UEFA Euro 2016 Qualifiers, Schedule: Netherlands, Belgium Among Teams to Watch
The European Qualifiers get back underway on Thursday and include some major matchups that will have huge implications for their respective groups. The top two sides in each group make it through to the tournament, while the third place sides duke it out in a playoff.
Here are the matches with biggest implications on Thursday.
Netherlands vs. Iceland
Undoubtedly the showcase of the day, this match could be a sink or swim situation for the Dutch. Already five point behind Iceland for first place, the team stands to lose more ground if it draws or loses this game. While the Czech Republic (second in the group with 13 points) takes on Kazakhstan, the worst team in Group A with one point, the Dutch take on the top side. A loss for the Netherlands leaves them at 10 while Czech Republic and Iceland climb to 16 and 18 points respectively. At that point, the teams have just three matches left and the Dutch would need to win out the slate and hope that one of those sides drops points in every single game.
Belgium vs. Bosnia and Herzegovina
A huge game if there ever was one. The Belgians lost to Wales and are currently just two points ahead of Israel and Cyprus in second place. Meanwhile Bosnia is just three points back of Belgium for second place. Essentially a win here for either team makes or breaks the race for second place. If Bosnia wins, then they are right back in it with only Andorra, Cyprus and Wales standing in their way; the match against Wales is at home which should benefit them. A win for Belgium puts them in a temporary driving seat, holding back one of Cyprus and Israel (or both if they drop points). Israel gets Andorra while the Cypriots get group leading Wales. Israel is likely to top the Andorrans, who have zero points in six games and are elimited from contention.
Bulgaria vs. Norway
Unlike the other matchups mentioned here, this one is not filled with star players, but the stakes are rather high for both teams. Italy is facing Malta and likely has three points secure to move up in the standings; Croatia gets minnow Azerbaijan and should likewise continue its ascent in the standings atop the group. That leaves these two sides locked in battle for third place. Bulgaria has eight points, just two back of Norway with 10. This match could well determine which side winds up finishing third in this group.
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