There are 9 qualifying groups, only 8 runners up go in the playoffs. By my maths it is our group that will miss out as it stands as our results against San Marino don't count, so we just have 2 wins against Moldova. Apparently they take your results against the others in the group but don't include the bottom team. So we have to win the group to qualify, finish 2nd and we are out.
Interesting, there are two very big games coming up then. Looks like there are likely to be some good teams in the playoffs even if we did get there! (Portugal for one!) I know we are in the driving seat but I don't have much faith in this England team.
I don't think that's right mate. That's how the system works, but, for instance, Bulgaria who are currently second place in Group B have won twice against bottom club Malta. If those results are taken out of the equation they'll only have 7 points compared to our 10. Malta have lost all their games to all the contenders, so whoever finishes second in that group will lose 6 points. In Group D everyone has beaten Andorra, so again everyone will lose 6 points, and we're better off than any of those that are likely to finish second.
Thanks Jay, can always rely on you for some facts. It just dawned on me this morning that 9 doesn't go into 8, not really thought about it before, my quick maths was obviously shoddy.
I think, but don't quote: In the last group (J or something) there are only 5 teams so only the top team qualifies from said group, which I think is Spain
That's not how it works. In the groups with 6 teams the results against the team that finishes bottom in the table are discounted.
Jay is right. 1. Greece 7 5 1 1 8:4 16 2. France 7 4 2 1 12:6 14 3. Iceland 7 4 1 2 14:13 13 4. Ukraine 7 3 3 1 10:4 12 5. Portugal 6 3 2 1 11:8 11 6. Sweden 6 3 2 1 10:7 11 7. Croatia 6 3 2 1 7:4 11 8. Hungary 7 3 2 2 13:12 11 9. Bulgaria 6 1 4 1 5:5 7
ah right was just a guess with the odd amount of teams, but seems a strange system. Just back from Ukraine, wouldn't mind us to finish top, but I'd bloody love Iceland away!
Except in the Championship Survivor game and worryingly for me he has chosen the same two teams as me so I guess my abysmal record will continue.
I posted first. Do you really think I would copy somebody with such a bad record? Me too. I bet Huddersfield and Ipswich are well chuffed we have picked them.
