A World Cup without France? Could happen.
    How about Germany failing to qualify? It's possible.
    And will the South African fans be truly pleased if Cristiano Ronaldo is watching their big show from some beach resort rather than kicking a ball for Portugal next summer?
    These are among the issues that will be decided over the next four rounds of UEFA qualifying, the two this week which will complete the group stages in Europe and the playoffs for the final four spots to be determined in November.

    Start with the game of the week.  It's in Moscow Saturday where Russia and Germany clash with Group IV leadership at stake. The Germans will start with a one point lead, but defeat could send them into the playoffs and who knows what might happen then. Guus Hiddink has a remarkable World Cup qualifying and finals record, having taken both Australia and South Korea much farther than expected. He's got a much higher level of talent now so you can imagine German fans aren't relishing this upcoming game.
    No matter what happens Saturday, both face another fixture next Wednesday. Germany hosts Finland while Russia will wrap up its campaign at Azerbaijan.

    The fate of the French will almost certainly be decided in the playoffs. They start the final rounds four points behind Serbia, which can clinch its place in South Africa by defeating Romania at home on Saturday. France has the Faroe Islands and Austria as its final two opponents and can make sure of second place by defeating the Faroes Saturday. Should Serbia slip, they would have another chance to win Group VII at Lithuania on Oct. 14.

    Here's quick look at all of the UEFA Groups:
    I: Denmark has a three-point lead on Sweden, whom they host Saturday in Copenhagen. Portugal and Hungary are tied for third, two points back of the Swedes, and meet each other Saturday in Portugal. If the Danes and Portuguese win it's odds-on that the Portuguese would at least finish second because they wrap up their campaign at home against Malta on Wednesday. All bets are off if Sweden wins in Denmark. That would make their final home game against Albania and the Danes' home game against Hungary a straight battle for first and could leave Portugal on the outside no matter how they finish.
    II: Switzerland leads Greece and Latvia by three points and finishes at Luxembourg Saturday, then home against Israel on Wednesday. If they win out they will qualify. Greece and Latvia face each other Saturday with the playoff spot likely at stake.
    III: Slovakia is five points ahead of Slovenia and can wrap up the group with a win when they meet on Saturday. Northern Ireland is tried for second with the Slovenes and will be hoping for a Slovakian win. That would keep the playoff spot open 'til the final night when Slovenia goes to San Marino and Northern Ireland visits the Czech Republic. Oh yes, the Czechs host Poland Saturday and could jump about both the Slovenes and the Irish with a win and a Slovenian loss. Then it would the Czechs' controlling their fate against Northern Ireland. Obviously, plenty to play for here.
    IV: This one is down to Germany and Russia [see above]
    V: Spain has already qualified.
    Second place is between Bosnia-Herzegovina and Turkey with the Bosnians able to control their destiny in Estonia on Saturday. Failure in Estonia would open the door for the Turks because the finale for the Bosnians is at home against unbeaten Spain. Turkey is at Belgium Saturday and finishes at home against Armenia, but needs all kinds of help to see the playoffs.
    VI: England has qualified.
    The big one here is Saturday's England visit to Ukraine. The home team must win to p**** Croatia in the battle for second. The Croats start two points ahead, but they are idle on Saturday. If Ukraine can win, they would then head to Andorra on Wednesday in second place. Croatia finishes at Kazakhstan on Wednesday.
    VII: This is Serbia's section to lose [see above]
    VIII: Italy has a four-point edge on the Republic of Ireland as they travel to Dublin for a Saturday match. A draw -- do the Italians ever play for draws? -- will be enough to get the defending World Cup winners safely into the last 32. Irish eyes must surely be fixed on second place. They are five points clear of Bulgaria and have another home game, against Montenegro next Wednesday, should they need points that night to be sure.
    IX: Holland qualified and Norway finished second in this already-finished section. The Norwegians are hoping they get a sniff at the playoffs, but that's down to the slide rules and tie-breakers when all of the second place teams are known. Only eight runners-up go forward and the chance remains that Norway won't be one of them.

END BLOG FOR THURS 8 OCT

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