As always, European qualifying forges ahead in the Draft World Cup qualification process. We've already had two sides - Turkey and France - get through to this year's DWC finals, and we'll get a third today.
This is how European qualification has gone so far:
This is how European qualification has gone so far:
Group C is possibly the closest one of the whole lot, with Greece somehow still a top seed despite missing out on last year's DWC. Russia also did, and they will view this as a very winnable group. Norway are handy, whilst Austria are not to be underestimated as fourth seeds, when they have players from the excellent RB Salzburg team. Gibraltar and Moldova will likely be feeding on scraps in this group.
Matchday 1
The group started with a tasty encounter as Greece visited Russia. Malcom's rabona cross allowed André Schurrle to open the scoring for Russia, but Greece levelled as Ognjen Vranjes headed in a free kick. Russia retook the lead as Manuel Fernandes put away a penalty, only for Greece to score from another set piece, this time through André Simoes. As the clock ticked exactly 90:00 Malcom got onto the end of a loose ball to seemingly win it, only for Greece to score immediately following the kick-off, as Vieirinha's low cross was deflected into the path of Youssef El Arabi to poke home. 3-3, what a game. Elsewhere, Austria were effective at putting Gibraltar away 3-1, whilst the biggest surprise of the round was Moldova completing a resounding 3-0 win over Norway to take an early lead in the group.
Matchday 1
The group started with a tasty encounter as Greece visited Russia. Malcom's rabona cross allowed André Schurrle to open the scoring for Russia, but Greece levelled as Ognjen Vranjes headed in a free kick. Russia retook the lead as Manuel Fernandes put away a penalty, only for Greece to score from another set piece, this time through André Simoes. As the clock ticked exactly 90:00 Malcom got onto the end of a loose ball to seemingly win it, only for Greece to score immediately following the kick-off, as Vieirinha's low cross was deflected into the path of Youssef El Arabi to poke home. 3-3, what a game. Elsewhere, Austria were effective at putting Gibraltar away 3-1, whilst the biggest surprise of the round was Moldova completing a resounding 3-0 win over Norway to take an early lead in the group.
Matchday 2
Moldova couldn't hold onto their lead in the group, as they succumbed 1-0 to Greece thanks to a rocket from Guilherme. Gibraltar looked on course for an upset of their own, as Leonardo Carboni struck against Russia, but Malcon swiftly equalised. Russia, however, otherwise struggled to break Gibraltar down, and the game finished 1-1. Norway and Austria played out a hard-fought match, with the deadlock eventually broken as Austria's Jérome Onguéné put a sweetly-struck volley home in the 72nd minute, and 7 minutes later the man-of-the-moment Erling Haaland added a second to continue Austria's perfect start.
Moldova couldn't hold onto their lead in the group, as they succumbed 1-0 to Greece thanks to a rocket from Guilherme. Gibraltar looked on course for an upset of their own, as Leonardo Carboni struck against Russia, but Malcon swiftly equalised. Russia, however, otherwise struggled to break Gibraltar down, and the game finished 1-1. Norway and Austria played out a hard-fought match, with the deadlock eventually broken as Austria's Jérome Onguéné put a sweetly-struck volley home in the 72nd minute, and 7 minutes later the man-of-the-moment Erling Haaland added a second to continue Austria's perfect start.
Matchday 3
This perfect start was halted following a trip to Moscow, but a 0-0 draw is not a bad result at all for Austria. It meant, however, they were joined at the top of the group by Greece, who beat Norway 2-0, meaning their opponents remained without a goal or a point. Meanwhile, the group's two underdogs met. Yuriy Kendysh put Moldova ahead, only for Juampe to equalise with a spectacular volley. It looked to be points shared until the 3rd minute of added time when Óliver Fula pounced to win it for Moldova.
This perfect start was halted following a trip to Moscow, but a 0-0 draw is not a bad result at all for Austria. It meant, however, they were joined at the top of the group by Greece, who beat Norway 2-0, meaning their opponents remained without a goal or a point. Meanwhile, the group's two underdogs met. Yuriy Kendysh put Moldova ahead, only for Juampe to equalise with a spectacular volley. It looked to be points shared until the 3rd minute of added time when Óliver Fula pounced to win it for Moldova.
Matchday 4
It took Norway all of 14 seconds against Russia to finally get on the scoresheet, as Ohi Omoijuanfo hared away to score. Magnus Wolff Eikrem added another and a 2-0 win got Norway off the mark and left Russia in a world of trouble. Austria and Greece kept up the pace with each other as they each narrowly won - Austria beating Moldova 2-1, and Greece beating Gibraltar 1-0.
It took Norway all of 14 seconds against Russia to finally get on the scoresheet, as Ohi Omoijuanfo hared away to score. Magnus Wolff Eikrem added another and a 2-0 win got Norway off the mark and left Russia in a world of trouble. Austria and Greece kept up the pace with each other as they each narrowly won - Austria beating Moldova 2-1, and Greece beating Gibraltar 1-0.
Matchday 5
This round saw the first keenly-anticipated clash between Greece and Austria, and it didn't disappoint. Greece took the spoils with a 2-0 win, with the goals coming from outstanding volleys from Mathieu Valbuena and Simoes. Norway scraped another win, defeating Gibraltar 1-0, whilst Moldova held off Russia for a 0-0 draw.
This round saw the first keenly-anticipated clash between Greece and Austria, and it didn't disappoint. Greece took the spoils with a 2-0 win, with the goals coming from outstanding volleys from Mathieu Valbuena and Simoes. Norway scraped another win, defeating Gibraltar 1-0, whilst Moldova held off Russia for a 0-0 draw.
So here is the table halfway into the group:
Russia appear to have completely blown it. Somehow, Moldova and Norway are still in the hunt, whilst Greece are now in a strong position.
Matchday 6
Moldova preserved their third place as Andriy Bliznichenko scored a late volley to earn a 1-1 draw away to Norway. However, Moldova lost ground to Austria, who overcame Gibraltar by a single Takumi Minamino solo goal. Meanwhile, Russia travelled to Greece in what was surely their last chance in this group. They fell behind to an unlikely source - Emanuel Insúa - and couldn't get back level, succumbing to a fatal 1-0 defeat.
Matchday 7
Finally a win for Russia! They record a fairly routine 2-0 win over Gibraltar. However, it's surely too little too late. It now also looks too late for Moldova and Norway, who lost 5-1 to Greece and 3-0 to Austria respectively. It's fair to say that this is definitely a two-horse race now.
Matchday 6
Moldova preserved their third place as Andriy Bliznichenko scored a late volley to earn a 1-1 draw away to Norway. However, Moldova lost ground to Austria, who overcame Gibraltar by a single Takumi Minamino solo goal. Meanwhile, Russia travelled to Greece in what was surely their last chance in this group. They fell behind to an unlikely source - Emanuel Insúa - and couldn't get back level, succumbing to a fatal 1-0 defeat.
Matchday 7
Finally a win for Russia! They record a fairly routine 2-0 win over Gibraltar. However, it's surely too little too late. It now also looks too late for Moldova and Norway, who lost 5-1 to Greece and 3-0 to Austria respectively. It's fair to say that this is definitely a two-horse race now.
Matchday 8
Whilst Russia may effectively be out, they can still cause a disruption, as Schurrle put them into the lead against Austria. However, Minamino equalised and a late penalty from Michael Liendl earned Austria a priceless win. And it moved them to within one point of Greece as their group rivals could only draw 1-1 away to Norway. Meanwhile, Gibraltar doubled their points tally with a 0-0 draw with Moldova.
Matchday 9
Austria ensured that this would go to the final day as a Masaya Okugawa brace saw off Moldova 2-0. And Greece ensured they would have the advantage on this final day as they battered Gibraltar 5-0. Meanwhile, Russia and Norway summed up their campaigns with a 0-0 draw.
So this is the table going into the final round of games:
Whilst Russia may effectively be out, they can still cause a disruption, as Schurrle put them into the lead against Austria. However, Minamino equalised and a late penalty from Michael Liendl earned Austria a priceless win. And it moved them to within one point of Greece as their group rivals could only draw 1-1 away to Norway. Meanwhile, Gibraltar doubled their points tally with a 0-0 draw with Moldova.
Matchday 9
Austria ensured that this would go to the final day as a Masaya Okugawa brace saw off Moldova 2-0. And Greece ensured they would have the advantage on this final day as they battered Gibraltar 5-0. Meanwhile, Russia and Norway summed up their campaigns with a 0-0 draw.
So this is the table going into the final round of games:
Excitingly, Austria host Greece in the final round of games...
Matchday 10
The equation is that if Austria can beat Greece, they qualify - if not, it's Greece who will be at the DWC. And that looked much more likely when Kostas Fortounis put the Greeks ahead with a stunning long-range shot. Greece's Marko Livaka had a one-on-one saved, but Austria couldn't find a way to take advantage. They were given a lifeline in the 72nd minute when Insúa picked up a second yellow, but they couldn't find the breakthrough, and fell to a 1-0 defeat. Elsewhere, Russia and Moldova traded penalties in a 1-1 draw, and that was enough for Moldova to take third place as Norway laboured to an away draw against Gibraltar.
Matchday 10
The equation is that if Austria can beat Greece, they qualify - if not, it's Greece who will be at the DWC. And that looked much more likely when Kostas Fortounis put the Greeks ahead with a stunning long-range shot. Greece's Marko Livaka had a one-on-one saved, but Austria couldn't find a way to take advantage. They were given a lifeline in the 72nd minute when Insúa picked up a second yellow, but they couldn't find the breakthrough, and fell to a 1-0 defeat. Elsewhere, Russia and Moldova traded penalties in a 1-1 draw, and that was enough for Moldova to take third place as Norway laboured to an away draw against Gibraltar.
Here's confirmation of the final table:
Austria's finish with the same number of points as Poland in Group B, but their goal difference is slightly worse, so they know they'll have to contest the European play-offs no matter what. However, their performance in this group will give them a heap of confidence. Meanwhile, it's a real horror show for Russia who - on paper - have a squad that should be looking at the last 16 in the DWC finals.
Next time we see who the second African team to qualify will be. South Africa and Ivory Coast are the bigger names in the group.
Next time we see who the second African team to qualify will be. South Africa and Ivory Coast are the bigger names in the group.