Europe’s race for ten fixed places at the winter world championship next year is about to finish. Before the upcoming doubles round, real “finals” will be announced in three groups on the last day of the match. Spain against Sweden, Russia against Croatia and Portugal against Serbia are the duels. European champions Italy want to make everything clear on Friday. With Germany and Denmark, only two places have been allocated to Qatar.
Spain would definitely leave third-placed Greeks behind with a win in Athens. Sweden has already made a guest appearance in Georgia before that and would like to defend the top of the table. If it goes on paper, there will be a real final for the World Cup on Sunday. Spain then receives the Swedes in Seville. The second still has the chance of the play-off next spring. Three more World Cup tickets will be awarded among twelve teams.
Even the otherwise unshakable Spain team boss Luis Enrique said before the qualifying doubles: “To be honest, I can feel the pressure. Even more than in the Nations League final tournament. After all, it’s about participating in the World Cup. ” With Dani Carvajal, Enrique nominated a professional from Real Madrid for the first time since March. In the first duel with the Greeks, the Iberians only scored 1-1.
The Swedes are counting on Zlatan Ibrahimovic again. The 40-year-old star striker was confident as always, but made no demands. “Everyone wants to play. But I’m here as a member of the team. ” Team boss Janne Andersson will decide. “Ibra” returned to the national team in March after a five-year break. However, he missed the EM due to an injury.
The duel between Serbia and Portugal for first place will also be decided on Sunday. The Serbs who are currently ahead in one game have to compete in Lisbon. Portugal could be enough in front of their home crowd if Cristiano Ronaldo and Co. prevail in Ireland on Thursday. The Irish are only fourth in the table behind Luxembourg. Meanwhile, Serbia is warming up in Belgrade against World Cup hosts Qatar.
Russia and Croatia are one and two in their group. The Russians, who are two points ahead, will be in Split on Sunday. Both teams have compulsory tasks to warm up: Russia will play at home against Cyprus on Thursday, the Croatians are in action in Malta. Luka Sucic, who was born in Linz and plays for Salzburg, will be there. The 19-year-old midfielder played for the Croatian senior team for the first time in October.
Germany and Denmark have already bought their World Cup tickets. The Danes plan to win number nine in the ninth qualifying game in the Austria group in their home game against the Faroe Islands. In the first leg they struggled to win 1-0 against the Inselkicker. Germany is in action against Liechtenstein in Wolfsburg. The corona infection of Niklas Süle has shaken up the personnel list of national coach Hansi Flick. In addition to the defender, the contacts Joshua Kimmich, Serge Gnabry, Jamal Musiala and Karim Adeyemi had to leave. Before the game there is another appearance by Joachim Löw. The 61-year-old who resigned after the EM failure will be officially adopted.
The reigning European champion also wants to have the World Cup ticked off directly. Italy will host Switzerland at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome. After six games, both teams hold at 14 points. In the goal difference according to FIFA rules, the Italians are just ahead of the Swiss (plus 9) with plus 11. In the event of a draw in a direct duel, it could therefore be about every hit in the last round. The Italians will then make a guest appearance in Northern Ireland, Switzerland will play against Bulgaria in Lucerne. With goalkeeper Philipp Köhn, Bryan Okoh and Noah Okafor there are three Salzburg professionals in the team of the “Nati”. In Italy, the injured center forward Ciro Immobile is missing.
England face Albania on Friday in London. Poland, who is three points behind, has planned three points in Andorra. Belgium and France are only in action on Saturday. The Belgians are on schedule at the World Cup with a home win against Estonia. The same applies to world champions France in Paris against Kazakhstan. The starting position is more complicated in Group G with the Netherlands (19 points), Norway (17) and Turkey (15). Again, the decision should be made in the last round. The Dutch will play against the Norwegians in Amsterdam on Tuesday. Turkey is deployed in Montenegro.
From: apa
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