Halfway point in race to UEFA EURO 2016
Wednesday, April 1, 2015
Article summary
UEFA EURO 2016 qualifying has now reached the halfway point. UEFA.com looks at how the nine groups stand, with just two perfect teams and several big names in peril.
Article top media content
Article body
UEFA EURO 2016 qualifying is now at the halfway stage with just England and Slovakia holding perfect records and the likes of the Netherlands and Belgium in danger of missing out on automatic places in France. UEFA.com looks at how the nine groups are shaping up.
• The next matches are on 12, 13 and 14 June before the groups conclude with September and October double-headers.
• The nine group winners, the nine group runners-up and the best third-placed side will qualify directly for the final tournament in France.
• The eight remaining third-placed teams will contest play-offs in November to determine the last four qualifiers for the finals.
If qualifying were to end now ...
Qualified: France (hosts), Czech Republic, Iceland, Belgium, Wales, Slovakia, Spain (holders), Poland, Germany, Scotland (best third-place), England, Slovenia, Romania, Northern Ireland, Austria, Sweden, Croatia, Italy, Portugal, Denmark
Play-offs: Netherlands, Israel, Ukraine, Switzerland, Hungary, Russia, Norway, Albania
Standings are provisional until all group matches have been played.
Group A
Top two: Czech Republic, Iceland
Third: Netherlands
• Iceland won 3-0 in Kazakhstan to move to within a point of the Czech Republic, held 1-1 by Latvia.
• The Netherlands salvaged a 1-1 draw with Turkey but are five points behind Iceland.
• Turkey are two points further back, having been within sight of overtaking the Netherlands before Klaas-Jan Huntelaar's added-time equaliser.
12 June: Iceland v Czech Republic, Kazakhstan v Turkey, Latvia v Netherlands
Group B
Top two: Belgium, Wales
Third: Wales
• On Saturday Wales triumphed 3-0 in Israel to end their hosts' perfect record.
• Belgium beat Cyprus 5-0 and then won 1-0 in Israel to go level with Wales at the top. Israel are two points behind.
• Cyprus and Bosnia and Herzegovina are respectively two and three points behind Belgium.
12 June: Andorra v Cyprus, Bosnia and Herzegovina v Israel, Wales v Belgium
Group C
Top two: Slovakia, Spain
Third: Ukraine
• Slovakia's 3-0 success over Luxembourg was their fifth straight win in the group.
• The victory kept them three points ahead of Spain, who edged Ukraine 1-0.
• Ukraine fell three points behind Spain but are still five clear of Belarus.
14 June: Belarus v Spain, Slovakia v FYR Macedonia, Ukraine v Luxembourg
Group D
Top two: Poland, Germany
Third: Scotland
• Poland conceded a late goal to draw 1-1 in the Republic of Ireland but retain pole position.
• Germany and Scotland both prevailed to climb to within a point of Poland.
• Ireland are two points further back.
13 June: Gibraltar v Germany, Poland v Georgia, Republic of Ireland v Scotland
Group E
Top two: England, Slovenia
Third: Switzerland
• England thrashed Lithuania 4-0 and like Slovakia have a maximum 15 points.
• Slovenia and Switzerland also won and are on nine points each, three superior to Lithuania.
• Wayne Rooney is within two goals of Sir Bobby Charlton's England record of 49.
14 June: Estonia v San Marino, Lithuania v Switzerland, Slovenia v England
Group F
Top two: Romania, Northern Ireland
Third: Hungary
• Romania squeezed past the Faroe Islands 1-0 to remain a point better off than Northern Ireland.
• Northern Ireland saw off Finland 2-1 and are four points above Hungary, held 0-0 by Greece.
• Greece stay bottom, a point adrift of the Faroes and two behind Finland.
13 June: Faroe Islands v Greece, Finland v Hungary, Northern Ireland v Romania
Group G
Top two: Austria, Sweden
Third: Russia
• Austria were 5-0 winners in Liechtenstein and are still four points above Sweden, 2-0 victors in Moldova.
• Russia and Montenegro are four points behind the Swedes after their game was abandoned.
• Liechtenstein are one point further back.
14 June: Liechtenstein v Moldova, Russia v Austria, Sweden v Montenegro
Group H
Top two: Croatia, Italy
Third: Norway
• Croatia went top as they dismantled Norway 5-1 and their June visitors Italy needed a late goal to hold Bulgaria 2-2.
• Italy's late equaliser came from debutant Éder in Ivaylo Petev's first match as Bulgaria coach.
• Norway lost ground and are two points short of Italy, though four in front of Bulgaria.
12 June: Croatia v Italy, Malta v Bulgaria, Norway v Azerbaijan
Group I
Top two: Portugal, Denmark
Third: Albania
• With Denmark not playing, Portugal jumped two points clear by ousting Serbia 2-1.
• Albania came from behind to beat Armenia 2-1 and are level on points with Denmark.
• Serbia and Armenia are six points adrift of Denmark and Albania.
13 June: Armenia v Portugal, Denmark v Serbia