[Editor’s note: Today is the final day of the qualifying round for Euro 2012. John Lally provides us with a rundown of which of today’s 22 fixtures actually matter for qualification. Click through the “Group X” headings to see the group standings on UEFA’s site, click thru the hyperlinked fixtures for further TV info and match previews on livesoccertv.com]
Group A: Germany vs Belgium (1pmET ESPN2, ESPN Deportes,ESPN3.com) & Turkey vs Azerbaijan (1pmET, foxsoccer.tv): Germany already topped the group, Belgium is but a single point above Turkey in race for playoff spot. Turkey should win at home against Azerbaijan, meaning Belgium has to go into Dusseldorf and win against their powerful neighbors.
Group B: Republic of Ireland vs Armenia (1:45pmET ESPN3.com) – If Armenia win, they get the playoff spot, an Ireland win or draw gives them second place (Russia is in 1st place only 2 points Irealnd them but have a gimme against Andorra at home)
Group C: Serbia vs Slovenia (2:45pmET foxsoccer.tv) – Serbia need a win for the playoff spot, if they lose or draw, Estonia take that (Italy already won the group)
Group D: France vs Bosnia-Herzegovina (3pmET ESPN3.com) – France 1 point above B&H, win or draw they top the group, lose and B&H win it and other is in playoff (actually they might be best runner up anyway)
Group E: Decided Netherlands 1st, Sweden 2nd. So although it’s meaningless, you could tune in to watch Sweden vs Netherlands (2:15pmET ESPN3.com) .
Group F: Georgia vs Greece (1pmET ESPN3.com) – A point for Greece means they top the group. If they lose, a Croatia win at home against Latvia would give them top place and put Greece 2nd
Group G: Decided – England 1st, Montenegro 2nd
Group H: Denmark vs Portugal (2pmET ESPN3.com, tape at 7pmET on ESPN Deportes)- If Denmark win, they top the group, else Portugal do. Most likely group for 2nd place auto-qualifier to come from anyway
Group I: Spain vs Scotland; Lithuania vs Czech Republic – If Scotland match Czech result, they go into playoffs, if they lose gain few points, Czech Republic take 2nd place. Given that Czechs should beat Lithuania, Scotland has to win against the defending World Cup and Euro champions on their home turf (in Alicante, on the Mediterranean in the southwest of Spain)
