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Author: anita
Date: 02-09-2004, 19:05

Since there is a break in the EC now, I was wondering something about the WCQ-matches next days. Most teams seem to have one away and one home at first. But not England. They have chosen to meet Austria(4.9.04) and Poland(8.9.04) away. Knowing that neither Austria nor Poland are the sharpest knives nowadays, but isn't that a little risky?

Wales will meet Azerbaidzjan away and N-Ireland home. Next month England-Wales (9.10.04). Wales may have six points at that time, and England......2,3,4 ?. So vs. Wales in third match England may have lot of pressure on them. Wales and England have no secrets to each other, and if Wales win that match, England will probably have to trail Wales through most of the qualification.

Fourth match
Wales-Poland
Azerbaidzjan-England

Do anyone know if there is a particular reason that England have chosen to put themselves in this jeopardy?

Author: SHEV
Date: 02-09-2004, 21:26

Ukraine is forced to play two matches away too.And it was UEFA calendar draw. Our group is the only that have done this, because of turkish idiots. So Ukraine must play 4-th september in Denmark and 7-th in Kazakhstan(!!!) Great calendar

Hope we will not be late for second match

It's good that on 4-th we do not play Iceland for instance. One thing i'm happy about that Kazakhstan isn't really a team......i hope

Author: MichaelCollins
Date: 02-09-2004, 23:32

One half of me says that England took on that scheduling because they think they can beat anyone. Hey, if the Ukranians and Poles are allowed to make polite jibes at each other, there's little more I can say lol.

In all honesty, you have to pick what you can get. Scotland have two home games to start with against Slovenia and Norway. I believe the feeling is that if we don't win our home games we wont qualify anyway. Besides, 6 out of 6 might give us some confidence to run away with the group. No, sorry, its Scotland I am talking about here, sorry for my foolish thoughts.

Author: anita
Date: 02-09-2004, 23:49

Yeah, Michael, I think Scotlands reason for meeting their probably toughest opponents (for 2nd place) away first, is that Scotland want out of it as soon as possible, so they can start building up a new team for qualification to Euro2008.

Btw, don't underestimate Belarus. Talented young team coming up there.

And shev, isn't it OK to take that trip to the Kazakhs as soon as possible? Though, knowing that Ukraine are experts on losing points to weaker teams, it will be interesting. But seriously, the problem with Kazakhstan in group should be the long trip, not winning the match. Or?

Re: World Cup Qualfication-England
Author: MichaelCollins Date: 03-09-2004, 00:05	Hey, Anita, it has just twigged to me that we are in the same qualifying group. How about we both finish 1st/2nd and eliminate the Italians? Sounds good to me. Since that wont happen, I will diplomatically say this....I hope we kill your country. Its not personal, its just we've been starved from International CUps for too long. Especially with all that English gloating.

Re: World Cup Qualfication-England
Author: Todor Date: 03-09-2004, 08:49	@Anita If the teams in a group can not arrange the schedule , UEFA makes it through a draw. I think that migth be case for England's program.

Author: fenerli
Date: 03-09-2004, 08:58

@shev
I don't think it is a disadvantage to play two times away for ukraine because they surely will not play a role qualifiying for the world cup. their game depend to much from schevchenko and this is today not enough. and they always lose many points against weaker teams but this time the stronger teams are also too strong for ukraine. greece the european champ, denmark played very well in the championchip and turkey.

Author: mjwillan
Date: 03-09-2004, 10:45

These fixtures were arranged by the countries with no help from UEFA. England's euro2004 qualifiers had to be arranged by UEFA as the countries couldn't agree - that's why Turkey v England was the last match - I don't think England would have arranged that themselves!

It makes sense to play Austria and Poland away in the same week as there will be a similar week later with 2 home games and therefore less travelling. In fact with Wales and NI in the group England get most of the travelling out of the way early, hopefully making it easier later on.

Re: World Cup Qualfication-England
Author: Todor Date: 03-09-2004, 12:11	Yes , but losing some points at the start might make it a very nervous campaign.

Author: anita
Date: 03-09-2004, 12:14

If FIFA/UEFA had arranged Englands group, they would not have given England two away matches first. I presume this was Englands choice, probably in exchange for two home matches against Austria and Poland in the end.

And fenerli, yes, Ukraines group is the strongest group with four possible winners (and 2nd places). If Ukraine can avoid giving away points to weaker teams, they will be in there fighting for those two places. At least I am not counting them out BEFORE they start to play. And I will anyway think that Albania and possibly Georgia will give other teams than Ukraine a fight for the points. Albania beating Russia and drawing to Ireland at home in Euro04-Q, and losing on injury time to Ireland in Dublin. Soooo...

Author: SHEV
Date: 04-09-2004, 02:31

fenerli: and they always lose many points against weaker teams but this time the stronger teams are also too strong for ukraine.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Stronger then Spain, France and Germany? Lol

fenerli: greece the european champ, denmark played very well in the championchip and turkey.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Yeah and Turkey

losing to Belarus at home and earlier to Latvia. Great team

Greece

We have beaten them in last qualification, nothing special.

Clown. I guess Trabzon clown. You should have cryed a lot of tears week ago. We'll see everything in a match. Words are nothing, especially words spoken by the idiot turk with three years of education.

P.S. I'm not in really great mood today so don't make me mad, please

Author: anita
Date: 04-09-2004, 11:59

I mostly agree with you, shev. Mostly

If one count out one own countrys group, group 2 is the most interesting and open WCQ-group. The presumable weakest first-seeded and probably the strongest (along with Norway) four-seeded. Greece the surprising (and surprised!) Euro-champions, Turkey reigning WC-bronze medalist, and Denmark (E-champs-92)always hard to beat if they have "table presence". And Ukraine with noe merits at all. And of course match in the match, Turkey-Greece as 1000-years rivals.

And alas, fenerli, but none of the teams can bring their former medals or merits into this qualification. Turkey humiliated by Latvia in play-off, Greeks with massive pressure on their shoulders now, and Denmark with key players stepping out of national team. I too think that Ukraine will have trouble qualifying for WC-06, and their first test tonite vs. Denmark. Exciting!!

Re: World Cup Qualfication-England
Author: areksen Date: 04-09-2004, 23:01	not a good start for England drawing with Austria... after leading 2-0 in the 65th minute! Thanks to that and the Wales draw with Azerbaijan, Poland is now on top with a victory against N. Irland 3-0 {-- who would have thought after a 5-1 Polish loss a week earlier English stumble is bad but not as bad as Greece: The European Champs LOOSING to... ALBANIA 2-1, incredible, unbelivable!!!

Re: World Cup Qualfication-England
Author: Emperor Date: 05-09-2004, 00:26	In first squad of Poland there was a few players from Polish league that didn't have chance with Denmark. And that was the main reason why Poland played better than against Denmark.

Re: World Cup Qualfication-England
Author: anita Date: 05-09-2004, 01:28	areksen, I din't exactly predict Albanian win in former reply on this topic, but I warned about it. There are so narrow margins between the national teams. Greeces Euro04 win could just as well ended in elimination in group stage. And England is going to Poland now. Veeery interesting. Need at least one point there. Poland is going for three.

Author: areksen
Date: 05-09-2004, 01:54

Polish lineups
vs Denmark

Dudek (46 Boruc)
B�k, �ew�akow(46 Klos) Bosacki(63 G�owacki), Dudka,
Lewandowski, Kosowski(58 Gorawski), Krzyn�wek, Kukie�ka,
Niedzielan(69 Szymkowiak)Rasiak(46 Zurawski)

vs N Irland

Dudek
B�k, �ew�akow, G�owacki, Rz�sa,
Lewandowski, Zie�czuk, Mila (75,Radomski) Krzyn�wek (67, Gorawski)
W�odarczyk, �urawski (84, Krysza�owicz)

Plying Dudka, Bosacki and Kukielka vs Denmark was a mistake, playing two defensive midfielders(Kukla i Lewand.) stupid, but vs N Irland an unexpected change at left midfield Zienczuk in and Krzynowek at right insted of Gorawski, plus attack Zurawski and Wlodarczyk (Polish league players)... maybe Janas actually started to LOOk at current predisposition of plyers and not their names?? nee probably not!!!

TO ANITA

I wouldn't say that Poland is looking to get 3 points against England... i am certain that all the players and fans would take a point right now instead of playing for it!!! :-))))

Re: World Cup Qualfication-England
Author: anita Date: 05-09-2004, 02:39	Englands squad is trembling all the way to Chorzow. Some of the players have been told horror stories by their fathers about Poland vs. England in WC-qualifications. And they wonder; are our fathers nightmares coming back again to haunt us after all those years?

Author: squeal
Date: 05-09-2004, 10:22

No, Anita, you got that wrong. They're travelling to Chorzow yearning for revenge over their father's disgrace. Over the last thirty years the best young players from entire England were chosen and trained specifically for that task. Since their birth they were raised with that one match in mind, and now there's only one thing they know - they can tie with Austria, they can even lose to Wales and Azerbeijan... but they HAVE to beat Poland. The honour of entire Great Britain depends on it.

...
...I guess I have to give myself a break from martial arts movies and comics...

They're starting to seriously damage my brain...

Author: anita
Date: 05-09-2004, 14:16

Maybe same here, squeal. I went to a preview of Shrek 2 with my son and his wife yesterday. At 23.00 hour, so I didn't see the last half of Italy-Norway. According to papers today second half was the same as first half. Constant pressure from Italians where we just had enough getting the ball out of our zone.

Norway were slightly unbalanced because of couple of injuries on key players last days, but I think Italians played very efficient, offensive, entertaining football as well. No catenaccio there. So Norway were lucky to get away with 1-2.

Shrek rules

Re: World Cup Qualfication-England
Author: SHEV Date: 05-09-2004, 14:35	Nothing seems to be wrong for Ukraine as super-great- outstanding teams as fenerli thought of them - Turkey and Greece playing extremely bad. P.S. Anita, I watched Shrek 2 three months ago Piracy is great thing. Bought a DVD for about 2 dollars.

Re: World Cup Qualfication-England
Author: MichaelCollins Date: 06-09-2004, 01:10	Michael's wish list for Wednesday night Switzerland 1-2 Republic of Ireland Scotland 2-0 Slovenia (but any win will do) Poland 3-0 England Norway to lose to Belarus. (Hey, 2 loses in 2 games keeps one of our biggest rivals at bay for a while)

Re: World Cup Qualfication-England
Author: anita Date: 07-09-2004, 14:09	Be careful, Michael, Belarus is not in there just to fill up the group. Interesting btw, that Norway is second highest ranked on bookmakers in Europe, though fourth seeded in group. Well, neither they nor we decide the outcome. I hope...

Re: World Cup Qualfication-England
Author: MichaelCollins Date: 07-09-2004, 23:30	I know Belarus are a tough cookie, the sort of country Scotland lose 1-0 in. lol. Nothing personal, I just really want to see norway lose to them. Because Scotland needs that qualification spot.

Author: poll74
Date: 08-09-2004, 04:39

@squeal
When England lose or draw to Wales or Azerbeijan Poland can lose to England and win WCQ group anyway.

Match Calender was agreed between all Football Federations from our group.

Better play against England than Sweden or Spain. Match Poland vs. Danmark this is the Past. But a few months earlier Poland play against Italy (win 3:1), Serbia and Montenegro 4:3, Greece 1:0, and USA 1:1...but this is a past too.

Author: Kronsky
Date: 08-09-2004, 11:34

Everybody in media, including players themselves are talking about the victory against England. Even Tomaszewski thinks patriotic (2-1) saying that he wish polish will beat the better team of those two.

I still think that 1 point will be ok for Poland. Lets be honest. The struggle is about second place, not the first. Polish hopes that N. Ireland will win against England or simular is just rubbish, You cant calculate with that.

And to Anita: Dont You know about the ghousts on Slaski stadion?

Mr. Lato resently said that there is a difference between stadion now and before, when they beat England with 2-0 (1973)...the support! Nowerdays, polish supporters are not so united to support their players when hard times occure. Before, 60.000 peaple was united in great support to their team. For the opponents Slaski stadion was like hell, for polish players massive support that pushed them to ovecome difficulties. Lato said that You could nerely touch the support by Your hand, the air was so thick...

Regards
Kronsky

Re: World Cup Qualfication-England
Author: Kronsky Date: 08-09-2004, 11:38	and... they actually tryed to move the tribunes much closer to the playground in order to move the support closer. Fortunately for the english, the project did not succeed...

Re: World Cup Qualfication-England
Author: anita Date: 08-09-2004, 12:39	I hope Poland as underdog can make trouble for England, but I doubt it. Wlodarczyk (and Olisadebe) not playing tonite. And - without nostalgia - Polands team were - comparatively - far better in the Golden Age. England very rarely play for draw, but I think both countries will feel confident with one point each.

Re: World Cup Qualfication-England
Author: nesh Date: 08-09-2004, 12:43	LATO was polish scorer from WC 1974?

Author: Kronsky
Date: 08-09-2004, 19:53

Yes Nesh, Lato was polish scorer. But the best scorer in polish team was actually Lubanski, but I he was so badly injured in the match between Poland and England (WC qualifications in 1973)that his career was wasted. He was the biggest talent of them all (Lato, Szarmach, Gorgon, Deyna, Gadocha, Kasperczak (the Wisla coach) with more and later also Boniek). Lubanski was the leader.

regards
Kronsky

Re: World Cup Qualfication-England
Author: MichaelCollins Date: 08-09-2004, 23:43	Shame for the Poles tonight. Your guys scored a hell of a goal. But bloody typical England...always winning when you want them to lose! And before Anita beats me to it.....Scotland always draw their opening games in qualifying campaigns. We drew the 2nd seeds, you drew the 5th seeds. Smiles! And see you at Hampden next month when we beat you 3-0!

Re: World Cup Qualfication-England
Author: colo Date: 08-09-2004, 23:47	interesting group for france 4 teams with 4 points but i believe swizerland and israel are not good enough to keep up with france and ireland

Re: World Cup Qualfication-England
Author: nesh Date: 09-09-2004, 08:36	Colo i'm afraid you right but israel have great talant (BANYON) u can see also what he did to cyrpus ..... something BIG he is too young but i hope he will growing this campign and lead us (ISRAEL) next campign to WC he get good chance to be in the front line in europe next campign btw hope he will not loose his hair like LATO ....

Re: World Cup Qualfication-England
Author: anita Date: 09-09-2004, 11:51	In 1974 Polands attack Lato (7 goals), Szarmach (5 goals) and Gadocha (0 goals), Gadocha the genius behind most of the goals. So far in WCQ-06 Romania, Georgia, Slovakia, Switzerland, Italy, Austria, Lithuania and Croatia are going directly to WC, while Finland, Ukraine, Estonia Ireland, Slovenia, England, Serbia and Sweden seconds. Seems OK to me

Re: World Cup Qualfication-England
Author: arti Date: 09-09-2004, 13:37	Correction anita: There is Portugal in second instead of Estonia in group 3. And (as I have excel file for this prepared ) it is Portugal and Ireland which qualifies directly (as for now) from runners-up. The other six will play play-offs.

Author: arti
Date: 09-09-2004, 13:47

Furthermore I can give you the whole line-up of Germany 2006:

UEFA: Germany, Romania, Georgia, Slovakia, Switzerland, Italy, Austria, Lithuania, Croatia, Portugal, Rep. of Ireland, Slovenia, England, Sweden.
CAF: Togo, Ghana, C�te d'Ivoire, Nigeria, Guinea.
CONMEBOL: Brasil, Argentina, Paraguay, Chile, Ecuador.
CONCACAF: Mexico, USA, Honduras.
AFC: Japan, Iran, South Korea, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain.

It's all based on current results, though of course when it comes to play-offs it's simply chosing the higher ranked country in FIFA ranking

Re: World Cup Qualfication-England
Author: neill Date: 09-09-2004, 15:14	And you can be sure that the UEFA play-offs will see the higher ranked nations drawn against the lower ranked nations as these draws are always fixed.

Re: World Cup Qualfication-England
Author: anita Date: 09-09-2004, 16:44	yes, arti, Portugal not Estonia, I scribbled down that list when it was app. 15 minutes left of Portugal-Estonia (0-0) and Portugal had to win with two goals to pass Estonia. Btw, arti,I've made a (preliminary) MS Query on EC next season. Just contact me on yorickulf@hotmail.com, and I will send it to you (317 kB).

Author: Kronsky
Date: 09-09-2004, 17:26

And here we go again...

Polish should be ashamed by their support of the NT against England. But then maybee nobody belives in the team and Janas.

And Janas...once again showing lack off...everything?

Zewlakow in the defence, instead of Baszczynski,
Lewandowski in stead of Ebi Smolarek.

And Niedzielan or Rasiak? Not even a subject of team B.

Becouse Wlodarczyk was off and Olisadebe could not play, well then there are no more strikers to choise between that could do better?

Frankowski and Kuzba (both Wisla) are lot better and if You think that they are not goodh then skip second striker and get Ebi Smolarek to play offensive midfield.

I dont understand whats the hangup in Janas brain?

And everybody know that Ebi is playing very well in Feyenoord and Niedzielan is doing quite well in Nec. Vice versa, in Feyenoord Niedzielan would not even be on the bench and in Nec Ebi would be a STAR.

Can somebody tell me WHEN Poland will have a coach with some qualities, that can choose right players and choose "whatever-system" of playing futball???

Once again, polish team should look as follow:

Dudek - Rzaza, Bak, Baszczynski, Glowacki - Mila, Smolarek, Szymkowiak, Krzynowek, Kosowski/ Zienczuk - Zurawski.

Szymkowiak was ready to play, but Janas didnt include him in the team. There is no better polish player in central midfield than Szymkowiak. Kukielka? He is sitting on Wisla bench when Szymkowiak and Cantoro is playing...

Ye,ye,ye...cant just blame Janas...but how do You think that polish will play when they dont understand what the coach whant of them, dont belive in the coach and dont belive in victory together with him? Actually, most of players dont understand his decisions, but they must accept.

But ok, let Janas lead the team 2 more years and then somebody might understand what he whants and what he is doing. And Piechniczek...the "assistant" coach, the shadow of the shadows are helping Janas to see more clearly. Pathetic!

We do have at least 3 good coaches in Poland: Strejlau, Kasperczak and Engels.

Regards
Kronsky

Author: slanders
Date: 16-09-2004, 14:37

When the English saw their World Cup group drawn we were very happy for avoiding a group of death. I think the decision to play two away games first has paid off, as there was no big team to fear this time. If the gamble had failed then there was plenty of time to turn around the group with still all 5 home games and 2 away games near to England. Now I am confident of qualifying top and avoiding the banana skin of the play-offs.