(R) One more round of the groups in Europe...
From 
Michael Falkner@24:150/2 to 
rec.sport.soccer on Sat Nov 13 17:19:52 2021
 
 
Because of the two-tiered playoff system in Europe, the November window is the end of the group phase of the UEFA qualifiers for Qatar.  Group winners go through, group seconds go to a 12-team two-tiered playoff for 3 spots with the two highest UEFA Nations League group-winner teams not previously in one of the two other qualifying situations mentioned.
"Eliminated" teams are just mentioned vis-a-vis the top two in the group.
Group A:
Portugal and Serbia level on 17, all others eliminated.
They play late Sunday, winner gets the direct ticket, loser to the playoff.  Portugal goes through on group goal difference in case of a draw.  Serbia would go to the playoff in that case.
Group B:
Spain 16 pts
Sweden 15 pts
All others eliminated.
They also play late Sunday.  Winner wins the group, loser to the playoff.  Spain goes through to Qatar on a draw, and Sweden would go to the playoff.
Group C:
Italy and Switzerland on 15 points, all others eliminated.
Italy goes to Northern Ireland, Switzerland hosts Serbia.  That's Monday.
Italy is two goals scored and two goal difference clear of Switzerland in the group.  Switzerland would have to make up both that goal difference and possibly the goals scored to clear the group.
Group D:
France wins the qualification spot.
For the playoff:
Finland 11 pts
Ukraine 9 pts
Ukraine goes to Bosnia-Herzegovina, Finland hosts France.
Finland goes through on a win, or on a draw as long as the goal difference in the other match isn't a Ukraine win by at least 2 -- or if Ukraine draws or loses.
Group E:
Belgium wins the qualification spot.
Wales and the Czech Republic will both be in the playoff.  One will be second in the group, the other is high enough in the Nations League group-winner standings to be assured a playoff spot with teams above them in the Nations League group-winner standings in the top two of their group assured.
Group F:
All decided for top two.  Denmark are going to Qatar, Scotland to the playoff. Joining them is Austria, for the same reason Wales and the Czech Republic are already in.  Wales is the team above them in the Nations League group-winner order, Czech Republic the team below, and if Wales is second in Group E, then the two unseeded qualifiers are Austria and Czech Republic.
Group G:
Here we go:  NOTHING DECIDED YET
Netherlands 20 pts
Turkey and Norway 19 pts
Turkey goes to Montenegro
Netherlands hosts Norway.
Tuesday
Winner of Netherlands-Norway gets one of the top two spots.
NED:  Advance to World Cup if they win.  Advance to playoff on a draw if Turkey does not win, to Qatar if Turkey, at best, also draws.  Only advances to the playoff on a loss if Turkey does not beat Montenegro.
NOR:  Advance to World Cup if they win and Turkey doesn't win by more.  Eliminated on a draw if Turkey wins.  Eliminated if they lose unless Turkey does as well by the same or more goals.
TUR:  Advance to World Cup if they win and the other match either is a draw or Norway wins by at least two fewer goals.  Advance to playoffs on a win in all other scenarios, or a draw if the Dutch beat Norway.  Eliminated on a loss unless Norway loses by a margin two (at least) greater, or on a draw if Norway wins.
Group H:
Russia 22 pts
Croatia 20 pts
All others eliminated.
Croatia hosts Russia on Tuesday, and must win to get the direct spot.  Russia gets it with at least a draw.  Other of the pair goes to the playoff.
Group I:
England 23 pts
Poland 20 pts
All others eliminated.
The good news for Poland, Poland hosts Hungary.
The bad news for Poland, England gets a holiday in San Marino, and would have to lose for Poland to have a shot at the direct spot.
Yeah and right.  San Marino have scored one goal in the qualifiers.
They've given up 36.
Group J:
Germany has won the group and the direct qualification spot.
Playoff spot:
North Macedonia 15 pts
Romania 14 pts
(Armenia 12 pts, and 18 GD behind North Macedonia.)
And Armenia hosts Germany on top of it!
Romania goes to Lichtenstein
North Macedonia hosts Iceland.
Wednesday
North Macedonia goes to the playoff on a win, or a draw if Romania does not. Romania would need a win and North Macedonia do no better than a draw.
(I guess technically:  Armenia would need to beat Germany, Iceland would have to beat North Macedonia -- the combined goal difference there would have to be at least NINETEEN!!!  And Lichtenstein would have to beat Romania -- or draw if Armenia beat Germany by ROTFL number of goals -- 12, I think????)
So, heading to the last round:
Qatar-bound:  Germany, Belgium, Denmark
Playoff bound:  Scotland, Wales, Czech Republic, Austria  (which resolves the two Nations League spots)
Playoff at minimum:  England, Poland, Russia, Croatia, Italy, Switzerland, Spain, Sweden, Portugal and Serbia.
Mike
--- SBBSecho 3.06-Win32
 * Origin: SportNet Gateway Site (24:150/2)
From 
Werner Pichler@24:150/2 to 
rec.sport.soccer on Sun Nov 14 12:16:58 2021
 
 
On Sunday, November 14, 2021 at 11:37:11 AM UTC+1, anders t wrote:
Quoting Michael Falkner in rec.sport.soccer: 
Group B: 
Spain 16 pts 
Sweden 15 pts 
All others eliminated. 
They also play late Sunday. Winner wins the group, loser to the playoff. Spain goes through to Qatar on a draw, and Sweden would go to the playoff.
Spain has, apparently, NEVER lost at home in a WC qualifier. 
An open match, Forsberg already missed one big chance.
Meanwhile, Portugal 1-0 up over Serbia after two minutes as Gudelj weakly lost the ball to Bernardo Silva's challenge
in front of his own area (Serbians vehemently protested that it had been a foul, but no dice). Since, Serbia have been
the more dangerous team and Du+ian Vlahovi-c hit the woodwork.
Also, following their appearance at the Euros and the surprise win in Germany, North Macedonia have deservedly
qualified for the play-offs.
Ciao,
Werner
--- SBBSecho 3.06-Win32
 * Origin: SportNet Gateway Site (24:150/2)
 
From 
Michael Falkner@24:150/2 to 
rec.sport.soccer on Mon Nov 15 13:50:53 2021
 
 
Here's Monday:
Congratulations to Switzerland and England for formal qualification.
On Saturday, November 13, 2021 at 5:19:53 PM UTC-8, Michael Falkner wrote:
Group C: 
Italy and Switzerland on 15 points, all others eliminated. 
Italy goes to Northern Ireland, Switzerland hosts Bulgaria. That's Monday. 
Italy is two goals scored and two goal difference clear of Switzerland in the group. Switzerland would have to make up both that goal difference and possibly the goals scored to clear the group. 
Switzerland wins the group and the direct spot, Italy to the playoff.  Italy draws Northern Ireland scoreless.  Switzerland 4-0 over Bulgaria.  (I erred that earlier too.)
Group I: 
England 23 pts 
Poland 20 pts 
All others eliminated. 
England put TEN on San Marino.  Nuff said.
Qatar-bound: Germany, Belgium, Denmark, Spain, Serbia, Croatia, Switzerland, England, France
Only the three-team Group G situation tomorrow to resolve for direct spot.  After tomorrow, we will have all ten direct UEFA qualifiers.
 
Playoff bound: Scotland, Wales, Czech Republic, Austria (which resolves the two Nations League spots), Russia, Portugal, Italy,  Sweden, Poland
The second Group G (tomorrow), second Group J and D (Wednesday) all that remains for the playoff.
Mike
--- SBBSecho 3.06-Win32
 * Origin: SportNet Gateway Site (24:150/2)