Wednesday's Euro 2004 qualifiers

[knyd]

Russia v Switzerland
This is a decisive match for Group 10, the Swiss having the opportunity to earn straight qualification to Portugal with an away win; otherwise they can still qualify but there's the risk of a play-off game to be played. On the other end, the Russians needs points so badly to keep alive their hopes to reach a play-off spot.
If you look at the stats of this group, you'll notice both teams have a medium of 2 goals scored per match, with the Russians allowing some goals too to their opponents, 10 in 6 games. Morevoer, it seems the games between the main contenders, Ireland/Russia/Switzerland, has been very open: 3 of these 4 games ended with OVER2.5 scores, including the reverse fixture between Switzerland and Russia (2-2). Russia come from the 1-1 draw at Ireland, in a game who was lively only in the first half, according to uefa.com report.
The Swiss team is without three first-team players, goalkeeper Stiel, defender Haas, forward Hakan Yakin, but some Basel players could provide adequate replacement, while the Russians main absent will be experienced midfielder Dimitri Alenitchev.
I expect an open match here, both teams having strong motivation, and my advice is to pick an OVER(2.5) @ 1.80 (Interwetten).

Finland captain Jari Litmanen has failed in his bid to be fit for his country's UEFA EURO 2004™ qualifier against Wales on Wednesday.

Late fitness test

The AFC Ajax forward underwent a late fitness test after which it was decided he would not join the rest of the squad in Cardiff as his achilles problem needs more time to heal.

'Not fully fit'

"I had a discussion with Jari and we decided it was best for him not to play," said Finland coach Antti Muurinen. "The player's health is the main thing and Jari is not fully fit yet." The good news for the Finns is that RSC Anderlecht defender Hannu Tihinen is available for selection after overcoming a calf problem.

German injuries

Germany are facing an injury crisis ahead of their qualifier against Scotland. Midfield player Sebastian Deisler became the latest withdrawal on Tuesday after he pulled a thigh muscle in training. Coach Rudi Voller will also be without Jens Jeremies, who has failed to recover from a knee injury, while defender Carsten Ramelow (calf) and Oliver Neuville (hip) are both doubtful.

Hutchison out

Meanwhile, Don Hutchison has been ruled out for the Scots. The West Ham United FC player has not recovered from the knee injury which kept him out of Saturday's win against the Faroe Islands and he will be joined on the sidelines by the suspended Stevie Crawford.

Carew expulsion

AS Roma forward John Carew has been excluded from Norway's squad for tomorrow's friendly against EURO 2004™ hosts Portugal after an incident with Liverpool FC's John Arne Riise. The two players had a quarrel at a training session in Drammen yesterday and on the bus back to Oslo, Carew allegedly struck his countryman.

Semb comments

Norway coach Nils Johan Semb said: "We have heard witnesses and the two players and have decided to suspend John Carew for this match."

'Sad incident'

Riise said: "I have given John my apology and he has done the same to me. We sat together for an hour at the hotel room yesterday and talked it over." Ole Gunnar Solskjær will miss the Oslo encounter with a knee injury while Andre Bergdølmo has withdrawn for family reasons.

Fifty up for Muscat

Finally, Malta goalkeeper Mario Muscat is prerparing for his 50th international appearance, which he should make on Wednesday night in his country's final Group 1 qualifier against Israel. "I am really pleased to be on the brink of chalking up my 50th appearance for my country - it's a feat to be proud of," Muscat told uefa.com. "And I hope to crown my 50th cap with a positive result. This is our last chance to get our first points [of the campaign]. "

with skybet, England are 4/5 -3 goals, which IMO is a great price. England will win by at least 4:evil

Friendly game against Holland (1-1) in wich "red devils" showed excellent performance returned some pigment on their coachs face. Belgium's coach Aime Anthuenis on press-conferences is talking about their symbolic chances to reach Euro 2004 but his ambitions are larger,he couldn't fool anybody with that story.Belgium has to win,at least to prolong the hope.Although,if they win,they should make it sensational 5-0 to make it good :p .Or hope that Andorra can snatch something from Bulgaria.Not likely to happen.
For Croatia draw has the same value as the victory,it really doesn't make any difference.

Against Netherlands,Belgium played one excellent first half.Sonck scored for 1-0,but with little more luck they could have scored couple more times.In the second half they were somewhat weaker,but today this is far more seriuos team from the one that was badly defeated and humiliated in Zagreb with 4-0.In that friendly real discovery was left wing Van Dammme from Ajax,very good played offensive midfielder Basseggio and strickers Sonck and Buffel.

Croatia defeated Andorra on Saturday smothly 3-0 with half of strength,real creator of this easy victory was Milan Rapaic,one untypical player that has something that God doesn't give to everybody,he's without a club and he's training with juniors,but is playing great and will be main threat for Belgium. All the players are in disposal,only midfielder Leko will be out due to suspension.
Croatia will most probably play in 3-5-2 formation:Pletikosa,R.Kovac,Tomas,Simunic,Simic,Zi vkovic,Rosso,N.Kovac,Rapaic,Olic and Mornar,but the coach will publish the names just before the game.

Coach Baric said that he knows everything about Belgium and that he can't be surprised.He said:"In Bruxell it'll be easier for us,we'll play like we're playing in Zagreb. And it'll be harder for Belgium because they have to play like it is,playing in Bruxell.Do you understand what I mean? They have to open themselves and we'll punish them!"Afterall one point for Croatia is almost like a victory because in the last round if they win over Bulgaria at home with more than 2 goals margin,they could qualify directly for Portugal.But,first bridges first!

Belgium isn't better than Croatia,but it isn't worst either,it will be a very tough,close match,without much beauty.I really believe that Croatia wouldn't lose but notice that I live in Croatia and I'm biased as well.Everything can happen in this match but I'll bet on draw @ 3.1 GB.

@ System13,

Indeed, don't let Aimé Antheunis fool you, he still is convinced that if we should win today we're going to the playoffs...
Believe it or not, but the press is already writing scenarios with 5-0 victories and such stupid stuff, that most of us starting to believe in it, which is ofcourse ridicilous, no team can win 5-0 against this Croatia side. But hey, let us have our dreams

Still i don't think there is much difference between the two sides, still I'm going for a small Belgium victory but I'm biased too

Anyways, let's hope it will be nice game!!!

qlpol,can you tell me Belgium's starting eleven?If they don't have some big injury problems,this is a clear home win.Price 2.20(ladbrokes) is excelent.Belgium has to win,and they will do it,I'm sure.Still,it's derby,so I'm going with medium stake,but I can't see to much hopes for Croatia!

Is this game gonna be hot, possible bookings. red/yellow cards or penalty ? Any thoughts ? under/over ?

Staring 11 for Belgium :

GK : De Vlieger (Willem 2)
DR : Deflandre (Lyon)
DL : Van Damme (Ajax)
DC : Van Buyten (Marseille)
DC : Simons (Club Brugge)
MR : Mbo Mpenza or Walasiak or Martens(Mouscron, Standard, Club Brugge)
ML : Goor (Hertha Berlin)
MC : Clement (Club Brugge)
MC : Baseggio (Anderlecht)
FC : Buffel (Feyenoord)
FC : Sonck (Ajax)

All first choice players, except for the two Mpenza's, Emile Mpenza is out of form and just returned from injury while Mbo Mpenza is doubtfull for tonight.

Seems like Croatia has also a nearly full squad, only Tudor and Prso are doubtfull...
Croatia coach says they come to Brussels to win, but i don't believe that, they need only a draw to qualify... Playing with many people behind the ball a low-scoring game is the most possible outcome, but a 5-0 ofcourse would be better

only Tudor and Prso are doubtfull

yep,but these two are key players and with 3rd key player Rapaic who is without club,I don't see too much chances for Croatia.Simons,Van Buyten,Sonck and others will win,I'm sure.

But,is Emile Mpenza on the bench?

Anybody knows if Spain and Ukraine are going to play with their best players, or are there any injuries?
I think Spain is going to get a clear victory anyway, but I'd be happy to know that Sheva and Rebrov are missing again .

@ qlpol,

its normal for the press to pump up the atmosphere with some unrealistic schemes,same thing is happening here in Croatia,but here one can read how Bulgaria will be defeated with 3-0 and Croatia will be first,and the match with Belgium hasn't even started yet.So obviously many think that Belgium is without real chances to qualify,but that's exactly what is dangerous.
And what if Croatia lose today?Than every win in the last round would be good,but now for 2-nd place.And they'll pump the atmosphere once again.It's their job to sell everything,even dreams but,so be it!
At the end of the day,it'll be what has to be.
Enjoy the game!

Seems like Croatia has also a nearly full squad, only Tudor and Prso are doubtfull...

Tudor will not play from the start,but he can play,he's just not fit yet for all 90 mins.As for Prso,he could start from the beginning but it seems that coach will give advantage to Ivica Mornar (Anderlecht) because of his knowledge of Belgium players and his better form.But,Prso will most probably play in the second half.
As for mentioned Rapaic,he's without a club but this guy could be on drugs and he'll still be the best. After this match Deflandre will recommend him to his boss in Lyon.:smokin

Still,it's a derby

Belgium v. Croatia?????

Belgium v. Croatia?????

???

Look at your map perhaps?

Look at your map perhaps?

???

Kojic, the term "derby" usually refers to either...

a) a geographical closeness between the two teams in question or
b) a long history of rivalry between the two teams in question

Neither of which seems to apply to Belgium v. Croatia.

I know it sounds crazy but look at this article I found in todays Daily Record.

Faroes v Lithuania (Home win ??)
Price 3.50 - 3.80 generally

FOOTBALL: NO-HOPERS LITH ARE SNUBBED BY STARS Sep 10 2003

LITHUANIA manager Algimantas Liubinskas believes players are snubbing his country after their Euro 2004 hopes were dashed.

The Baltic side can no longer reach the play-offs and are without a host of players for tonight's Group Five tie intheFaroeIslands.

Several key stars have withdrawn claiming injury, while Torpedo Moscow defender Mantas Samusiovas turned down the invitation to play.

Liubinskas said: ``I think there could be a link between the lack of enthusiasm and the fact we have no real chance left.

``It was never going to be an easy game against the Faroes, but this situation has made it far more difficult.''

It's not really important to what term "derby" usually applies,its not like its written on stone,this is important match for both sides,and it's crucial for Belgium so that's the point.Sometimes it's more useful to look perhaps on table of standings than on geographical map.And don't forget that Belgium was humiliated in Zagreb so here is a revenge factor as well. So,yes,it's a derby or whatever you like to call it.

DH,I know what "derby" means. But don't give me some philosophy now.I use this word for any big and important match,like this.There is "General chat",open a new tread and discuss what "derby" means.Who call Barca-Espanyol as a derby anymore,or Arsenal-Fulham?"Derby" has a different meaning now,not just for me.And Belgium - Croatia is a derby in group 8!