Wednesday, October 11, 2006

Terps and Euro's

Big day for futbol all over the globe today ... from KLOCKNER STADIUM in Charlottesville, Virginia to the LAUGARDALSVOLLUR in Reykjavik, Iceland.

BAD NEWS FIRST ...

The defending National Champion Maryland Terrapins were clobbered by arch-rival Virginia tonight by a 3-nil scoreline. The 2nd-ranked Terps were down by 2 goals at the break and are now winless in their last two games after a six-game win streak. They are back in action on Saturday night at home against Boston College, a game that will be televised on CN8.

On to matchday four of qualifying for the 2008 European Championships. A full slate of action was on the docket across the continent.

England was embarrassed in Croatia, inlcuding the gaff of the six year-old century by goalkeeper Paul Robinson. He whiffed on a back pass from his fullback Gary Neville and it resulted in an own goal. The 2-nil result leaves four teams (Enlgand, Croatia, Macedonia, and Israel) tied atop of Group E.

In one of the games that I was able to actually see, Sweden did just enough to esacpe terrible playing conditions in Iceland with a 2-1 win. Iceland went ahead early, but Sweden rallied with two unanswered goals including an absolute rocket from their free-kick specialist Kim Kallstrom. The Swedes have built a five-point cushion at the top of Group F.

In the 2nd game of a Fox Soccer Channel doubleheader, France scored less then 60 seconds into the match and rolled to a 5-nil thumping of the Faroe Islands. The Ukraine brought Scotland brought back down to earth after their shock weekend win over France. The struggling Andriy Schevchenko scored from the spot in the 90th minute in the 2-nil win. The results leave France and Scotland tied atop group B with nine points apiece. Italy kept pace, only two points behind, with a 3-1 win over Georgia.

Ireland recovered from their disasterous weekend loss in Cyprus by holding Group D leaders Czech Republic to a 1-1 draw at Lansdowne Road. It was the first point in three qualifying games for the Irish. Ireland Manager Steve Staunton looks to be on the way out.

Poland stunned group A favorites Portugal in Chorzow. The 2-1 win gives the Poles seven points from four games and vaults them into a tie for 3rd place in the group, behind Serbia and Finland.

And last, but certainly not least, the Dutch stayed atop Group G with a 2-1 win over Albania before 55,000 orange clad supporters in Amsterdam.

That's it for qualifyers for the month of October. Matchday five is November 15 with a slate of only seven games on the docket for that day. HERE are the current standings.

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