Group 1: Struggle for second place

By Andrew Haslam

With France all but assured of automatic qualification from UEFA EURO 2004™ Group 1 having won all five of their games to date, Saturday's match between Slovenia and Israel at the Atatürk stadium in Antalya, Turkey will have a significant bearing on who claims second place in the final table and moves into the play-offs.

Two-point advantage
Slovenia currently hold a two-point advantage over the Israelis with nine points from four games, but with the sides also meeting in the return fixture in September, the group situation could still alter dramatically.

Injury worries
Slovenia coach Bojan Prašnikar has a number of injury worries ahead of the game, with goalkeeper Mladen Dabanovic and midfield players Nastja Ceh and Miran Pavlin struggling with minor knocks, although all are expected to be fit to play. Nevertheless, NK Publikum midfield player Simon Seslar has been called up to the squad as cover.

Successful seasons
Ceh will be looking to round off a fine campaign after winning the Belgian First Division title with Club Brugge KV, while striker Ermin Šiljak also enjoyed a good season with Greek side Panionios GS. "After Slovenia get an excellent result against Israel on Saturday, I think I will be able to say that this season was one of my best so far," Šiljak said.

'We need some luck'
"My opinion is that in order to win the runners-up position in our group we'll have to put maximum effort and in the eventual play-offs we'll need a bit of luck with the draw," he continued. "The game against Israel will probably prove the most important for us and we really should not lose."

Significant setback
Israel, meanwhile, will be without influential captain Tal Banin after the midfield player sustained a knee injury on the final day of the league season last Saturday. In his absence, Haim Revivo will lead the side, while Azerbaijani-born Murad Magomedov is awaiting FIFA approval to play in the match after being granted Israeli citizenship. Galatasaray SK's Revivo is expected to play despite a slight thigh strain, while Omri Afek is also likely to be fit to take his place in midfield.

Agius returns
Saturday's other game in the section sees bottom side Malta play host to the country immediately above them, Cyprus, in Valletta. Malta, who have failed to collect a single point from their six games so far, are buoyed by the return of Valletta FC striker Gilbert Agius, but have injury worries surrounding a number of key players.

Uncertain starters
Darren Debono, Ian Ciantar, Daniel Theuma and Jeffrey Chetcuti have all been named in the squad, yet it is possible none will be able to play in the match, although there remains a positive atmosphere in the camp.

Captain confident
Captain David Carabott has faith in his team-mates. "We all feel geared up and ready to bring over the first point for our country," he said. "We are all fully committed and I hope that luck will for once play its part in our favour. I believe we can really get a good result."

Key players rested
In contrast, Cyprus coach Momcilo Vukotic feels confident enough to rest players from champions Omonia Nicosia FC for the match, meaning prolific German-born forward Rainer Rauffman will not play, together with club team-mates Nicolas Georgiou, Ioakim Ioakim and Kostas Kaiafas.

Important three points
APOEL Nicosia FC players Christos Germanos, Chrysostomos Michael and Marios Neophytou all come into the squad as Vukotic, whose side have taken four points from five matches, seeks a morale-boosting victory.

Additional reporting by Ofer Ronen-Abels, Domenic Aquilina and Kadira Malkoc