Yesterday evening was the draw for the qualifying for the 2014 football world cup. Why were there musical interludes, no-one wanted to see that at all it was a waste of time when most people really only wanted to see who they have drawn. Its indicative of the contempt FIFA has for the average football person these days. I also wondered why South America effectively get 6 teams in the finals out of 10. 60% is too large in my opinion. Ok its only 5.5 spaces because Brazil are the hosts and the .5 is a play off against the Asia play off nation. With Brazil the Ghosts South America should forego one of the 4.5 they have and it be given to another confederation with more nations such as Asia directly.

Anyway on to the European Groups, How do Norway be seeded and France not. Norway didn't make it to South Africa but are somehow a top seed, Bizarre stuff.

Group A: Croatia, Serbia, Belgium, Scotland, Macedonia,Wales

Group A includes two of the home nations in Scotland and Wales, three ex Yugoslavian nations and Belgium. With no football powerhouse in this group but several tough teams it will be hard but not impossible for Scotland and Wales to both do well. Wales have recently fallen into the lowest seeds group and this group gives them the possibility to increase their rankings and get a bit easier draw next time around. Scotland could surprise them all and win the group if they can win all of their home games and pick up some points away from Hamden. Belgium have a lot of really good young up and coming players and will do well and the multiple local rivalries between Serbia, Croatia and Macedonia means this group is wide open.

GROUP B: Italy, Denmark, Czech Republic, Bulgaria, Armenia, Malta.

I expect Italy to win this group but with Denmark, Czech Republic and Bulgaria there will be some tough games for the Azzuri especially away. I don't expect Armenia and Malta to pick up many points apart from maybe against each other so this group will likely be a fight between the Czechs, Danes and Bulgarians for the playoff place.

GROUP C: Germany, Sweden,Republic of Ireland, Austria, Faroe Islands, Kazakhstan

With only 2 losses in their last 74 world cup qualifying games I expect Germany to win this group and the fight for second to be between Sweden and the Republic of Ireland. Had the rankings been very slightly different Wales would have replaced the Faroe islands and strangely being a lower seed seems to have given them more games where they can pick up points.

GROUP D: Holland, Turkey, Hungary, Romania, Estonia, Andorra

I will be very surprised if Holland don't comfortably win this group. The only real danger to them in this group is Turkey who have a decent side. Andorra once again will be the whipping boys of the group and a three way fight for third between Hungary Romania and Estonia could be very interesting to watch.

GROUP E: Norway,Slovenia, Switzerland, Albania, Cyprus, Iceland

Somehow Norway are a top seeded team and this group is wide open. Both Switzerland and Slovenia must think they have a real chance of winning this group along side Norway who will want to protect their ranking.

GROUP F: Portugal,Russia, Israel,Northern Ireland ,Azerbaijan, Luxembourg

Northern Ireland have a decent group for them and although realistically they will finish fourth if they can keep a very good home record then sneaking second is not out of the question. I do expect Portugal to win the group and Russia to get the play offs though.

GROUP G: Greece, Slovakia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Lithuania, Latvia, Liechtenstein

Another group wher ethe second and third seeds will think they have a chance of winning the group if they get a good run of form.

GROUP H: England, Montenegro, Ukraine, Poland, Moldova, San Marino

England have a lot of familiar nations in their group Poland, who we seem to draw every time around, Ukraine and Montenegro who we have played recently. While England have played San Marino before it was 1994 World cup qualification the last time where we failed to get there and the game which spawned the phrase, “Do I not like that” from Graham Taylor. As far as I am aware England have never played Moldova as until 1998 they were part of first Romania then the USSR. I don't know a lot about them but their rankings and previous results lead me to believe they wont cause too many problems. England should win this group comfortably and anything less than a simple qualification for who ever is the new manager will mean they should be out of a job.

GROUP I:Spain, France, Belarus, Georgia, Finland

France must be gutted to get Spain in their group. Most of the other top seeds they might have had a chance with but Spain will win this group. The fact its a 5 team group and the other three wont cause much of a problem means France will be in the play offs.

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