Euro 2010 Qualifying, Preview: Group E

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