Road to Denmark full of surprises
Friday 9 October 2009
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Qualifying for the 2011 UEFA European Under-21 Championship in Denmark resumes this evening and if the matches so far are anything to go by, there could be a few more notable surprises in store.
Early surprises
Russia host the Faroe Islands on Saturday seeking to avenge a shock 1-0 defeat from the teams' first meeting in June, only the Faroese's second victory at this level. The Czech Republic won away to holders Germany last time out to take command of Group 5, and Wales stunned Italy by beating the five-times champions 2-1 in Group 3. Wales have ten points from four games and will look to build on that success at home to Bosnia-Herzegovina on Saturday, before Italy host the Balkan nation three days later. The Czech Republic and Romania are the only sides still boasting perfect records after four matches and though the former are not in action, the latter will look to make it five wins from five in Latvia on Friday.
Estonia impress
With many of the 52 contenders having played at least three matches, the standings are beginning to take shape as teams vie the 14 play-off spots. Estonia are the surprise early pacesetters in Group 2 and face a test of their credentials at home to Switzerland on Friday, while Group 8 leaders Belgium meet Ukraine and France, both level on four points in second spot, in the space of four days. After mixed starts in Group 7, Croatia and Serbia meet in Varazdin aiming to close the gap on Slovakia.
Finland pressure
Of the 2009 finalists in action, Finland are worst off and without a point from two Group 4 matches in a section also involving Spain, Poland and the Netherlands, champions in 2006 and 2007. Finland host the latter on Friday before the Jong Oranje meet Poland next Tuesday. Group 9 leaders Greece are at home to Portugal, while England, beaten finalists in June, host FYR Macedonia having opened their Group 9 campaign with a 2-1 win in Skopje.
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