We’re very nearly at the end of the qualifying process for the 2018 Draft World Cup. All regular qualifying has finished, and we are now down to the play-offs. Today we are going to follow the first leg of European play-offs. This is contested by the sides that finished second in their qualifying groups, the outcomes of which can be seen below:
The exception is Italy, who as the side with the best record in their group get to avoid European qualifiers and instead go into the Intercontinental play-off, which is likely to be easier. So that leaves France, Ukraine, Denmark, Greece, Switzerland, Israel, Cyprus and Sweden to fight it out for the four remaining European spots in the finals.
Interestingly, of these eight teams four are highly-seeded thanks to their appearance at last year’s DWC finals, namely France, Ukraine, Greece and Switzerland, whilst the remaining four are much lower-ranked and have upset the odds to get this far (Cyprus did play in last year’s finals, but as part of the Mediterranean side alongside other nations).
The draw for the play-offs is totally random, so there are a number of tasty ties that could come up – for example neighbours France and Switzerland could reprise their clash from last year’s finals, or we could see an all-Scandinavian tie between Denmark and Sweden. This is how the draw went:
Interestingly, of these eight teams four are highly-seeded thanks to their appearance at last year’s DWC finals, namely France, Ukraine, Greece and Switzerland, whilst the remaining four are much lower-ranked and have upset the odds to get this far (Cyprus did play in last year’s finals, but as part of the Mediterranean side alongside other nations).
The draw for the play-offs is totally random, so there are a number of tasty ties that could come up – for example neighbours France and Switzerland could reprise their clash from last year’s finals, or we could see an all-Scandinavian tie between Denmark and Sweden. This is how the draw went:
Hmph, that could have been juicier. Still, there’s nothing to suggest these ties won’t give us the drama we want. Let’s get started!
Switzerland vs. Denmark
This could well be the most even of the four play-off ties. Switzerland made the last 16 in the 2017 DWC, but this time in qualifying they lost out to Hungary. Meanwhile, Denmark have rapidly improved on a terrible 2017 by finishing a good second to England, holding off the challenge of Romania.
Many of Switzerland’s players are experienced from last year’s campaign. For example, front man Guillaume Hoarau was key last year, and has been good so far this campaign. Denmark are playing with a narrow diamond formation with flying full backs and a compact trio in midfield, whilst attacking midfielder Youssef Toutouh is given license to push up and support the front two.
Switzerland vs. Denmark
This could well be the most even of the four play-off ties. Switzerland made the last 16 in the 2017 DWC, but this time in qualifying they lost out to Hungary. Meanwhile, Denmark have rapidly improved on a terrible 2017 by finishing a good second to England, holding off the challenge of Romania.
Many of Switzerland’s players are experienced from last year’s campaign. For example, front man Guillaume Hoarau was key last year, and has been good so far this campaign. Denmark are playing with a narrow diamond formation with flying full backs and a compact trio in midfield, whilst attacking midfielder Youssef Toutouh is given license to push up and support the front two.
It’s an open start, with both sides getting forwards. So it’s not a big surprise when the opening goal comes only 12 minutes in. It’s Denmark who score it, their front line working perfectly – Santander knocks it down to Pukki, who slips in Toutouh to score. Toutouh goes very close soon after, as Denmark start to look much stronger than their opponents. However, they are made to pay for failing to clear a free kick, as the ball comes in to Hoarau who finishes well. This settles Switzerland down, and the half ends with the two sides looking fairly even.
Denmark’s full backs are both on yellow cards, so both are replaced – their formation demands a lot of them, so it’s figured that it’s best to keep them fresh. However, it’s their central defenders who are to blame as a simple ball plays in Hoarau to put Switzerland ahead. Denmark have slightly drifted out of this match, their first decent chance for ages comes when centre back Johansson’s audacious bicycle kick flies wide. In the 68th minute Santander was holding up the ball in Switzerland’s half when Suchy launches into a terrible two-footed lunch, earning a red card and providing Denmark with an opportunity to get back into the game. However, they can’t create a single decent chance in the remaining 20+ minutes, and 2-1 is the final score. It’s an away goal for Denmark, but that has to go down as a poor result.
Denmark’s full backs are both on yellow cards, so both are replaced – their formation demands a lot of them, so it’s figured that it’s best to keep them fresh. However, it’s their central defenders who are to blame as a simple ball plays in Hoarau to put Switzerland ahead. Denmark have slightly drifted out of this match, their first decent chance for ages comes when centre back Johansson’s audacious bicycle kick flies wide. In the 68th minute Santander was holding up the ball in Switzerland’s half when Suchy launches into a terrible two-footed lunch, earning a red card and providing Denmark with an opportunity to get back into the game. However, they can’t create a single decent chance in the remaining 20+ minutes, and 2-1 is the final score. It’s an away goal for Denmark, but that has to go down as a poor result.
Greece vs. Sweden
This should be another fairly even game. Greece made the quarter-finals in last year’s DWC, and coupled with a good qualifying run last year, entered this tournament as the world number 6 side. However, they struggled in qualifying and only just survived elimination on goal difference. Sweden failed to make the play-offs last year, so this marks an improvement. They put together a great comeback to overtake Bulgaria in the table and secure their place here.
Greece stick with the Christmas tree formation that was very effective last year, and less effective this time round. Emmanuel Emenike leads the line, whilst behind him Kostas Fortounis is the side’s best-rated player. Sweden decide to go with Henok Goitom up front, after his goals were crucial in their late surge into the play-off place in their group.
This should be another fairly even game. Greece made the quarter-finals in last year’s DWC, and coupled with a good qualifying run last year, entered this tournament as the world number 6 side. However, they struggled in qualifying and only just survived elimination on goal difference. Sweden failed to make the play-offs last year, so this marks an improvement. They put together a great comeback to overtake Bulgaria in the table and secure their place here.
Greece stick with the Christmas tree formation that was very effective last year, and less effective this time round. Emmanuel Emenike leads the line, whilst behind him Kostas Fortounis is the side’s best-rated player. Sweden decide to go with Henok Goitom up front, after his goals were crucial in their late surge into the play-off place in their group.
In the 16th minute a Swedish free kick is poorly cleared by Greece, and Paulinho plays into Soren Rieks, who slots it home to open the scoring. It’s otherwise a dull start to the game, with the next incident of note being a match-ending injury for Obasi in the 32nd minute, with Ghoddos coming on. Coming up to half time Emenike and Goitom go close, but the score remains 1-0 to Sweden.
Fortounis has picked up a knock, but for now he is left on as neither side makes changes. Greece’s patience is rewarded as a corner is flicked on by Chygrynskyi and finished by his defensive partner Rodrigo Moledo. Two minutes later and Mauricio slides it through to Emenike, who buries it in the corner. Sweden cannot believe there no offside flag - the replay suggests it’s very close. Greece are dominating now, and Sweden don’t look like scoring at all. But in the 83rd minute Sweden swing in a corner, where sub Rosenberg meets it with a strong header. It hits the bar, flies upwards and lands in the middle of five Greeks, who contrive to knock the ball into their own goal. It goes down as an own goal for Engels, although all five should be ashamed. Sweden try to settle for a draw, but in the 89th minute they are undone by another corner, Moledo smashing in his second goal of the game. The final score of 3-2 is a deserved win for Greece – in fact Sweden are lucky to be within one goal.
Fortounis has picked up a knock, but for now he is left on as neither side makes changes. Greece’s patience is rewarded as a corner is flicked on by Chygrynskyi and finished by his defensive partner Rodrigo Moledo. Two minutes later and Mauricio slides it through to Emenike, who buries it in the corner. Sweden cannot believe there no offside flag - the replay suggests it’s very close. Greece are dominating now, and Sweden don’t look like scoring at all. But in the 83rd minute Sweden swing in a corner, where sub Rosenberg meets it with a strong header. It hits the bar, flies upwards and lands in the middle of five Greeks, who contrive to knock the ball into their own goal. It goes down as an own goal for Engels, although all five should be ashamed. Sweden try to settle for a draw, but in the 89th minute they are undone by another corner, Moledo smashing in his second goal of the game. The final score of 3-2 is a deserved win for Greece – in fact Sweden are lucky to be within one goal.
Israel vs. France
It’s been ages now since we were shocked by France’s failure to secure the first qualifying spot for the DWC finals, as they lost to Poland in their final group game to finish behind their opponents. They will be very pleased with this draw, however, as Israel are one of the lower-ranked sides in the play-offs. However, Israel will draw confidence from their run to get here, where they consigned Belgium to elimination.
With no real full-backs, Israel go with a 3-2-3-2 formation, which may struggle against France’s width. Particularly as France select their fearsome front line of Angel Di Maria, Edinson Cavani and some guy called Neymar. However, they look a bit less imposing at the back, with Layvin Kurzawa a potential weak link in the side.
It’s been ages now since we were shocked by France’s failure to secure the first qualifying spot for the DWC finals, as they lost to Poland in their final group game to finish behind their opponents. They will be very pleased with this draw, however, as Israel are one of the lower-ranked sides in the play-offs. However, Israel will draw confidence from their run to get here, where they consigned Belgium to elimination.
With no real full-backs, Israel go with a 3-2-3-2 formation, which may struggle against France’s width. Particularly as France select their fearsome front line of Angel Di Maria, Edinson Cavani and some guy called Neymar. However, they look a bit less imposing at the back, with Layvin Kurzawa a potential weak link in the side.
After only 160 seconds, Neymar is forced off injured, with Draxler coming on. That wasn’t in the script, as the world’s most expensive player can now do nothing to help his side make the DWC finals. To make matters worse, Draxler soon picks up a head knock, although he carries on for now. Away from the treatment table, France are really struggling to create chances, and the first effort of note comes from Israel’s Battocchio half an hour in, whose long shot sails just over. Israel then suffer their own loss of a left winger as Cuenca is forced off, Melikson replacing him. We’re scoreless at the break.
Draxler hasn’t been great, and is still carrying a knock, so is replaced by Falcao as France change to a narrow diamond, with Di Maria behind the two South American strikers. The change appears to work, as Cavani dispossesses Tzedek and crosses for Falcao, who is unmarked in the six-yard box, and promptly heads miles wide for one of the worst misses you’ll ever have described to you on a blog. It’s crucial as a couple of minutes a Melikson cross is nodded home by Vidar Orn Kjartansson for a shock Israeli lead! The same pairing combine for an even easier chance, but Kjartansson heads wide. A fine Alves overlap and cross gives Falcao another glorious headed chance which again goes begging. And once again, it’s punished by an Israel goal – this time a corner is cleared as far as Afonso Taira, who volleys it brilliantly into the bottom corner. France are in real, real trouble now, but it doesn’t spur them to improve as they fail to create any more chances. 2-0 the final score, and Israel stand on the brink of a massive upset.
Draxler hasn’t been great, and is still carrying a knock, so is replaced by Falcao as France change to a narrow diamond, with Di Maria behind the two South American strikers. The change appears to work, as Cavani dispossesses Tzedek and crosses for Falcao, who is unmarked in the six-yard box, and promptly heads miles wide for one of the worst misses you’ll ever have described to you on a blog. It’s crucial as a couple of minutes a Melikson cross is nodded home by Vidar Orn Kjartansson for a shock Israeli lead! The same pairing combine for an even easier chance, but Kjartansson heads wide. A fine Alves overlap and cross gives Falcao another glorious headed chance which again goes begging. And once again, it’s punished by an Israel goal – this time a corner is cleared as far as Afonso Taira, who volleys it brilliantly into the bottom corner. France are in real, real trouble now, but it doesn’t spur them to improve as they fail to create any more chances. 2-0 the final score, and Israel stand on the brink of a massive upset.
Ukraine vs. Cyprus
Ukraine go into this game as favourites, but after that last result we can see that means sod all. Ukraine picked up second place in their group behind a rampant Spain, whilst Cyprus were a surprise package, causing Austria and Slovakia’s elimination.
Ukraine go with a standard 4-2-3-1, with striker Junior Moraes fully capable of being a handful on his own, although he should get plenty of support from the men behind him. Cyprus also go 4-2-3-1, albeit a more defensive iteration. Tommy Oar on the left wing was excellent in the group stage, although he will be tested as he lines up against the veteran Darijo Srna.
Ukraine go into this game as favourites, but after that last result we can see that means sod all. Ukraine picked up second place in their group behind a rampant Spain, whilst Cyprus were a surprise package, causing Austria and Slovakia’s elimination.
Ukraine go with a standard 4-2-3-1, with striker Junior Moraes fully capable of being a handful on his own, although he should get plenty of support from the men behind him. Cyprus also go 4-2-3-1, albeit a more defensive iteration. Tommy Oar on the left wing was excellent in the group stage, although he will be tested as he lines up against the veteran Darijo Srna.
Ukraine start with real intent, and it takes only 70 seconds for the ball to be in the back of the Cyprus net. However, Taison was offside as the ball came to him, so his goal doesn’t count. Christofi has a long shot fly just wide as Cyprus try to make the most of that reprieve. But in the 22nd minute Yuste pushes Marlos in the box, and it’s a spot kick. It can only be Srna who steps up, and he powers it home for the opening goal. Cyprus should level when Oar’s cross finds Arruabarrena in the box, but he doesn’t connect cleanly and it goes wide. It’s 1-0 at half time.
It’s not been a free-flowing game, and once again the next big chance is a penalty. This time it’s for Cyprus as Khacheridi pushes Arruabarrena. Ruben Rayos is the man to take it, and he keeps his calm to level the score. Other shots are hopeful long efforts until the 77th minute when a devilish low cross by substitute Alan Patrick is turned home by Moraes. Following the restart Moraes dispossesses Yuste, putting him clean through on goal, but Waterman makes an important save. The match finishes 2-1, way too many goals for a relatively poor match.
It’s not been a free-flowing game, and once again the next big chance is a penalty. This time it’s for Cyprus as Khacheridi pushes Arruabarrena. Ruben Rayos is the man to take it, and he keeps his calm to level the score. Other shots are hopeful long efforts until the 77th minute when a devilish low cross by substitute Alan Patrick is turned home by Moraes. Following the restart Moraes dispossesses Yuste, putting him clean through on goal, but Waterman makes an important save. The match finishes 2-1, way too many goals for a relatively poor match.
Next time
Four matches, four home wins. Denmark, Sweden and Cyprus have only lost by one goal away from home, so will hope their away goals will be useful in their home legs. But the real story is how France have put themselves in a horrible position, 2-0 down going into their home tie, probably without star man Neymar. Anyway, we’ve got other play-offs to consider, as next time we see which sides from Asia and Oceania will go into the Intercontinental play-off.
Four matches, four home wins. Denmark, Sweden and Cyprus have only lost by one goal away from home, so will hope their away goals will be useful in their home legs. But the real story is how France have put themselves in a horrible position, 2-0 down going into their home tie, probably without star man Neymar. Anyway, we’ve got other play-offs to consider, as next time we see which sides from Asia and Oceania will go into the Intercontinental play-off.