The six nations is over, that's right, it's not injury time anymore, it has definitely finished.
Here is my team of the tournament and Lions picks.
1 - Loosehead Prop: Rob Evans (Wales)
Zander Fagerson showed great promise for the future for Scotland, who missed WP Nel who was one of the players of the tournament last year. Joe Marler was good for England, especially considering his broken leg just a month before the tournament. However, Rob Evans was brilliant in the loose, making key yards, but also showcasing some great passing.
2 - Hooker: Ken Owens (Wales)
Owens has a peerless throw, only once being picked in the tournament. He also demonstrated good work in the loose. Rory Best and Dylan Hartley are likely to accompany him on the plane to New Zealand.
3 - Tighthead Prop: Tadhg Furlong (Ireland)
Furlong has been dominant in the scrum. There have been better plays in the loose, but none have been better in the scrum.
4 - Second row: Joe Launchbury (England)
England's lock positions are stocked with talent, which means it requires a good performance each game, to maintain your place. Launchbury has been colossal in his performances, making 85 tackles, more than anyone else in the championship and providing key go forward ball.
5 - Second row: Alun Wyn-Jones (Wales)
Wales' new captain hasn't been able to match his predecessors in terms of on field success, but he has lead by example and maintained his own high standards. He is likely to be picked to start for the Lions being a firm favourite of Warren Gatland's, and a leader on the field.
6 - Blindside flanker: CJ Stander (Ireland)
The back row positions especially 7. is one of the most hotly contested for Lions and in the Six nations team of 2017. Which is why, I have picked Stander at 6. However, Stander offers a key threat in the loose he's had 104 carries and beaten 14 defenders, although not as threatening as the likes of Warburton or Watson at the breakdown, his presence with ball in hand often puts his team on the front foot.
7 - Openside flanker: Justin Tipuric (Wales)
Gourdon has been a fantastic find for the French with his great work rate, Hamish Watson was key for the Scottish at the breakdown, but Justin Tipuric has a phenomenal work rate and made the second most amount of tackles (84) and his great dynamism is key in the flanker position.
8 - Number Eight: Louis Picamoles (France) / Lions - Billy Vunipola (England)
If only Picamoles could be a Lion, he is imperious in his strong running and carrying. He provided France with a key platform to attack again and again. No team was able to fully cope with his power and strength. Billy Vunipola would be my Lions starter, but he had very little time in the tournament to make an impact.
9 - Scrumhalf: Rhys Webb (Wales) / Lions - Connor Murray
A tough call, as it could easily have been Connor Murray, who had a good tournament, but missed half of the Wales game and all of the England game, Murray would be my Lions starter. Webb brings a bit more zip than Murray, and was key in providing Welsh momentum. Baptiste Serin looks like Lionel Messi, as well as looking like a great prospect for the future.
10- Fly-half: Jonny Sexton (Ireland)
Against Scotland, Ireland missed Jonny Sexton, Paddy Jackson played well, but Sexton brings a different level. As Brian O'Driscoll can attest to, the Lions will be targeted by New Zealand players, Sexton, who was peppered with cheap shots and late hits by England, is able to roll with the punches and keep his composure. George Ford was obviously also key to England, but Sexton's defence especially is the level above.
11 - Elliott Daly (England)
The try Elliot Daly scored against Wales will be remembered by England fans for a while. He made the most clean breaks of any England player, but Daly provides more than just speed. He has good all round footballing ability. He has the ability to kick penalties, as well as the nous, for example getting a touch on the ball before it went into touch on the full from an England kick to ensure key territory wasn't lost. For me he would be a certainty in the Lions squad as his versatility, he can play wing, centre or full back, mean he is ideal to cover the first XI.
12 - Inside centre: Owen Farrell (England)
Farrell is always competitive, he has an aggressive streak, which drives his game, and he thrives on competition. He was good with the boot, but outstanding alongside George Ford, in providing England with an attacking platform, which Daly and Joseph were able to thrive off of. Alex Dunbar deserves a notable mention as he was key in winning turnovers for Scotland.
13 - Outside centre: Gael Fickou (France) / Huw Jones (Scotland)
Outside centre was a tricky position to pick, Jonathan Joseph scored a hat-trick against Scotland but was anonymous in the other games, Garry Ringrose showed greater potential and promise, but Gael Fickou showed electric pace and skill, and Huw Jones provided Scotland with a potency in attack, breaking the gain line and scoring key tries, he would have been an outsider for the Lions, but injury may well dampen any selection hopes.
14 - Wing: George North (Wales)
North combines strength with speed and agility. He has struggled in recent tournaments with concussions, but this year North was close to his best, especially against Ireland and Italy.
15 - Full-back: Stuart Hogg (Scotland)
Scotland have become an attacking force, something which a few years ago appeared unlikely. A key part of that has been Stuart Hogg, he is an exciting player with ball in hand, but also has a good boot on him and, as he displayed against Italy, has the requisite defence for a full-back. He was the stand out full back in the tournament.
My Lions Squad:
Props: Marler, Evans, Furlong, McGrath, Healy
Hookers: Hartley, Owens, Best
Second Rows: Launchbury, Wyn-Jones, J. Gray, Itoje
Back Rows: Vunipola, Stander, O'Mahoney, Heaslip, Watson, Warburton, Tipuric
Scrum halves: Murray, Webb, Youngs
Fly halves: Sexton, Ford
Inside centre: Farrell, Henshaw, S. Williams
Outside centre: H. Jones, Payne, Joseph
Wings: North, Daly, L. Williams, Nowell/Seymour
Full back: Hogg, Halfpenny, Brown
Showing posts with label England. Show all posts
Showing posts with label England. Show all posts
Sunday, 19 March 2017
Friday, 18 September 2015
Rugby World Cup - Pool A
On the 18th September the Rugby World Cup will officially kick-off.
The tournament with 4 groups, 20 teams, represents International Rugby's pinnacle.
Over the next 4 posts I will review the 4 groups.
Group A
Australia
England
Wales
Fiji
Uruguay
Group A is by far the hardest group. With only 2 teams going through, 1 of the top 6 ranked rugby nations will be going out in the group stage.
This is a team going through what feels like a constant stage of transition, they were rebuilding under Ewen McKenzie until the text saga, with Kurtley Beale and a female general manager broke, splitting the squad. Michael Cheika has come in and Australia have improved, winning their first Rugby Championship, after beating the All-Blacks.
Key Players
Michael Hooper
David Pocock
Tevita Kuridrani
Israel Folau
Prediction - Semi Finals
A good build up to this world cup in contrast to the previous one, which ended badly, but in truth never really went well. This time around the lead in has been positive, with two Six nations campaigns that resulted in being runners-up on points difference alone.
Stuart Lancaster has been building his squad towards the World Cup since the 2011, and before through his involvement in the Saxons. England lack experience in a few key positions, such as Hooker, Centre and Wing. However, on a positive side, there is good depth to their squad and home advantage which could be key.
Key Players
The tournament with 4 groups, 20 teams, represents International Rugby's pinnacle.
Over the next 4 posts I will review the 4 groups.
Group A
Australia
England
Wales
Fiji
Uruguay
Group A is by far the hardest group. With only 2 teams going through, 1 of the top 6 ranked rugby nations will be going out in the group stage.
Australia
 |
| Israel Folau, Australia's lethal weapon (Photo: David Molloy - Flickr) |
Key Players
Michael Hooper
David Pocock
Tevita Kuridrani
Israel Folau
Prediction - Semi Finals
England
 |
| The current England team, will be trying to emulate the success of 2003 (Photo: Ken Douglas - Flickr) |
Stuart Lancaster has been building his squad towards the World Cup since the 2011, and before through his involvement in the Saxons. England lack experience in a few key positions, such as Hooker, Centre and Wing. However, on a positive side, there is good depth to their squad and home advantage which could be key.
Key Players
Joe Launchbury - his agility in the second row is key, as both Launchbury and Lawes play a dual role of second row and back row, such is their physicality and mobility.
Jonathan Joseph - relatively inexperienced at international level, however he excelled in the six nations, showing great pace and agility to score 4 tries.
Mike Brown - his kicking, tackling and line breaks are a key part of England's game, they struggled without him in Ireland in the Six nations.
Prediction - Finals
The reason there are 3 top nations in this pool is entirely down to Wales, as this article explains.
Wales had a poor run of form, at the wrong time, just when the rankings decided who would be seeded where, Wales played a superfluous fixture against Australia, which they lost, and ended up ranked 9th.
Under Warren Gatland, Wales have been hit and miss, when they are good, they play an effective game, utilising the pace and power of George North and Jamie Roberts to cut open defences and Leigh Halfpenny's boot punishing the opposition's indiscretion.
However, injury to Halfpenny and Rhys Webb, starting scrum half, will cause disruption to the team, and could lead to an early exit.
Key Players
George North
Lee Williams - with Halfpenny absent, Williams will be a key attacking threat from full-back, but is himself only just recovering from injury.
Alun Wyn-Jones
Prediction - Group stage
The 9th ranked nation in the world, Fiji are by no means pushovers. They have been grouped with Wales in the last two World Cups, beating Wales in 2007 but losing comprehensively in 2011.
Many of the Fijians play in Europe, particularly in France.
Key Players
Niki Goneva - the Leicester centre combines pace and power and is a key threat in Fiji's midfield.
Nemani Nodolo - he is an accurate goal-kicker and a powerful and pacey winger, if Fiji are going to win games, he is the man to provide the points.
Nikola Matawalu - the Glasgow scrum-half is headed to Bath after the World Cup, such is his ability. He is the spark in the Fijian side, and could be a thorn for his opponents.
Prediction - Group stage
Unfortunately, for Uruguay they are try fodder for the rest of the teams in this group. They did well to qualify for the World Cup beating Russia 57 - 49 on aggregate, but the World Cup will be a significant step up in class.
Key Players
Mike Brown - his kicking, tackling and line breaks are a key part of England's game, they struggled without him in Ireland in the Six nations.
Prediction - Finals
Wales
 |
| The Welsh team will need to be united to overcome England, Australia and Fiji (Photo: Marc - Flickr) |
The reason there are 3 top nations in this pool is entirely down to Wales, as this article explains.
Wales had a poor run of form, at the wrong time, just when the rankings decided who would be seeded where, Wales played a superfluous fixture against Australia, which they lost, and ended up ranked 9th.
Under Warren Gatland, Wales have been hit and miss, when they are good, they play an effective game, utilising the pace and power of George North and Jamie Roberts to cut open defences and Leigh Halfpenny's boot punishing the opposition's indiscretion.
However, injury to Halfpenny and Rhys Webb, starting scrum half, will cause disruption to the team, and could lead to an early exit.
Key Players
George North
Lee Williams - with Halfpenny absent, Williams will be a key attacking threat from full-back, but is himself only just recovering from injury.
Alun Wyn-Jones
Prediction - Group stage
Fiji
 |
| Fiji will be looking to reach the Quarter Finals for a third time (Photo: M+MD - Flickr) |
Many of the Fijians play in Europe, particularly in France.
Key Players
Niki Goneva - the Leicester centre combines pace and power and is a key threat in Fiji's midfield.
Nemani Nodolo - he is an accurate goal-kicker and a powerful and pacey winger, if Fiji are going to win games, he is the man to provide the points.
Nikola Matawalu - the Glasgow scrum-half is headed to Bath after the World Cup, such is his ability. He is the spark in the Fijian side, and could be a thorn for his opponents.
Prediction - Group stage
Uruguay
 |
| Uruguay qualified with a tight win over two legs against Russia(Photo - Flickr) |
Key Players
Agustin Ormaechea
Felipe Berchesi
These two provide the half back combination which was key to Uruguay reaching the World Cup.
Felipe Berchesi
These two provide the half back combination which was key to Uruguay reaching the World Cup.
Wednesday, 17 June 2015
European Championship Qualifiers
Qualification, finishing first or second, gives you automatic qualification. The only other automatic qualifier is the best third place team. The other third place teams, will play-off for the right to qualify.
Please note, all the groups are taken from UEFA.com, and are correct at the time of publishing.
Group A
| Home | Away | Total | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Teams | P | W | D | L | W | D | L | W | D | L | F | A | +/- | Pts |
 Iceland | 6 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 14 | 3 | 11 | 15 |
 Czech Republic | 6 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 12 | 8 | 4 | 13 |
 Netherlands | 6 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 13 | 6 | 7 | 10 |
 Turkey | 6 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 7 | 8 | -1 | 8 |
 Latvia | 6 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 13 | -11 | 3 |
 Kazakhstan | 6 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 4 | 14 | -10 | 1 |
Netherlands are 3rd because they have lost to Czech Republic and Iceland away and drew with Turkey at home. They will need to beat Czech Republic and Iceland at home, to give themselves a realistic chance of automatic qualification.
Group B
| Home | Away | Total | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Teams | P | W | D | L | W | D | L | W | D | L | F | A | +/- | Pts |
 Wales | 6 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 8 | 2 | 6 | 14 |
 Belgium | 6 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 13 | 2 | 11 | 11 |
 Israel | 6 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 10 | 9 | 1 | 9 |
 Cyprus | 6 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 12 | 11 | 1 | 9 |
 Bosnia and Herzegovina | 6 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 8 | 7 | 1 | 8 |
 Andorra | 6 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 3 | 23 | -20 | 0 |
Wales pulled off a fantastic result by beating Belgium, Gareth Bale capitalising on a defensive error to secure a 1-0 win and give themselves a 3 point lead at the top of the group.
Defeat is no disaster though for Belgium, as they are still in a strong position in 2nd place. The race for 3rd is a lot tighter in the group, with Bosnia's win over Israel, moving them to 8 points, within 1 point of Cyprus and Israel. Cyprus have now played Andorra twice, so you would expect them to drop away, leaving 3rd place a battle between Israel and Bosnia.
Group C
Home Away Total Teams P W D L W D L W D L F A +/- Pts 
Slovakia6 3 0 0 3 0 0 6 0 0 13 3 10 18 
Spain6 3 0 0 2 0 1 5 0 1 15 3 12 15 
Ukraine6 2 0 1 2 0 1 4 0 2 9 2 7 12 
Belarus6 0 0 3 1 1 1 1 1 4 4 11 -7 4 
FYR Macedonia6 1 0 2 0 0 3 1 0 5 6 14 -8 3 
Luxembourg6 0 1 2 0 0 3 0 1 5 3 17 -14 1
| Home | Away | Total | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Teams | P | W | D | L | W | D | L | W | D | L | F | A | +/- | Pts |
| Slovakia | 6 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 13 | 3 | 10 | 18 |
| Spain | 6 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 15 | 3 | 12 | 15 |
| Ukraine | 6 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 9 | 2 | 7 | 12 |
| Belarus | 6 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 4 | 11 | -7 | 4 |
| FYR Macedonia | 6 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 6 | 14 | -8 | 3 |
| Luxembourg | 6 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 3 | 17 | -14 | 1 |
Slovakia are the surprise of Group C, their 2-1 win over Spain in Zilinia in October 2014, came courtesy of a late Miroslav Stoch strike, this ended Spain's 8 year unbeaten run in qualifying.
It's hard to look past Slovakia, Spain and Ukraine as top 3, and it could be that all 3 qualify automatically, as Ukraine are currently the top 3rd placed team.
It's hard to look past Slovakia, Spain and Ukraine as top 3, and it could be that all 3 qualify automatically, as Ukraine are currently the top 3rd placed team.
| Home | Away | Total | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Teams | P | W | D | L | W | D | L | W | D | L | F | A | +/- | Pts |
 Poland | 6 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 20 | 3 | 17 | 14 |
 Germany | 6 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 16 | 4 | 12 | 13 |
 Scotland | 6 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 12 | 6 | 6 | 11 |
 Republic of Ireland | 6 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 12 | 5 | 7 | 9 |
 Georgia | 6 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 4 | 13 | -9 | 3 |
 Gibraltar | 6 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 1 | 34 | -33 | 0 |
Poland top group D, after surprising Germany in a 2-0 win in Warsaw in October. They are also top scorers across all the groups with 20 goals, Robert Lewandowski, is also the top scorer in qualifying with 7 (including a 4 minute hat-trick against Georgia).
Germany are still favourites for the group, with September's game against Poland being crucial.
The race for 3rd is a hotly contested one between the 2 celtic nations of Scotland and Ireland, with Scotland currently edging it, but both teams have Germany and Poland still to play.
Group E
| Home | Away | Total | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Teams | P | W | D | L | W | D | L | W | D | L | F | A | +/- | Pts |
 England | 6 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 18 | 3 | 15 | 18 |
 Switzerland | 6 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 13 | 4 | 9 | 12 |
 Slovenia | 6 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 12 | 7 | 5 | 9 |
 Estonia | 6 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 5 | -2 | 7 |
 Lithuania | 6 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 4 | 12 | -8 | 6 |
 San Marino | 6 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 19 | -19 | 1 |
England have dominated Group E, with an away win in Switzerland, being their most notable win. They are also 2nd top scorers in qualifying and wiht 4 games to play, automatic qualification, seems assured.
2nd place may well depend on the result between Switzerland and Slovenia in September, Slovenia won the tie in October, and with Switzerland still having to face England at Wembley, a draw or a win, could see Slovenia automatically qualify.
San Marino are the only team yet to score in qualifying.
Group F
| Home | Away | Total | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Teams | P | W | D | L | W | D | L | W | D | L | F | A | +/- | Pts |
 Romania | 6 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 7 | 1 | 6 | 14 |
 Northern Ireland | 6 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 8 | 4 | 4 | 13 |
 Hungary | 6 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 11 |
 Faroe Islands | 6 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 4 | 8 | -4 | 6 |
 Finland | 6 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 5 | 8 | -3 | 4 |
 Greece | 6 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 2 | 7 | -5 | 2 |
This is one of the tightest groups, with no real clear favourite. Romania lead the way, and face Hungary next at home. Northern Ireland are closer to qualification than they have been in a long time. Their two fixtures in September could be key, away to Faroe Islands and then at home to Hungary, 6 points would almost guarantee qualification.
The big surprise is the Faroe Islands, normally considered whipping boys, they have pulled off a double win over the Greeks, who look a shadow of the side that won the Euros in 2004. Read more about them here.
Group G
| Home | Away | Total | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Teams | P | W | D | L | W | D | L | W | D | L | F | A | +/- | Pts |
 Austria | 6 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 11 | 2 | 9 | 16 |
 Sweden | 6 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 10 | 4 | 6 | 12 |
 Russia | 6 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 9 | 4 | 5 | 8 |
 Montenegro | 6 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 8 | -4 | 5 |
 Liechtenstein | 6 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 12 | -10 | 5 |
 Moldova | 6 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 3 | 9 | -6 | 2 |
Russia were the favourites for Group G but find themselves 8 points adrift of Austria, after a dreadful start to the group. They have lost to Austria twice, and drawn with Moldova. There are now even fans trying to crowd fund to remove Fabio Capello.
Austria have been the team of the group so far, winning all their games except for a draw with Sweden. Austria and Sweden are favourites for automatic qualification, but Russia face Sweden in Moscow in the next round of games, and that could be crucial to Russia's automatic qualification chances.
Licehtenstein have had a great qualification campaign, beating Moldova, and then drawing with Moldova and Montenegro, who have had a poor qualification campaign, and will hope Jovetic can stay fit.
Group H
| Home | Away | Total | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Teams | P | W | D | L | W | D | L | W | D | L | F | A | +/- | Pts |
 Croatia | 6 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 16 | 3 | 13 | 14 |
 Italy | 6 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 9 | 5 | 4 | 12 |
 Norway | 6 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 7 | 8 | -1 | 10 |
 Bulgaria | 6 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 7 | 7 | 0 | 8 |
 Azerbaijan | 6 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 4 | 11 | -7 | 4 |
 Malta | 6 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 1 | 10 | -9 | 1 |
Group H is one of the most contested, with 4th placed Bulgaria only 6 points behind leaders Croatia.
Italy have struggled for goals, especially against the likes of Azerbaijan and Malta, recording 2-1 and 1-0 wins respectively.
Croatia and Italy have played each other twice now, both games 1-1 draws, and that should mean both will qualify automatically, especially after Norway's 5-1 defeat against Croatia and 0-0 draw with Azerbaijan.
Group I
| Home | Away | Total | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Teams | P | W | D | L | W | D | L | W | D | L | F | A | +/- | Pts |
 Portugal | 5 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 7 | 4 | 3 | 12 |
 Denmark | 5 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 8 | 4 | 4 | 10 |
 Albania | 4 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 5 | -1 | 7 |
 Serbia * | 5 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 6 | 8 | -2 | 1 |
 Armenia | 5 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 5 | 9 | -4 | 1 |
Group I has had its fair share of controversy, the Serbia v Albania match was abandoned after violent scenes and geographic politics marred the game. Serbia were simultaneously awarded the win and deducted 3 points, which leaves them with 1 point, despite having a win to their name.
Serbia's campaign hasn't been helped by that, as they have lost to Denmark twice, and Portugal once, and they only managed a draw with Armenia. It is a very poor performance, from a side with the likes of Ivanovic, Kolarov, Nastasic, Matic, Markovic, Tadic, Ljajic, and Dordevic.
Albania have a game in hand and have already beaten Portugal, so can't be ruled out from challenging the top 2. The Denmark v Albania game in Copenhagen, could be crucial in deciding who gets the 2nd automatic qualification place.
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