester United), Jermain Defoe (Tottenham Hotspur)
Outlook: It feels strange having to clarify this: the World Cup is not the only competition in the world. I mention this because the Three Lions’ poor showing in South Africa has crafted this view that England’s a weak team, the country’s in soccer crisis and it can’t produce a good player or hire a decent coach. Not true, at all. They’re neither as good as they thought nor as bad as they now think. They win this group.
Predicted Finish: 1st

Switzerland

FIFA Rank: 17
Elo Rank: 27
Recent Performances: Eliminated in group play at both the World Cup and Euro 2008.
Coach: Ottmar Hitzfeld
Captain: Alexander Frei
Prominent players: Diego Benaglio (Wolfsburg), Stephan Lichsteiner (Lazio), Stephane Grichting (Auxerre), Reto Ziegler (Sampdoria), Gökhan Inler (Udinese), Tranquillo Barnetta (Bayer LEverkusen), Eren Derdiyok (Bayer Leverkusen), Marco Streller (Basel)
Outlook: Switzerland has the talent to win this group, and while they should not be considered favorites to do so, they are a strong bet for second place. Ottmar Hitzfeld has said this will be his last tournament before retirement.
Predicted Finish: 2nd

Bulgaria

FIFA Rank: 43
Elo Rank: 35
Recent Performances: Third in their UEFA World Cup qualifying group. Failed to qualify for Euro 2008.
Coach: Stanimir Stoilov
Captain: Stiliyan Petrov
Prominent players: Nikolay Mihaylov (Twente), Stanislav Manolev (PSV), Martin Petrov (Bolton Wanderers), Valeri Bojinov (Parma)
Outlook: Dimitar Berbatov has retired from international football, leaving the Bulgarians without the team’s all-time leading goal scorer. They also have a void on karaoke night, not knowing how will sing the 30 Seconds to Mars songs. If the team skips them entirely, they could improve on World Cup qualifying’s third place finish.
Predicted Finish: 3rd

Wales

FIFA Rank: 84
Elo Rank: 59
Recent Performances: Fourth in UEFA World Cup qualifying group. Failed to qualify for Euro 2008.
Coach: John Toshack
Captain: Craig Bellamy
Prominent players: Gareth Bale (Tottenham Hotspur), James Collins (Aston Villa), Joe Ledley (Celtic), Robert Earnshaw (Nothingham Forest)
Outlook: All eyes will be on Gareth Bale to see if the young left-sider can transfer scintilating club form to the international game. Between him and Bellamy, John Toshack has two world class players, which may have been enough to do some damage in other groups. In this one, Wales will merely be a major inconvenience.
Predicted Finish: 4th

Montenegro

FIFA Rank: 72
Elo Rank: 57
Recent Performances: Fourth in UEFA World Cup qualifying group. Failed to qualify for Euro 2008.
Coach: Zlatko Kranjcar
Captain: Mirko Vucinic
Prominent players: Vucinic is by far the best player on this team.
Outlook: Montenegro was thought to be a potential pest in World Cup qualifying but proved to be no trouble in Group 9. There, they finished fourth but should take a step back with this draw.
Predicted Finish: 5th

Israel’s 3-1 win over Malta on Thursday vaulted them to an early Group F lead, and while they are unlikely to keep that position in a group that includes Croatia, Israel has a good change to finish second. To do so, they will have to beat out a transitioning Greece squad and a Latvian team coming off a strong World Cup qualifying campaign.

Croatia

FIFA Rank:14
Elo Rank: 7
Recent Performances: Third place in UEFA World Cup qualifying. Quarterfinalists at Euro 2008.
Coach: Slaven Bilic
Captain: Darijo Srna
Prominent players: Josip Simunic (Hoffenhim)Vedran Corluka (Tottenham hotspur), Danijel Pranjic (Bayern Munich), Ivan Rakitic (Schalke 04), Luka Modric (Tottenham Hotspur), Niko Kranjcar (Tottenham Hotspur), Eduardo (Shakhtar Donetsk), Ivica Olic (Bayern Munich)
Outlook: Shockingly, Croatia not only failed to qualify for the World Cup, they didn’t even make the UEFA playoffs. They remain a seeded team and the solid favorite to win this group, having no glaring weaknesses. With Eduardo back, Slaven Bilic could actually improve upon a 2008’s result.
Predicted Finish: 1st

Greece

FIFA Rank: 12
Elo Rank: 38
Recent Performances: Eliminated in group play at both the World Cup and Euro 2008.
Coach: Fernando Santos
Captain: Giorgios Karagounis
Prominent players: Sokratis Papastathopoulos (Milan), Giourkas Seitaridis (Panathinaikos), Vasilis Torosidis (Olympiacos), Loukas Vyntra (Panathinaikos), Kostas Katsouranis (Panathinaikos), Theofanis Gekas (Eintracht Frankfurt), Georgios Samaras (Celtic)
Outlook: Does anybody really believe Greece is the 12th best team in the world. Oh, FIFA - you’re adorable like that. Greece’s ability to quality for a third straight Euros will be dictated by how new coach Fernando Santos incorporates the new young talent: Papastathopoulos, Sotiris Ninis, and Kostas Mitroglou.
Predicted Finish: 3rd

Israel

FIFA Rank: 38
Elo Rank: 35
Recent Performances: Fourth in their UEFA World Cup qualifying group. Failed to qualify for Euro 2008.
Coach: Luis Fernández
Captain: Yossi Benayoun
Prominent players: Dudu Aouate (Mallorca), Tal Ben Haim (West Ham United), Tamir Cohen (Bolton Wanderers), Biram Kayal (Celtic), Ben Sahar (Hapoel Tel Aviv)
Outlook: If Greece continues to descend, Israel is set to take second place and threaten to qualify for their first major tournament since 1970. The emergence of Sahar as a second viable goal scorer may be the key. Now playing back in Israel, Sahar has given indications that his career may be back on track.
Predicted Finish: 2nd

Latvia

FIFA Rank: 49
Elo Rank: 70
Recent Performances: Third in UEFA World Cup qualifying group. Failed to qualify for Euro 2008.
Coach: Aleksandrs Starkovs
Captain: Vitalijs Astafjevs
Prominent players: Oskara Klava (Anzhi Makhackhala), Juris Laizans (Salyut Belgorod), Maris Verpakovskis (Ergotelis), Andrejs Rubins (Qarabag)
Outlook: A veteran team that gave Group 2 trouble during World Cup qualifying, Latvia may be relying on too many old warriors to take the next step forward.
Predicted Finish: 4th

Georgia

FIFA Rank: 110
Elo Rank: 82
Recent Performances: Sixth in UEFA World Cup qualifying group. Failed to qualify for Euro 2008.
Coach: Temuri Ketsbaia
Captain: Kakha Kaladze
Prominent players: Ucha Lobjanidze (Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk), Zurab Khizanishvili (Blackburn Rovers), Levan Kobiashvili (Hertha Berline), Levan Kenia (Schalke), Levan Mchedlidze (Empoli)
Outlook: Georgia is a bright soccer future, but this year may be too soon. They should take a bit out of one of the group’s four top teams, but their collection of young players (six 23 or under) look more like a threat for 2016.
Predicted Finish: 5th

Malta

FIFA Rank: 151
Elo Rank: 158
Recent Performances: Sixth in their UEFA qualifying group. Did not qualify for Euro 2008.
Coach: John Buttgieg
Captain: Gilbert Agius
Prominent players: Michael Mifsud has 25 career international goals.
Outlook: Malta got one point in World Cup qualifying: a 0-0 home draw with Albania.
Predicted Finish: 6th

The Netherlands drew another easy qualifying group and should have no problem clinching a spot for Euro 2012, but where Group E gets interesting is in the fight for second place. Sweden has moved on from Lars Lagerback and should be considered the favorite for the spot, but capable Finland and Hungary teams could challenge for the playoff spot.

Netherlands

FIFA Rank:2
Elo Rank: 3
Recent Performances: Second place at the World Cup. Quarterfinalists at Euro 2008.
Coach: Bert van Marwijk
Captain: Mark van Bommel
Prominent players: Maarten Stekelenburg (Ajax), John Heitenga (Everton), Joris Mathijsen (Hamburg), Gregory van der Wiel (Ajax), Nigel de Jong (Manchester City), Wesley Sneijder (Internazionale), Dirk Kuyt (Liverpool), Ruud van Nistelrooy (Hamburg)
Outlook: Expect the Dutch to leave their brutal World Cup tactics behind and return to a more fluid approach. They’re currently missing Arjen Robben and Robin van Persie but should still easily handle the first week of qualifying.
Predicted Finish: 1st

Sweden

FIFA Rank: 35
Elo Rank: 17
Recent Performances: Finished third in their World Cup qualifying group. Eliminated in group play at Euro 2008.
Coach: Erik Hamren
Captain: Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Anders Svensson
Prominent players: Andreas Isaksson (PSV), Olof Mellberg (Olympiacos), Kim Kallstrom (Lyon), Ola Toivonen (PSV), Marcus Berg (PSV)
Outlook: Sweden has a lot of attacking talent and can cobble together a decent midfield, but questions persist at the back, and with  Hamren entering his first major competition as coach, there are doubts as to whether Sweden can regain past prominence.
Predicted Finish: 2nd

Finland

FIFA Rank: 52
Elo Rank: 50
Recent Performances: Third in their UEFA World Cup qualifying group. Failed to qualify for Euro 2008.
Coach: Stuart Baxter
Captain: Sami Hyypia
Prominent players: Petri Pasanen (Werder Bremen), Mika Vayrynen (Heerenveen), Alxei Eremenko (Kilmarnock), Mikael Forssell (Hannover), Jonatan Johansson (TPS)
Outlook: Finland only lost twice in a World Cup qualifying group that featured Germany and Russia. A balanced team that both lacks huge stars and major weaknesses, they will be able to beat Sweden should  Hamren not adequately fill Lagerback’s shoes.
Predicted Finish: 3rd

Hungary

FIFA Rank: 62
Elo Rank: 60
Recent Performances: Fourth in UEFA World Cup qualifying group. Failed to qualify for Euro 2008.
Coach: Sandor Egervari
Captain: Zoltan Gera
Prominent players: Roland Juhasz (Anderlecht), Filmos Vanczak (Sion), Szabolcs Huszti (Zenit St. Petersburg)
Outlook: Like Finland, Hungary has a well-rounded team, but they have lacked Finland’s bite on the field. Just this year, Hungary’s lost to England 2-1, the Netherlands 6-1, and Germany 3-0.
Predicted Finish: 4th

Moldova

FIFA Rank: 89
Elo Rank: 107
Recent Performances: Sixth in UEFA World Cup qualifying group. Failed to qualify for Euro 2008.
Coach: Gavril Balint
Captain: Alexandru Epureanu
Prominent players: Stanislav Namasco (Kuban Krasnodar), Alexi Savinov (Baku), Serghei Dadu (Alania Vladikavkaz)
Outlook: Between Epureanu, Namasco and Dadu, Moldova has some interesting talents, but it’s not enough to make them more than strong team relative to fifth pot standards.
Predicted Finish: 5th

San Marino

FIFA Rank: 202
Elo Rank: 203
Recent Performances: Sixth in their UEFA qualifying group. Did not qualify for Euro 2008.
Coach: Giampaolo Mazza
Captain: Andy Selva
Prominent players: None. It’s a squad made up of players in low-level Italian soccer or still in San Marino.
Outlook: San Marino is the argument for why UEFA should change its qualifying format. The team scored once while allowing 47 goals in World Cup qualifying. Teams will run-up scored to try and help goal difference.
Predicted Finish: 6th

The manufactured soccer crisis in France makes Group D wide open. Les Bleus are ostensibly the seeded team, but with their current penchant for dwelling on what happened in South Africa, it’s unclear whether they're willing to live-up to that stature. That leaves the group open for Romania and, more readily, Bosnia and Herzegovina. If Bosnia and Herzegovina does not replicate their strong World Cup qualifying form, even Belarus could have a shot, if those teams beat up on each other enough.

France

FIFA Rank: 21
Elo Rank: 25
Recent Performances: Eliminated in group play at World Cup. Eliminated in group play at Euro 2008.
Coach: Laurent Blanc
Captain: We’ll see, Philippe Mexes would wear the armband.
Prominent players: Hugo Lloris (Lyon), Bacary Sagna (Arsenal), Gael Clichy (Arsenal), Florent Malouda (Chelsea), Abou Diaby (Arsenal), Mathieu Valbuena (Marseille), Löic Remy (Marseille)
Outlook: If you notice names missing from the prominent players list, that’s because many of the World Cup’s not-so-villains are still being left out of the team. Given the team has a trip to Bosnia and Herzegovina this week, France is setting themselves up to replicate World Cup qualifying’s second place group finish.
Predicted Finish: 2nd

Romania

FIFA Rank: 42
Elo Rank: 26
Recent Performances: Finished fifth in their World Cup qualifying group. Eliminated in group play at Euro 2008.
Coach: Räzvan Lucescu
Captain: Cristian Chivu
Prominent players: Cosmin Contra, Räzvan Rat (Shakhtar Donetsk), Mirel Radoi (Al-Hilil), Ciprian Marica (Stuttgart), Daniel Niculae (Monaco)
Outlook: Romania was a second pot team based on legacy, but their descent has been sharp since qualifying for Euro 2008. Their fifth place finish in World Cup qualifying saw the Romanians finish behind Lithuania. Belarus could pass them this time.
Predicted Finish: 4th

Bosnia and Herzegovina

FIFA Rank: 57
Elo Rank: 50
Recent Performances: Second in their UEFA World Cup qualifying group. Failed to qualify for Euro 2008
Coach: Safet Susic
Captain: Emir Spahic
Prominent players: Elvir Rahmic (CSKA Moscow), Miralem Pjanic (Lyon) Zvjezdan Misimovic (Galatasaray), Sejad Salihoic (Hoffenheim), Edin Dezko (Wolfsburg), Vedad Ibisevic (Hoffenheim).
Outlook: Bosnia and Herzegovina lost to Portugal in a playoff that kept them out of the World Cup, but having beat-out Turkey to qualify for the playoff, Bosnia and Herzegovina does have a line on their CV hinting of the capabilities. With France intent on beating itself up and Romania fading, this group is open for an upset.
Predicted Finish: 1st

Belarus

FIFA Rank: 78
Elo Rank: 55
Recent Performances: Fourth in UEFA World Cup qualifying group. Failed to qualify for Euro 2008.
Coach: Bernd Stange
Captain: Yuri Zhevnov
Prominent players: Sergei Omelyanchuk (Terek Grozny), Aliaksandr Hleb (Birmingham City), Aliaksandr Kulchiy (Rostov), Vitali Kutuzov (Bari), Sergei Kornilanko (Rubin Kazan), Vyzcheslav Hleb (Shenzhen Ruby)
Outlook: Belarus’s only victories in World Cup qualifying were against Andorra and Kazakhstan, but recent results against Honduras, Korea, and Lithuania hint this team is ready to take a step forward.
Predicted Finish: 3rd

Albania

FIFA Rank: 70
Elo Rank: 87
Recent Performances: Fifth in UEFA World Cup qualifying group. Failed to qualify for Euro 2008.
Coach: Josip Kuze
Captain: Altin Lala, though Lorik Cana probably wears the armband this week.
Prominent players: Kristi Vangjeli (Aris), Lorik Cana (Galatasaray), Erjon Bogdani (Ceswena)
Outlook: Albania should be pluckier than the normal fifth pot team. They are capable of getting draws within a group lacking any dominant teams. While they still seem destined for fifth, replicating the seven points they got in World Cup qualifying is possible.
Predicted Finish: 5th

Luxembourg

FIFA Rank: 127
Elo Rank: 184
Recent Performances: Fifth in their UEFA qualifying group. Did not qualify for Euro 2008.
Coach: Luc Holtz
Captain: Jeff Strasser
Prominent players: None.
Outlook: In the weakest World Cup qualifying group, Luxembourg recorded five points but only four goals. This group will be more difficult for them.
Predicted Finish: 6th

Group C was the first to start play in Euro 2012 qualifying, with Estonia defeating the Faroe Islands in mid-August. This may be the last time Estonia tops the group, with four other nations capable of finishing in the top two. Italy is the seeded team, but with a new coach and a roster in transition, all of Serbia, Northern Ireland and Slovenia could come out of Group C.

Italy

FIFA Rank:11
Elo Rank: 14
Recent Performances: Eliminated in group play at World Cup. Eliminated in the quarterfinals of Euro 2008.
Coach: Cesare Prandelli
Captain: Gianluigi Buffon when healthy, but Andrea Pirlo will wear the armband this week.
Prominent players: Giorgio Chiellini (Juventus), Daniele De Rossi (Roma), Alberto Gilardino (Fiorentina), Febio Quagliarella (Juventus), Antonio Cassano (Sampdoria)
Outlook: Italy has only one defender that has more than three caps, and with Gianluigi Buffon out for at least a couple more months, the Azzurri have one cap amongst their goalkeepers. Cesare Prandelli is also making his competitive debut as coach. It’s a bit fortunate that Italy gets Estonia and the Faroe Islands this week. Had they faced one of the group’s tougher teams, it could have cost them come October 2011.
Predicted Finish: 2nd

Serbia

FIFA Rank: 13
Elo Rank: 14
Recent Performances: Eliminated in group play at the World Cup. Failed to qualify for Euro 2008.
Coach: Radomir Antic
Captain: Dejan Stankovic
Prominent players: Nemanja Vidic (Manchester United), Branislav Ivanovic (Chelsea), Milan Jovanovic (Liverpool), Milos Krasic (Juventus)
Outlook: At some point Italy will get its act together, but until they do Serbia may be the group’s favorites. Their only weekness may be in goal, but particularly through the midfield, the Serbians have the talent to compensate.
Predicted Finish: 1st

Northern Ireland

FIFA Rank: 56
Elo Rank: 71
Recent Performances: Fourth in UEFA World Cup qualifying group. Failed to qualify for Euro 2008.
Coach: Nigel Worthington
Captain: Aaron Hughes
Prominent players: Chris Baird (Fulham), Jonny Evans (Manchester United), Steven Davis (Rangers), David Healy (Sunderland), Kyle Lafferty (Rangers)
Outlook: As was the case in World Cup qualifying, Northern Ireland is drawn into a deep group. They can defend, but they’ll be reliant on Lafferty for goals, with the hopes that David Healy has one more effective cycle in him.
Predicted Finish: 4th

Slovenia

FIFA Rank: 19
Elo Rank: 42
Recent Performances: Eliminated in group play at the World Cup. Failed to qualify for Euro 2008.
Coach: Matjaz Kek
Captain: Robert Koren
Prominent players: Samir Handanovic (Udinese), Bostjan Cesar (Chievo), Valter Birsa (Zuxerre), Milivoje Novakovic (Koln)
Outlook: The Slovene players’ familiarity with each other and tactical awareness should be an advantage in this qualifying format, where teams are only together for a week at a time. If a nation is going to knock Italy out of Euro 2012 early, it should be them.
Predicted Finish: 3rd

Estonia

FIFA Rank: 94
Elo Rank: 96
Recent Performances: Fifth in their UEFA qualifying group. Did not qualify for Euro 2008.
Coach: Tarmo Rüütli
Captain: Raio Piroja
Prominent players: Enar Jääger (Aalesunds), Ragnar Klavan (AZ), Andres Oper, Kaimar Saag (Silkeborg), Sergei Zenjov (Karpaty Lviv)
Outlook: A 2-1 home win to over the Faroe Islands has Estonia out to an early lead in the group, but the Faroes playing them to a 2-1 tells of the limited Estonia threat.
Predicted Finish: 5th

Faroe Islands

FIFA Rank: 117
Elo Rank: 161
Recent Performances: Sixth in their UEFA qualifying group. Did not qualify for Euro 2008.
Coach: Brian Kerr
Captain: Frodi Benjaminsen
Prominent players: Gunnar Nielsen played for Manchester City once. That makes him prominent, right?
Outlook: The Faroes registered four points in World Cup qualifying. They’re unlikely to replicate that success in this group.
Predicted Finish: 6th

Russia’s place in the top nine of the UEFA coefficient means Dirk Advocaat, again walking in the footsteps of Guus Hiddink, has the de facto seeded team in Group B. Their main obstacles to qualifying will be a Slovakia team that just qualified for their first major tournament and Giovanni Trapatonni’s Republic of Ireland.

Having drawn weak teams from each of the six pots, Group B is the easiest of the tournaments nine groups.

Russia

FIFA Rank:16
Elo Rank: 15
Recent Performances: Second place in World Cup qualifying group. Semifinals of Euro 2008.
Coach: Dick Advocaat
Captain: Andrei Arshavin
Prominent players: Igor Akinfeev (CSKA Moscow), Aleksandr Anyukov (Zenit St. Petersburg), Alan Dagoev (CSKA Moscow), Roman Pavlyuchenko (Tottenham Hotspur)
Outlook: One of the best goalkeepers in the world will have to save a suspect defense, the key to which may be replacing midfielder Sergei Semak, who has not been called-in. Alan Dzagoev’s continued development could make an already strong Russian attack elite.
Predicted Finish: 1st

Slovakia

FIFA Rank: 27
Elo Rank: 48
Recent Performances: Second round of the World Cup. Failed to qualify for Euro 2008.
Coach: Vladimir Weiss
Captain: Marek Hamsik
Prominent players: Martin Skrtel (Liverpool), Miroslav Stoch (Fenerbahce), Vladimir Weiss (Rangers), Robert Vittek (Ankaragucu)
Outlook: The only World Cup qualifier in the group, Slovakia faces a tougher challenge getting to Euro 2012 than they did qualifying for South Africa. Of the group's strong nations, they may have the best recent accomplishments, but they are neither the most talent (Russia) nor best prepared (Ireland) team in this group. Winning this group is not out of the question. Neither is failing to make the playoff.
Predicted Finish: 3rd

Republic of Ireland

FIFA Rank: 36
Elo Rank: 25
Recent Performances: Second in UEFA World Cup qualifying group. Failed to qualify for Euro 2008.
Coach: Giovanni Trapatonni
Captain: Robbie Keane
Prominent players: Shay Given (Manchester City), John O’Shea (Manchester United), Richard Dunne (Aston Villa), Damien Duff (Fulham), Kevin Doyle (Wolverhampton Wanderers)
Outlook: The World Cup’s 33rd team has a good draw. Slovakia and Russia are both beatable. If Shay Given can maintain his international form while losing playing time at Manchester City, Ireland could qualify for their first major tournament since World Cup 2002.
Predicted Finish: 2nd

Republic of Macedonia

FIFA Rank: 66
Elo Rank: 69
Recent Performances: Fourth in UEFA World Cup qualifying group. Did not qualify for Euro 2008.
Coach: Mirsad Jonuz
Captain: Goran Pandev
Prominent players: Goran Popov (Dynamo Kyiv), Igor Mitreski (Neftchi Baku), Velice Sumulikoski (Sibir Novosibirsk)
Outlook: UEFA has a number of one-man nations, and Macedonia’s man is Goran Pandev. The Internazionale attacker has recorded 23 goals in 54 caps for his country. His presence helps make Macedonia the group spoiler. Group B’s big three should take full points from Macedonia, but a slips against them could decide which of the trio finishes third.
Predicted Finish: 4th

Armenia

FIFA Rank: 96
Elo Rank: 118
Recent Performances: Sixth in their UEFA qualifying group. Did not qualify for Euro 2008.
Coach: Vardan Minasyan
Captain: Sargis Hovsepyan
Prominent players: Roman Berezovsky (Khimki), Robert Arzumanyan (Randers), Henrikh Mkhitaryan (Shakhtar Donetsk), Yura Movsisyan (Randers)
Outlook: Yes, that Yura Movsisyan, Major League Soccer fans. Whereas the former Real Salt Lake forward had once leaned toward the U.S., as of three weeks ago, he is an Armenian international. He will help the team improve upon its World Cup qualifying finish.
Predicted Finish: 5th

Andorra

FIFA Rank: 201
Elo Rank: 202
Recent Performances: Sixth in their UEFA qualifying group. Did not qualify for Euro 2008.
Coach: Koldo
Captain: Oscar Sonejee
Prominent players: None.
Outlook: Andorra lost all ten of their World Cup qualifiers while posting a -36 goal difference, playing many of their matches in neighboring Spain. Not all of their players are full professionals. I’d say they’re just happy to be here, but I’m really not sure. The Armenians, however, will be thrilled to play them.
Predicted Finish: 6th

Given only one World Cup qualifier is in the packet, it would appear Euro 2008 finalists Germany have an easy ride through Group A. In actuality, the group might have qualifying's best set of three teams. Germany is joined by 2008 semifinalists Turkey - now being guided by Guus Hiddink - and a Belgium team that’s expected to be one of the up-and-coming teams in Europe.  Still, Germany should have little problem navigating the group, but between Turkey and Belgium one good team will miss out of Euro 2012.

Germany

FIFA Rank: 4
Elo Rank: 4
Recent Performances: Third place at the 2010 World Cup. Second place at Euro 2008.
Coach: Joachim Low
Captain: Philipp Lahm, until Michael Ballack returns (if that even happens).
Prominent players: Heiko Westermann (Hamburg), Per Mertesacker (Werder Bremen), Sami Khedira (Real Madrid), Bastian Schweinsteiger (Bayern Munich), Mesut Ozil (Real Madrid), Lukas Podolski (Köln), Thomas Müller (Bayern Munich), Miroslav Klose (Bayern Munich)
Outlook: They’ll be fine. They might lose at Belgium or Turkey, but they won’t be favored to do so. By the time they conclude qualifying with a Turkey and Belgium week, they could already be in Euro 2012.
Predicted Finish: 1st

Turkey

FIFA Rank: 28
Elo Rank: 19
Recent Performances: Third in UEFA World Cup qualifying group. Semifinals of Euro 2008.
Coach: Guus Hiddink
Captain: Emre Belözoğlu
Prominent players: Servet Cetin (Galatasaray), Görkhan Zan (Galatasaray), Hamit Altintop (Bayenr Munich), Arda Turan (Galatasaray), Nuri Sahin (Borussia Dortmund), Tuncay Sanli (Stoke City), Halil Altintop (Eintracht Frankfurt)
Outlook: After a great Euro 2008, Turkey failed to even make the playoffs in World Cup qualifying. Hiddink was brought-in to right the ship, but he's coming off his own failure to qualify Russia. For many players making-up the team’s core, this could be their last major tournament qualifying cycle before the generation headed by Arda Turan becomes the heart of the squad.
Predicted Finish: 3rd

Austria

FIFA Rank: 68
Elo Rank: 59
Recent Performances: Third in UEFA World Cup qualifying group. Eliminated at group stage of Euro 2008.
Coach: Dietmar Constantini
Captain: Marc Janko
Prominent players: Christian Fuchs (Bochum), Paul Scharner, Erwin Hoffer (Kaiserslautern), Roman Wallner (Red Bull Salzburg)
Outlook: Though they’ve made seven World Cups, Austria’s never qualified for a European championship. They played decently in World Cup qualifying, but this group is much tougher. Too tough.
Predicted Finish: 4th

Belgium

FIFA Rank: 48
Elo Rank: 65
Recent Performances: Fourth in UEFA World Cup qualifying group. Did not qualify for Euro 2008.
Coach: George Leekens
Captain: Thomas Vermaelen
Prominent players: Jean-Francois Gillet (Bari), Guillaume Gillet (Anderlecht), Vincent Kompany (Manchester City), Daniel Van Buyten (Bayern Munich), Steven Defour (Standard Liege), Marouane Fellaini (Everton), Eden Hazard (Lille), Romelu Lukaku (Anderlecht) Moussa Dembele (Fulham)
Outlook: Sixteen of Belgium’s 25 call-ups are 24 or younger, including the likes of Kompany, Vermaelen and Defour, who have been around long enough to make us forget how young they are. In that way, Belgium’s a mirror image of Turkey, their main competition in this group. While Turkey’s slowly having to phase out parts of its core, Belgium is approaching that precarious point where their young players will be asked to live-up to expectations.
Predicted Finish: 2nd

Kazakhstan

FIFA Rank: 126
Elo Rank: 166
Recent Performances: Fifth in their UEFA qualifying group. Did not qualify for Euro 2008.
Coach: Bernd Storck
Captain: Nurbol Zhumaskaliyev
Prominent players: None.
Outlook: In ten World Cup qualifiers, Kazakhstan failed to beat any team besides Andorra. Unfortunately, Kazakhstan might be the Andorra of this group.
Predicted Finish: 6th

Azerbaijan

FIFA Rank: 106
Elo Rank: 102
Recent Performances: Fifth in their UEFA qualifying group. Did not qualify for Euro 2008.
Coach: Berti Vogts
Captain: Rashad Sadygov
Prominent players: Besides Sadygov, who plays in Turkey, the only other Azerbaijani who plays abroad is Mahir Shukurov, who plays for recently promoted Russian Premier League side Anzhi Makhachkala. Qarabag midfielder Elvin Mammadov may be their most dangerous player.
Outlook: In their last competitive match, Azerbaijan got a draw against Russia. The match was meaningless to the Russians, but still: They got it. Their goal in that match was one of four they scored in World Cup qualifying.
Predicted Finish: 5th

Twenty-two matches over the span of seven hours. If qualifying for Euro 2012’s yet to infiltrate your soccer-loving life, enjoy your last day of good luck trying to keep it out come 11:00 a.m. Eastern tomorrow.

Quickly, here is the schedule, with the matches available on ESPN3 noted. All times are Eastern, and if you want something to ridicule, my picks are in bold (no bold means I see a draw). More on those as I previews the groups before tomorrows kick-offs: