23 March 2011
The group phase for UEFA Euro 2012 qualifiers resumes this weekend, with no less than 19 matches being played across the European continent.
The most-hyped game is the all-British Group G clash between Wales and England in Cardiffs Millennium Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
It will mark Gary Speeds competitive debut as the Dragons coach. He is poised to field an attacking formation that will be spearheaded by the likes of Craig Bellamy and Tottenham sensation Gareth Bale.
Well be a bit more in their faces and look to play with a tempo, pressing the ball but we cant be suicidal. Things need to be thought out and it cant be all guns blazing irrespective of the opposition, said Speed ahead of the match.
The Welsh are bottom of the group with zero points to their name, so they will be desperate for a good result against their neighbours. England, on the other hand, will be targeting a return to the top of the standings, though they will need to win by three clear goals to do it.
The action kicks-off on Friday evening with six matches. France will have a chance to entrench their position as Group D leaders when they play away to minnows Luxembourg, while Group C pacesetters Italy have a tougher assignment on their trip to Slovenia.
World and European champions Spain host the Czech Republic in a tasty-looking Group I tie in Granada. La Roja will start the game as clear favourites to extend their lead at the top of the group, but coach Vicente del Bosque insists that it will not be a straightforward task for his side: If we dont have the mentality and spirit, we will suffer greatly, he said.
Germany have easily dominated Group A thus far and its a safe bet that their 100 percent winning record will continue when they host bottom-of-the-table Kazakhstan on Saturday evening.
Group B is the most fiercely contested of all, with just two points covering the top four. All six teams are in action on Saturday in the following fixtures: Armenia v Russia, Andorra v Slovakia and Republic of Ireland v FYR Macedonia.
Group F leaders Croatia will be looking to continue their unbeaten record away to Georgia, and Group H leaders Norway can further cement their place with a home match against Scandinavian rivals Denmark in Oslo.
UEFA 2012 weekend qualifying fixtures:
Friday, March 25
Group A Austria v Belgium
Group C Serbia v Northern Ireland
Group C Slovenia v Italy
Group D Luxembourg v France
Group E Hungary v Netherlands
Group I Spain v Czech Republic
Saturday, March 26
Group A Germany v Kazakhstan
Group B Armenia v Russia
Group B Andorra v Slovakia
Group B Rep. Ireland v FYR Macedonia
Group D Bosnia and Herzegovina v Romania
Group D Albania v Belarus
Group F Georgia v Croatia
Group F Israel v Latvia
Group F Malta v Greece
Group G Wales v England
Group G Bulgaria v Switzerland
Group H Cyprus v Iceland
Group H Norway v Denmark
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