The Soccer Thread

[bukie]

So for those scoring at home, root for Poland, Turkey and Slovenia (and the US, obv) today.

[bukie]

Another fun scenario is that Croatia doesn't even qualify for the playoff if Denmark can out-win Bulgaria by 8 goals today. Denmark is home vs Malta.

[bukie]

Ghana shredding Egypt's defense early, 2-0 twenty minutes in.

[bukie]

Egypt drew a penalty in the 41st minute and converted, but Ghana scored again.

[wolf stansson]

Excited about this kid:

 

@BrianSciaretta: American mid Junior Flores starting for Borussia Dortmund's first team today in friendly against Cologne. BVB up 1-0

[bukie]

Well, at this rate they could play the return leg with 6 Ghana players and still qualify. 6-1 Ghana in second half injury time.

[wolf stansson]

Sigi Schmid better figure his roster out before Joe Roth backs up the Brinks truck for Bradley.

[bukie]

Jozy Altidore named captain for tonight's game.

[bukie]

Denmark and Malta are under way...and Denmark scores right away. 1 down, at least 8 to go.

[bukie]

Denmark and Malta are under way...and Denmark scores right away. 1 down, at least 8 to go.

Denmark converts a penalty in the 11th minute to go up 2-0.

[Guest]

4-0 at the half. Only 5 to go.

[bukie]

Bulgaria concedes an away goal to Czech Republic, so Denmark might make it without the 9 goals now.

[bukie]

The ever-so-slim hopes of the US getting a seed are almost dead, as both the Netherlands and Switzerland are winning.

[CubInOK]

I see Scotland leading Croatia now. Hope that stands.

[bukie]

Russia and Bosnia-Herzegovina have qualified for the World Cup. Portugal, Sweden, Greece and the Spain/France runner-up have clinched spots in the playoff. England is in at least the playoff, but will have to win to win the group. Ukraine is in at least the playoff as long as they don't blow a 3-0 lead vs a San Marino team that has scored a grand total of one goal in all of qualifying.

[bukie]

England now up 1-0 on Poland at the half.

[bukie]

Denmark wins 6-0 and is still in trouble because Croatia is going to somehow end up with more second-place points (by 1). Iceland qualifies for the playoff with a draw at Norway.

[bukie]

Romania also qualifies for playoff.

 

Up to the minute UEFA qualification:

 

Qualified: Belgium (Group A), Italy (Group B), Germany (Group C), Netherlands (Group D), Switzerland (Group E), Russia (Group F), Bosnia and Herzegovina (Group G)

Yet to qualify: Group H (England with a win, Ukraine with an England draw/loss), Group I (Spain with a draw/win or France draw/loss, France with win + Spain loss + 3 goal differential makeup)

 

Playoffs: Greece (19 pts), Portugal (15), Ukraine (15)/England (13+), France (14+)/Spain (17+), Sweden (14+), Iceland (14), Romania (13), Croatia (11+)

[wvcbxl]

1-0 to Belgium and the party has started.

Time to bring in 17yr old Bakkali :D

[bukie]

Seed update:

- USMNT can no longer get a seed since both Netherlands and Switzerland won.

 

Seed pecking order: Brazil, Spain, Germany, Argentina, Belgium, Colombia, Uruguay/Italy/Netherlands

 

Italy in a seemingly meaningless draw v Armenia could wind up screwing them.

[wvcbxl]

1-1 in Brussels after too many squandered chances.

 

Seeding should be in the bag though.

[bukie]

FT England 2-0 Poland

FT Spain 2-0 Georgia

 

England and Spain snag the last two auto qualifications for the World Cup, and the UEFA playoffs are settled:

 

Seeded: Portugal, Croatia, Greece, Ukraine

Unseeded: France, Sweden, Romania, Iceland

[CubInOK]

FT England 2-0 Poland

FT Spain 2-0 Georgia

 

England and Spain snag the last two auto qualifications for the World Cup, and the UEFA playoffs are settled:

 

Seeded: Portugal, Croatia, Greece, Ukraine

Unseeded: France, Sweden, Romania, Iceland

And everyone in the world is hoping France draw either Portugal or Croatia.

[bukie]

According to calculations, The Netherlands has the advantage for seeding over Italy: 1135.95 over 1135.61

 

Edit: Totally forgot Switzerland, who actually has 1138 points now.

 

So, the actual pecking order for seeds as of right now:

 

Clinched: Brazil (hosts), Spain (1513), Germany (1311), Argentina (1266 even with a loss today), Belgium (1249), Switzerland (1138)

Done playing, can still get seeds: Netherlands (1135.95), Italy (1135.61)

Still have games, can get seeds: Colombia (needs a W at Paraguay to finish higher than 1136), Uruguay (needs W vs Argentina to finish higher than 1136...and still needs to beat Jordan in playoff)

[wvcbxl]

Belgium (1249)

 

I have them at 1175 (but that doesn't change their ranking)