Euro 2008 - A look at the group standings

Croatia remain in control at the top of European Championship qualifying Group E following a comprehensive 6-0 away victory over Andorra.  The win keeps England chasing as they were able to grab 2 wins on the week but still train Croatia.  Surprising Poland still leads Group A as Portugal chase.  The biggest surprise remains Group B though where minnows Scotland continue to lead over powers Italy and France.

Group A --
Poland  21,  Finland  19,  Portugal  17,  Serbia  16
Poland continues to hold onto the top spot after earning draws with both Finland and Portugal on the road this week.  Portugal sits 4 points back but has a game in hand which could vault them over Finland.  Poland look to be favorites to advance as they have 2 home games remaining against bottom half teams before finishing at Serbia.  Portugal should be able to get over Finland and claim the other spot at Euro 2008 as they have 3 bottom feeders still on the schedule. It could come down to the last game though as Finland visits Portugal on the last day of qualifying.

Group B --
Scotland 21,  Italy 20,  France 19
It's become a three team race as surprising Scotland still sits ahead of world powers Italy and France.  Italy jumped over France thanks to their 2-1 win in the Ukraine Wednesday while Scotland upset France in Paris.  With 2 home games left in their last 3 Scotland looks to grab a spot in the finals while Italy and France vie for the other spot.  Italy will probably have to win in Scotland to grab a spot.

Group C --
Greece 19,  Norway 17,  Turkey 17
Greece and Turkey look to be the two favorites to advance from this group as Norway has played an extra match thus far.   Turkey still has work ahead of them to qualify.  Big matches looming next month as Greece has to visit Turkey and Norway gets Turkey at home.

Group D --
Germany 22, Czech 20,  Ireland 14
This group looks to be decided as Germany and the Czech Republic are solidly ahead.  Irish hopes were dashed this week when they lost to the Czechs and could only manage a draw in Slovakia.  Ireland will have to beat Germany at home next month to have any hope, but even then it is very doubtful the Irish can catch either ahead of them.

Group E --
Croatia 23,  England 20,  Russia 18, Israel 17
England has climbed into a good spot while Croatia continues to push the group.  England was able to grab a pair of solid home wins this week, but huge matches at Russia and at home to Croatia still loom on the schedule.  If Russia can defeat England at home the English will be in danger of not qualifying.

Group F --
Sweden 19,  Spain 19,  Northern Ireland 16,  Denmark 14
Sweden is in control of the group given the fact they have played one less match than Spain, but Spain controls their own destiny as their final 3 games are against the other 3 top.   Sweden should be ok to qualify as they have Latvia and Liechtenstein still on the schedule.

Group G --
Romania 20,  Holland 20,  Bulgaria 18
Romania and Holland have a stranglehold on the group as their closest competition Bulgaria has played an extra match.  A last gasp goal from Van Nistelrooy allowed Holland to grab the points from a fiesty Albanian squad yesterday.