The race to UEFA EURO 2016 so far

UEFA EURO 2016 qualifying resumes with a full programme of fixtures from Friday to Sunday and we look at how the nine groups stand.

• 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.

FULL STANDINGS
FIXTURE LIST

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, missing Arjen Robben this week, have lost to both the Czechs, for whom Václav Pilař scored an added-time winner, and Iceland.
• The Dutch have not missed a UEFA European Championship since the last finals in France, in 1984.

Saturday: Kazakhstan v Iceland, Czech Republic v Latvia, Netherlands v Turkey

Group B
Top two: Israel, Wales
Third: Cyprus
• Israel and Wales meet in a crucial weekend game; neither have been involved in a European final tournament before.
• Israel's Omer Damari is the joint-leading scorer in qualifying with five goals.
• Next Tuesday Israel play Belgium in a fixture postponed from earlier in qualifying.

Saturday: Andorra v Bosnia and Herzegovina, Belgium v Cyprus, Israel v Wales
Tuesday: Israel v Belgium

Group C
Top two: Slovakia, Spain
Third: Ukraine
• Slovakia, Israel, Czech Republic and England are the only countries 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.

Friday: FYR Macedonia v Belarus, Slovakia v Luxembourg, Spain v Ukraine

Group D
Top two: Poland, Germany
Third: Scotland
• Poland lead Germany at the top of the section courtesy of a 2-0 triumph over the world champions in October.
• Republic of Ireland captain Robbie Keane is now top scorer in EURO qualifying history.
• David Wilson will take temporary charge of Gibraltar against his native Scotland.

Sunday: 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 competed at a European finals since 2000.
• Estonia defender Artur Pikk had to take military leave to make his full debut, against England.

Friday: England v Lithuania, Slovenia v San Marino, Switzerland v Estonia

Group F
Top two: Romania, Northern Ireland
Third: Hungary
• Northern Ireland have never featured in 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. Sergio Markarián is now at the Greece helm.

Sunday: 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 prevailed 1-0 in Moldova in November, their first UEFA EURO qualifying away victory.

Friday: 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.
• Former Croatia playmaker Robert Prosinečki is the new coach of Azerbaijan.
• Norway's Martin Ødegaard (15 yrs 300 days) became the youngest player in EURO history on 10 October.

Saturday: 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 leading scorer with his clincher against Armenia before being overtaken by Ireland's Keane.
• Albania set the tone for a campaign of upsets with a 1-0 success in Portugal on the first day of qualifying.

Sunday: Albania v Armenia, Portugal v Serbia