Continuing with the various permutations for the Euro 2012 qualifiers, we move on to Groups E to I. Read the scenarios for Group A, B, C, D here.
Group E:
Netherlands have already made it through to the Euro 2012, having won all their nine games so far, while Sweden are through to the playoffs at least. However, for Sweden to qualify for the Euro as the best second-placed side in the championship, they need to win their last game, which is against Netherlands – a stiff ask against a side which hasn’t dropped a single point in the qualifiers so far.
Group F: Greece and Croatia are in the top spots in this group with the last round of games deciding which side will go through to the main draw of Euro 2012 and which one will have to end up in the playoffs. Greece have 21 points while Croatia go in with 19 points. The matches are also quite interesting with Greece up against Georgia and Croatia playing Latvia.
If Greece win, they are through irrespective of the other result. If Greece draw and Croatia win, the two sides will be tied on points, but the Greek side will still go through on a better head-to-head. The one way that Croatia can qualify directly for the Euro 2012 is if they win and Greece loses.
Group G: England have already qualified from this group after they held Montenegro to a 2-2 draw in the previous game. Incidentally, Montenegro also clinched the playoffs spot with that draw and irrespective of the result against Switzerland, they are through to the playoffs.
Group H: This should give out the most exciting of the games for the last day. Portugal and Denmark, who both have 16 points play each other. Norway, who have 13 points will take on Cyprus, who have just two points can be expected to beat them and get to 16. This makes the game between Portugal and Denmark as the one on which the results of the group hinge.
Assuming that Norway win their last game against Cyprus: If Portugal win, they will be through to the main draw, whereas Denmark will go through to the playoffs, while Norway, on account of their poor head to head with Denmark, will be knocked out. On the other hand, if Denmark win, they will be through to the main draw, with Norway and Portugal tied for the second spot. Then, for Norway to go through, they will need to overcome the Portuguese goal difference – which is currently at +10 to Norway’s +1.
Group I: Spain are through to the main competition, while the second spot will be fought over by Scotland and Czech Republic. Scotland have 11 points to Czech Republic’s 10, but play Spain in the last game. On the other hand, Czech Republic take on Lithuania, who have generally struggled in the qualifiers.