Qualifying drama to unfold
Wednesday, 8 September 2004
Wednesday sees the third instalment of 2006 FIFA World Cup qualifying action across Europe, following a frantic weekend of fixtures.
Athens derby
European champions Greece will welcome an early chance to atone for a disastrous start to their campaign when they entertain neighbours Turkey in Athens. Saturday's 2-1 reverse in Albania has left Otto Rehhagel's team bottom of Group 2 though a victory will see them leapfrog a Turkish side who were held by Georgia at the weekend.
Positive thinking
Turkey coach Ersun Yanal expects a close contest but is staying mindful of the broader picture. "My primary wish for today's match is that it helps to consolidate the friendship between the two nations," he said. "The team which defends well and manages to install their collective game will win."
Classic match
In Group 1, new Netherlands coach Marco van Basten makes his competitive debut in Amsterdam where his side face the Czech Republic for the fourth time in 18 months. His opposite number, Karel Brückner, is without four key men from the team that defeated the Dutch 3-2 in a classic UEFA EURO 2004™ encounter just eleven weeks ago.
Big names missing
Pavel Nedved and Tomás Galásek are sidelined with knee injuries while Karel Poborský and Vladimír Šmicer also miss out. Roman Týce is expected the replace the influential Nedved and Tomáš Hübschman and newcomer Karel Piták may be drafted into midfield. EURO 2004™ top scorer Milan Baroš will partner Jan Koller in attack.
Summit meeting
Group 8 throws up an early clash between two of the favourites to clinch an automatic place in Germany when Croatia travel to Sweden. Both countries should be used to tournament football after summer appearances in Portugal, and Sweden joint-coach Lars Lagerbäck is confident his side can cope with the Croatian aerial threat in Gothenburg.
Seven up
"They have taller players than us but I think we'll cope even though we have to be on our toes," he said. Lagerbäck is expected to make just one change from the team that thrashed Malta 7-0 on Saturday, with Teddy Lukic replacing Petter Hansson in central defence. Croatia overcame Hungary 3-0 at the weekend.
Double celebration
Just 24 hours after becoming a father for the first time, Norway captain Martin Andresen is hoping for a double celebration when he turns out against Belarus in Oslo tonight in Group 5. Andresen played in Saturday's 2-1 loss in Italy but skipped training for the birth yesterday.
Impressive beginings
Israel coach Avraham Grant is adamant his side need three points from the Group 4 visit of Cyprus to Tel-Aviv if they are to build on Saturday's impressive draw against France. "As we are playing at home we must win," he said. "We should control the match and dictate its pace." Team captain Avi Nimni, who made a substitute appearance in Paris, is likely to start.
Captain hopeful
Another captain, England's David Beckham, took part in a training session yesterday and is hopeful of recovering from a rib injury to play against Group 6 leaders Poland in Chorzow. England drew in Austria on Saturday while Poland won comfortably in Northern Ireland.
United Kingdom clash
The latter side visit Wales's Millennium Stadium for a first competitive match between teams from the United Kingdom in four years. Wales midfielder Andy Johnson will be missing after a family bereavement so John Oster could start after a substitute cameo in Saturday's 1-1 draw in Azerbaijan.
uefa.com
The match of the day is definitely Holland-Czech Rep.
Wednesday, 8 September 2004
Wednesday sees the third instalment of 2006 FIFA World Cup qualifying action across Europe, following a frantic weekend of fixtures.
Athens derby
European champions Greece will welcome an early chance to atone for a disastrous start to their campaign when they entertain neighbours Turkey in Athens. Saturday's 2-1 reverse in Albania has left Otto Rehhagel's team bottom of Group 2 though a victory will see them leapfrog a Turkish side who were held by Georgia at the weekend.
Positive thinking
Turkey coach Ersun Yanal expects a close contest but is staying mindful of the broader picture. "My primary wish for today's match is that it helps to consolidate the friendship between the two nations," he said. "The team which defends well and manages to install their collective game will win."
Classic match
In Group 1, new Netherlands coach Marco van Basten makes his competitive debut in Amsterdam where his side face the Czech Republic for the fourth time in 18 months. His opposite number, Karel Brückner, is without four key men from the team that defeated the Dutch 3-2 in a classic UEFA EURO 2004™ encounter just eleven weeks ago.
Big names missing
Pavel Nedved and Tomás Galásek are sidelined with knee injuries while Karel Poborský and Vladimír Šmicer also miss out. Roman Týce is expected the replace the influential Nedved and Tomáš Hübschman and newcomer Karel Piták may be drafted into midfield. EURO 2004™ top scorer Milan Baroš will partner Jan Koller in attack.
Summit meeting
Group 8 throws up an early clash between two of the favourites to clinch an automatic place in Germany when Croatia travel to Sweden. Both countries should be used to tournament football after summer appearances in Portugal, and Sweden joint-coach Lars Lagerbäck is confident his side can cope with the Croatian aerial threat in Gothenburg.
Seven up
"They have taller players than us but I think we'll cope even though we have to be on our toes," he said. Lagerbäck is expected to make just one change from the team that thrashed Malta 7-0 on Saturday, with Teddy Lukic replacing Petter Hansson in central defence. Croatia overcame Hungary 3-0 at the weekend.
Double celebration
Just 24 hours after becoming a father for the first time, Norway captain Martin Andresen is hoping for a double celebration when he turns out against Belarus in Oslo tonight in Group 5. Andresen played in Saturday's 2-1 loss in Italy but skipped training for the birth yesterday.
Impressive beginings
Israel coach Avraham Grant is adamant his side need three points from the Group 4 visit of Cyprus to Tel-Aviv if they are to build on Saturday's impressive draw against France. "As we are playing at home we must win," he said. "We should control the match and dictate its pace." Team captain Avi Nimni, who made a substitute appearance in Paris, is likely to start.
Captain hopeful
Another captain, England's David Beckham, took part in a training session yesterday and is hopeful of recovering from a rib injury to play against Group 6 leaders Poland in Chorzow. England drew in Austria on Saturday while Poland won comfortably in Northern Ireland.
United Kingdom clash
The latter side visit Wales's Millennium Stadium for a first competitive match between teams from the United Kingdom in four years. Wales midfielder Andy Johnson will be missing after a family bereavement so John Oster could start after a substitute cameo in Saturday's 1-1 draw in Azerbaijan.
uefa.com
The match of the day is definitely Holland-Czech Rep.
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