Who is set to qualify for UEFA EURO 2016?
Friday, January 16, 2015
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Who would make it as it stands? Who has impressed? Who are the surprises? With less than a year to go until the UEFA EURO 2016 draw, we assess qualifying so far.
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With less than a year to go until the UEFA EURO 2016 finals draw is made in Paris, UEFA.com looks back on qualifying so far and considers who is in line to reach the tournament as it stands.
The top two in each section – as well as the best third-placed side – are guaranteed to go through, meaning the 15th EURO could be a first for the likes of Wales, Israel, Slovakia and Iceland. Considering the remaining eight third-placed teams will also go into the play-offs, there are plenty of unexpected countries in the shake-up.
Group A
Top two: Czech Republic, Iceland
Third: Netherlands
• Iceland are in line to qualify for a major tournament for the first time.
• The Netherlands have lost to Iceland and the Czechs, Václav Pilař with a 91st-minute winner.
• The Dutch have not missed a UEFA European Championship since the last finals in France, in 1984.
28 March: Kazakhstan v Iceland, Czech Republic v Latvia, Netherlands v Turkey
Group B
Top two: Israel, Wales
Third: Cyprus
• Neither Israel nor Wales have been involved in a European final tournament before.
• Israel's Omer Damari is the joint-leading scorer in qualifying with five goals.
• George Efrem scored Cyprus's first senior international hat-trick in the 5-0 defeat of Andorra.
28 March: Andorra v Bosnia and Herzegovina, Belgium v Cyprus, Israel v Wales
31 March: Israel v Belgium
Group C
Top two: Slovakia, Spain
Third: Ukraine
• Slovakia, Israel, Czech Republic and England are the only teams still with a 100% record.
• Spain had not lost in 36 UEFA EURO qualifiers prior to their 2-1 reverse in Slovakia on 9 October.
• La Roja have attempted (2,789) and completed (2,546) more passes than any other side.
27 March: FYR Macedonia v Belarus, Slovakia v Luxembourg, Spain v Ukraine
Group D
Top two: Poland, Germany
Third: Scotland
• Poland lead Germany atop the section thanks to a 2-0 triumph over the world champions in October.
• Republic of Ireland captain Robbie Keane is now top scorer in EURO qualifying history.
• Gibraltar are one of three countries (along with Azerbaijan and Andorra) with no points.
29 March: Georgia v Germany, Scotland v Gibraltar, Republic of Ireland v Poland
Group E
Top two: England, Slovenia
Third: Switzerland
• England captain Wayne Rooney has had more attempts on target (13) than any other player.
• Slovenia have not made a European finals since 2000.
• Estonia defender Artur Pikk had to take military leave to make his full debut, against England.
27 March: England v Lithuania, Slovenia v San Marino, Switzerland v Estonia
Group F
Top two: Romania, Northern Ireland
Third: Hungary
• Northern Ireland have never reached a UEFA EURO final tournament before.
• The Faroes won 1-0 in Greece on matchday four – their first competitive away success since 2001.
• Claudio Ranieri was dismissed after that defeat, leaving Greece bottom with one point.
29 March: Northern Ireland v Finland, Romania v Faroe Islands, Hungary v Greece
Group G
Top two: Austria, Sweden
Third: Russia
• The only time Austria have got to a UEFA European Championship was as co-hosts in 2008.
• Russia have not missed out on a European final tournament since UEFA EURO 2000.
• Liechtenstein won 1-0 in Moldova in November, their first UEFA EURO qualifying away victory.
27 March: Liechtenstein v Austria, Moldova v Sweden, Montenegro v Russia
Group H
Top two: Croatia, Italy
Third: Norway
• Italy, just a point above Norway, have qualified for every major championship since 1994.
• Giorgio Chiellini scored all three goals when Italy squeezed past Azerbaijan 2-1 on matchday two.
• Martin Ødegaard (15 yrs, 300 days) became the youngest player in EURO history on 10 October.
28 March: Azerbaijan v Malta, Croatia v Norway, Bulgaria v Italy
Group I
Top two: Denmark, Portugal
Third: Albania
• Denmark have the fewest points (7) of any of the nine group leaders.
• Cristiano Ronaldo became the competition's all-time top marksman with his clincher against Armenia.
• Albania set the tone for a campaign of upsets with a 1-0 success in Portugal on the first day of qualifying.
29 March: Albania v Armenia, Portugal v Serbia