I try to answer as many questions as possible but I know that I have missed a number over the last few days. As much as I would like to sit and blog most of the day, time is a problem and I am afraid that it is just not possible to answer every query that is posted.


UEFA World Cup Qualifying
Another off day at the European Championships and an opportunity to look ahead at World Cup qualifying in Europe that will get underway in less than eight weeks when Kazakhstan plays Andorra. The bulk of the game day one fixtures go on September 6.

There are eight groups of six countries and one of five. The group winners will qualify for the finals. The eight best runners-up will be qualify for a play-off round in which there will be four two-leg ties and the winners will qualify to play in South Africa in 2010.

In deciding the best runners up spots the eight groups of six will not have the results against the countries finishing bottom counted.

Group 1 Portugal, Sweden, Denmark, Hungary, Albania and Malta

Group 2 Switzerland, Greece, Israel, Moldova, Latvia and Luxembourg

Group 3 Czech Republic, Poland, Northern Ireland, Slovakia, Slovenia and San Marino

Group 4 Germany, Liechtenstein, Azerbaijan, Wales, Finland and Russia

Group 5 Turkey, Spain, Belgium, Bosnia Herzegovina, Armenia and Estonia

Group 6 Croatia, England, Ukraine, Belarus, Kazakhstan and Andorra

Group 7 France, Romania, Serbia, Austria, Lithuania and Faroe Islands

Group 8 Italy, Bulgaria, Republic of Ireland, Cyprus, Georgia and Montenegro

Group 9 Netherlands, Scotland, Norway, Macedonia FYR, and Iceland

Based on what you have seen over the last three weeks has your views changed on who might qualify from Europe?



Prediction Update
We are down to only two possible winners. LHJS currently has 36 points and Geniusatwork has 34 points. With ten points available to the tournament winner it comes down to Germany (LHJS) or Spain (Geniusatwork).

Whoever gets it wrong will drop down the standings as there are a significant number of people sitting with figures in the low 30s and with either Spain or Germany to win.

The unofficial prediction rabbit Carlos has fallen to the folly of allowing his heart to rule is head. He picked Portugal to beat Spain in the final and so he has stalled out at 42 points.


Comment of the Day
“WSC statisticians are also compiling a report on behalf of a secretive but influential global organisation that we are not at liberty to name. Findings include: Simone Perotta's birth in Ashton-under-Lyne has been mentioned a total of 15 times by the two TV channels and national radio; the local TV directors have missed live action while running a slow motion replay 23 times; the BBC panel have offered truisms disguised as analysis on 65 occasions; Alan Shearer has appended “for me” to his half-time comments on 19 occasions, conclusively establishing that the views expressed are his alone rather than those of the entire BBC production team in Vienna, or Geordies everywhere.” – When Saturday Comes on television coverage in the UK.


Stat Fact
The highest scoring European Championship final was in 1976 when Czechoslovakia and West Germany drew 2-2. In the penalty shoot-out Uli Hoeness’ spot kick cleared the crossbar with room to spare and then Antonin Panenka chipped the winner down the middle as Sepp Maier anticipated a shot to the corner.


True or False
Uli Hoeness was the last German player to miss a penalty in a shoot-out at a major international championship?