Group 4

[Saraj Fanatico]

Group 4:

Germany
Russia
Finland
Wales
Azerbaijan
Liechtenstein



Thoughts? Are you happy with the draw your nation got? What will be the exciting match up in this one? What are your teams chances of making it? Share your thoughts!

[COMEGATOS]

A predictable group...

Germany and Russia

[Lusankya]

I wouldn't ignore Finland, they are able to finish this group as second.

[Andygers]

Wales are going to find it hard again......real shame :(.

[Andygers]

I wouldn't ignore Finland, they are able to finish this group as second. I agree they did pretty well in their euro 2008 group.

[Italianduke]

Depend if Hiddink will be on charge or not.

Finland might do well

[shevafan]

Depend if Hiddink will be on charge or not.

Finland might do well
yeah if hiddink isnt there, russia will be like 4th

[misteradelaide]

Depending on Russia's performance in the Euro, Hiddink might leave for another underachieving team with lots of money. That's his style.

[Andygers]

Depending on Russia's performance in the Euro, Hiddink might leave for another underachieving team with lots of money. That's his style. lol, so England then????

[misteradelaide]

lol, so England then????

nice one :lol:

[misteradelaide]

just read that Hiddink extended his contract with Russia until 2010, so I guess he will try to take them to South Africa (then move to England if they keep losing to Croatia).

[Andygers]

Yeah Russia are a good team and Hiddink is a good coach but Russia rely on their home form too much and could struggle against Wales and Finland.

[misteradelaide]

Finland hosting Russia should be intense and the Fins despise Russians with a passion. I don't think Wales should be too much of an obstacle to be honest.

[Andygers]

Wales are a weird team, one year they are great, next year they are very poor. One year they defeated us 4-0, next year they lost 5-1 to Slovakia. So on that theory they will win 4-0 against Russia :)

[wales]

Yeah we might surprise a few. (no one gives a chance) but thats kind of good.

[stuglue]

Not with Toshack in charge,or the fact that you don't have any real talent NOW.
Germany v Russia,i bet that's a passionate match,but Russia don't travel well,guess they'll have to rely on the plastic ice rink sorry pitch to get points at home.
Roy Hodgson is doing good things with Finland so they should be Germany's only real close opponents

[wales]

Your English lol, I dont want to hear your opinions.

[wales]

We have a young side, theres probably just as much talent coming through our ranks as England atm.

[stuglue]

Well i'll be watching Euro 2008 as a spectator,just like Gary Neville and co.:lol:

[stuglue]

We have a young side, theres probably just as much talent coming through our ranks as England atm.
So you think Toshack will be in charge come next September?

[wales]

Yeah, why wouldnt he be?

[stuglue]

He seems to have a "strained" relationship with both the players and the fans.Its only a matter of time

[wales]

Not sure about that, he will try to get us to 2nd place in this group, the draw could have been much worse.

[Lusitânia Power]

Germany and Russia for the 1st place, although I would like to see Finland and Wales to give more fight, to these 2 countries, let's hope for that

[Jadhu]

My prediction: 1=Germany, 2=Russia, 3=Finland, 4=Wales, 5=Azerbaidjan, 6=Lietenchstein

Well I hope Finland would be in top 2 and would qualify to World cup 2010. Thanks to the euro2008 qualifiers football became a lot more popular in Finland than before.

[SiN]

Germany, which has lost only two of the 64 World Cup qualifiers they have played, should top the group with Russia finishing ahead of Finland and Wales. Finland, however, had an outside chance of reaching the finals of Euro 2008 until the last round of games. Germany beat Wales 2-0 and drew 0-0 with them in their Euro 2008 qualifying group.

[Vic]

1- Germany
2- Russia

[wales]

Wales have no chance then?

[stuglue]

It's a tough group for Wales,having to go to Germany and Russia will be very hard on them,and Finland are much improved defensively under Hodgson i expect 4th spot for them

[wales]

Ok. We will see.

[Fenerliyim]

germany and russia should take 1 and 2 respectively, but Finland might cause russia problems

[Jadhu]

Even if Finland will be the #2 of the group we wouldn't make it past the playoff for the 2nd's of group thing.. So anyways Finland is not going to World Cup(Most likely never when I will be living)

[Jadhu]

Finland will be 4th... Or even worse in the group... Team Finland's coach Hogdson is going to coach Inter Milan.. so we Finland doesn't have a proper coach at the moment.. So most likely Finland will go back to the same level as it has used to be in :) Well.. I hope in future we can see Finland in eurocup and worldcup...

[Jadhu]

Most likely Germany will win all matches in this group. Russia might get a draw with them at home. Russia will have little problems with wales. And Finland might be the team to take crucial points out from russia to make Wales #2. Well.. really hard to tell yet.

[emode]

germany and russia should take 1 and 2 respectively, but Finland might cause russia problems
I agree with the first part abt germany and russia will take the first and second spot. This is really an easy group for Germany :)

[nachi88]

This group is certainly not very difficult, and it could have been much worse for us. But having said that, I will have to state that this group is no walkover.

Playing Russia and Finland away will be very difficult. I remember that we needed a win in the last game of the WC02 qualifiers (the game after the 5-1 loss :yell: ), and we hit all parts of the Finnish goal except the goal.
If we play to our potential, this group is a cakewalk, else it could be very very tricky.

[wales]

Here is the Fixtures:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2010_FIFA_World_Cup_qualification_-_UEFA_Group_4

[Andygers]

I can see Wales taking only 12 points from this group:

Liechtenstien win x2 6pts
Azerbaijan win + draw 10pts
Finland Draw 11pts
Russia Draw 12pts

[wales]

probably right hope your wrong though

[wales]

Scotland have things far easier 1 less team and an easier group I think Scotland will get 2nd.

[Andygers]

Hmm maybe but we will face a test up against Macedonia and Norway, so it might not be that easy.

[wales]

i think you can get 1st over the netherlands

[Blaz3]

i think you can get 1st over the netherlands

Well if the Dutch perform like they did tonight against Italy, that is unlikely.

[I Am Legend]

i think you can get 1st over the netherlands

That is highly unlikely...The Dutch will spank Scotland home and away.

[Gunner]

loving the new avatar dupont lol

[vojvoda]

1. Deutchland Ofcourse
2. Mother Russia

[DahmiDeutscher]

I think Germany has a moderate-difficulty group to play in, and they certainly have a good chance of finishing first or second. I became a bit of a fan of Russia after watching them demolish Holland in Euro, so my hope would be for Germany to finish first and Russia to finish second. Germany vs Russia will definitely be the most exciting game.

[stuglue]

[Germany] Germany 4 3 1 0 12 4 10
[Russia] Russia 3 2 0 1 6 3 6
[Wales] Wales 4 2 0 2 4 3 6
[Finland] Finland 3 1 1 1 4 6 4
[Azerbaijan] Azerbaijan 3 0 1 2 0 2 1
[Liechtenstein] Liechtenstein 3 0 1 2 0 8 1

Germany as predicted. Dont let Wales' lofty position fool you. 2 victories against Azerbaijan and Liechtenstein only mask the real deficiencies they have.

[wales]

spot on stuglue, Wales out of the reckoning now.

[Elia.A.]

in two days Finland - Russia...one of the decisive matches for both teams...if Finland wins than Germany will breath out and play with more confidence finishing first...if Russia (I hope) than Russia - Germany will be decisive for the first spot...

So far how Russia played against Lichtenstein made me a bit nervous and uncertain about the first spot...but if the Russia will perform like against Finland than Russia will be first in the group...

GO RUSSIA, GO!!!

[Elia.A.]

1 Germany 16 6 5 1 0 18 4 14
2 Russia 12 5 4 0 1 9 3 6
3 Finland 10 5 3 1 1 8 7 1
4 Wales 9 7 3 0 4 5 7 -2
5 Azerbaijan 1 5 0 1 4 0 5 -5
6 Liechtenstein 1 6 0 1 5 1 15 -14

Russians are better in defence than any in the group...

[Ronni]

I think the key match will be Russia playing in Wales.
If Russia win, they'll play Germany at home needing a victory, which would be enough for them. And this is possible ... and also likely!

Both still play Azerbaijan away, and I count on a victory of both, so that this won't make any difference.

So Russia's match in September in Wales will define if the giants clash in October will count for anything or if it will be a friendly, with Germany virtually qualified.

After what I saw from them in the Euro, I'd really like to see Russia back to the WC.

[Elia.A.]

1 Germany 16 6 5 1 0 18 4 14
2 Russia 15 6 5 0 1 12 3 9
3 Finland 10 6 3 1 2 8 10 -2
4 Wales 9 7 3 0 4 5 7 -2
5 Azerbaidjan 1 5 0 1 4 0 5 -5
6 Lichtenstein 1 6 0 1 5 1 15 -14

latest standings

RRRRRUSSSSSIAAAAAA, GOOOO!

[stuglue]

Only a miracle will see Finland grab second spot. This group is over. Its just a case of who gets automatic qualification.

[wales]

yeah your right. Easy in the end.

[Lusankya]

It's not easy, because the second place means nothing.
I wish we could have some harder opponents, which are capable of stealing some points from Russia. I mean Germany could end with 25 points and still be second, while 25 points should be enough to finish first in every other group.

[wales]

Wales were unlucky against Russia 3-1 flattered them.

[stuglue]

i was really cheering for wales last night 1 - 0 up. sadly russia weather an early second half onslaught from wales and took all 3 points.
Even more depressing for Wales fans is that national games are being moved from the millenium stadium due to lack of interest.

[wales]

yeah it makes sense moving them though.

[Elia.A.]

This is finally it, 10th of October the decider...Mother Russia VS German Machine. this is going to be hell of a game...Only Semak is not fit to play, as far as I am concerned...Zhirkov and Arshavin are play makers...Bilyaledinov will send Aerial balls, which are very accurate...I hope Bystrov will play according to his Name, In case someone doesn't understand, Bystrov is Fast in English...and he is pretty speedy...Akinfeev ranked 5th by the IFFHS in the latest polls...Arshavin should not be presented at all...everyone seen him in action with Arsenal, clearly the best in the squad...Kolodin the cannon shot man is back in the squad...So we got full-house...besides bookmakers gave Russia - 2,4 bet and Germany - 2,85, which made Russians the favourites for the clash...

I am for Russia, they deserve to go in automatically.

GOOOOO RRRRUUUUUSSSSSIIIIIIIAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Elia.A.]

1 Germany 22 8 7 1 0 24 4 20
2 Russia 21 8 7 0 1 18 4 14

[Baby Face Nelson]

I think Rusia has an excellent chance to win this game.

[Lusankya]

I think Rusia has an excellent chance to win this game.

Well they didn't convert the chance.
Foul was a penalty, but even if this results in a goal it would still have been a draw.

[wales]

good germany win

[BavarianRed]

1. Germany :D
2. Russia

[stuglue]

I watched the Wales V Finland game yesterday and saw why both teams couldn't offer serious threats to Russia and Germany, poor passing from both sides. What was even more worrying from a Welsh perspective was that the Finnish team had a lot of 30+ players in the team yet they it was the Welsh team that ran out of steam in the second half, and they have a younger team.

[wales]

I watched the Wales V Finland game yesterday and saw why both teams couldn't offer serious threats to Russia and Germany, poor passing from both sides. What was even more worrying from a Welsh perspective was that the Finnish team had a lot of 30+ players in the team yet they it was the Welsh team that ran out of steam in the second half, and they have a younger team.

yeah, well said.

[BavarianRed]

Stuglue, but Germany has never beaten Finland in our history but hopefully on wednesday we could end that streak so the fins can be less cocky because when was the last time they were at a world cup :lol: Finland team is not bad I remember they took Germany to the wire in finland when we played that 3-3 draw but that game our defense messed up really badly and our keeper was so shit but now we have the right keeper in the name of Adler :smoking:

[stuglue]

Don't get me wrong I don't think Finland are a bad team, just that the best days for them are now gone.
Its going to be a major overhaul required for them after the qualifiers, Litmanen will be gone, as well as Hyppia, Kolkka, Forsell, Johansson, thats a lot of experience to replace.

[Saraj Fanatico]

I totally underestimated Germany's power vs Russia. Well done Germany and congrats Bavarian.

[Lusankya]

Stuglue, but Germany has never beaten Finland in our history

What do you mean?

Statistic vs Finland:

21 matches, 15 victories 5 draws 1 defeat

[BavarianRed]

What do you mean?

Statistic vs Finland:

21 matches, 15 victories 5 draws 1 defeat

Well where i live they said on tv that Germany hasnt beatin finland in a competitive match don't know if this is true or not but thats what people are saying? maybe you know something more than me.. I know that from the last few qualifiers we havent beatin them but it always seems that we have trouble with the fins ;)

[BavarianRed]

I totally underestimated Germany's power vs Russia. Well done Germany and congrats Bavarian.

I think everyone excepted Germany to lose but the coach switched the formation so we can attack more instead of sit back and wait until Russia attacks, In the first half we were all over them but we just couldn't convert but when we went up 1-0 we sat back in the 2nd half and Russia could of easy won the game since they were denied a clear penalty towards the end so imo a 1-1 would of been a more fair result..

[Lusankya]

Well where i live they said on tv that Germany hasnt beatin finland in a competitive match don't know if this is true or not but thats what people are saying? maybe you know something more than me.. I know that from the last few qualifiers we havent beatin them but it always seems that we have trouble with the fins ;)
Well, the last three qualifiers were draws, but we won both group matches in the EURO 2000 qualification, the 1990 world cup qualification and the 1982 world cup qualification for example.

04.09.1999
Helsinki (FIN) Finnland - Deutschland
EM-Qualifikation 1:2
31.03.1999
Nürnberg Deutschland - Finnland
EM-Qualifikation 2:0
04.10.1989
Dortmund Deutschland - Finnland
WM-Qualifikation 6:1
31.08.1988
Helsinki (FIN) Finnland - Deutschland
WM-Qualifikation 0:4
23.09.1981
Bochum Deutschland - Finnland
WM-Qualifikation 7:1
24.05.1981
Lahti (FIN) Finnland - Deutschland
WM-Qualifikation 0:4

http://www.dfb.de/index.php?id=500000&no_cache=1&action=showRivalBalance&liga=Nationalmannschaft&gegner=dfbat8&lang=D&cHash=c4bd07216b

[BavarianRed]

Well, the last three qualifiers were draws, but we won both group matches in the EURO 2000 qualification, the 1990 world cup qualification and the 1982 world cup qualification for example.

04.09.1999
Helsinki (FIN) Finnland - Deutschland
EM-Qualifikation 1:2
31.03.1999
Nürnberg Deutschland - Finnland
EM-Qualifikation 2:0
04.10.1989
Dortmund Deutschland - Finnland
WM-Qualifikation 6:1
31.08.1988
Helsinki (FIN) Finnland - Deutschland
WM-Qualifikation 0:4
23.09.1981
Bochum Deutschland - Finnland
WM-Qualifikation 7:1
24.05.1981
Lahti (FIN) Finnland - Deutschland
WM-Qualifikation 0:4

http://www.dfb.de/index.php?id=500000&no_cache=1&action=showRivalBalance&liga=Nationalmannschaft&gegner=dfbat8&lang=D&cHash=c4bd07216b

Deutschland 1-1 Finnland :mad2:
why do we always have trouble playing against the fins? is it because they always give their hearts against us? Do they hate has that much to always go all on Germany? We really should of won this game but i guess we always seem to under estimate them for some odd reason, if other weaker teams can beat Finland with not much problem than why cant we beat them? ;)

[Lusankya]

No, just watch the other matches of already qualified teams.
England lost to Ukraine
Italy nearly lost to Cyprus
Russland 1:1 Azerbaijan
Denmark 0:1 Hungary
Serbia lost to Lithuania
Brazil lost to Bolivia
Cote d'Ivore got only a draw
Ghana lost

It's still funny, if you look at our last 4 matches vs Finland:
2:2
0:0
3:3
1:1

So what's coming next? :D

[wales]

a defeat? lol

[Lusankya]

Yup
12.08.1923
Dresden Deutschland - Finnland 1:2

:(

Well, we were Minnows back then. :P

[BavarianRed]

Yup
12.08.1923
Dresden Deutschland - Finnland 1:2

:(

Well, we were Minnows back then. :P

But this was a while back so its all good and this game was meaningless for us but i still cant get over that 3-3 draw against them, luck was on the fins side again :sad:

[Lusankya]

So we need to draw them in the EURO 2012 qualifiers to take revenge!
:P

[wales]

haha, the draw is in Feb I believe.