After China & UAE made it through to the Draft World Cup finals last time out, we now have 11 teams qualified, and today we get our 12th, as we're back in Europe once again.
Group F in Europe contains the reigning DWC champions, Germany. They will be expected to get through in first place here, although Ukraine are a fairly tough 2nd-ranked team. However, Ukraine themselves will need to watch out for a handy Czechia team, whilst Serbia can be dangerous. At the other end, Ireland have never been close to qualifying, and their main aim will be to finish above new boys Sicily - rivals Northern Ireland failed to stay above of Catalonia in Group D.
Matchday 1
Robert Lewandowski showcased his lethal goalscoring with a first half brace against Ireland. Despite Ireland picking up a half time just before the break, they managed to keep the scoreline respectable, only conceding a third in injury time as Mats Hummels headed in. Ukraine also started with a comfortable win, beating Sicily 2-0. The closest game on paper was between Czechia and Serbia, but it didn't prove to be close, as Czechia ran away with a stylish 3-0 win.
Matchday 2
Each of the winning teams in the previous round had scored a penalty, and spot kicks were crucial as Sicily visited Serbia. The hosts went ahead through Ben Mohamed's penalty, and won 1-0 as Sicily's Andrea D'Amico couldn't convert his own penalty in the 88th minute. It was much easier for Czechia, who looked very dangerous as they won 4-0 away to Ireland. The biggest game of the round saw Ukraine host Germany. After a scoreless first half, Thiago opened the scoring for Germany as he clinically volleyed home Marco Reus' corner. 10 minutes later, Marlos headed home to level for Ukraine, and there was another penalty in the 88th minute - this time to Ukraine, and Marlos put it away to earn his team a big 2-1 win.
Matchday 1
Robert Lewandowski showcased his lethal goalscoring with a first half brace against Ireland. Despite Ireland picking up a half time just before the break, they managed to keep the scoreline respectable, only conceding a third in injury time as Mats Hummels headed in. Ukraine also started with a comfortable win, beating Sicily 2-0. The closest game on paper was between Czechia and Serbia, but it didn't prove to be close, as Czechia ran away with a stylish 3-0 win.
Matchday 2
Each of the winning teams in the previous round had scored a penalty, and spot kicks were crucial as Sicily visited Serbia. The hosts went ahead through Ben Mohamed's penalty, and won 1-0 as Sicily's Andrea D'Amico couldn't convert his own penalty in the 88th minute. It was much easier for Czechia, who looked very dangerous as they won 4-0 away to Ireland. The biggest game of the round saw Ukraine host Germany. After a scoreless first half, Thiago opened the scoring for Germany as he clinically volleyed home Marco Reus' corner. 10 minutes later, Marlos headed home to level for Ukraine, and there was another penalty in the 88th minute - this time to Ukraine, and Marlos put it away to earn his team a big 2-1 win.
Matchday 3
So, Germany are now already playing catch-up to Ukraine and Czechia. They had the chance to pull back level with one of those as they visited Prague. Lewandowski fired Germany ahead, but once again they surrendered their lead as Michael Krmencik grabbed his 4th of the campaign. In the 81st minute Philippe Coutinho was caught on the ball, and Krmencik was played in to get his 5th. Not content, Czechia added another 3 minutes later as Roman Hubnik lashed home following a corner. A 3-1 victory and Germany are already in real trouble. This wasn't helped by Ukraine getting 3 more points, as two Victors - Kovalenko and Tsygankov - were on the scoresheet as they won 2-0 away to Serbia. Elsewhere, the two bottom sides met in search of their first points. It was Ireland who confidently got all three, a brace from Michael Duffy part of a 3-0 victory.
So, Germany are now already playing catch-up to Ukraine and Czechia. They had the chance to pull back level with one of those as they visited Prague. Lewandowski fired Germany ahead, but once again they surrendered their lead as Michael Krmencik grabbed his 4th of the campaign. In the 81st minute Philippe Coutinho was caught on the ball, and Krmencik was played in to get his 5th. Not content, Czechia added another 3 minutes later as Roman Hubnik lashed home following a corner. A 3-1 victory and Germany are already in real trouble. This wasn't helped by Ukraine getting 3 more points, as two Victors - Kovalenko and Tsygankov - were on the scoresheet as they won 2-0 away to Serbia. Elsewhere, the two bottom sides met in search of their first points. It was Ireland who confidently got all three, a brace from Michael Duffy part of a 3-0 victory.
Matchday 4
Poor Sicily had to visit an angry Germany, who promptly routed them 8-0. And they were certain to close the gap to one of the teams above them, as Ukraine and Czechia faced each other. Ukraine took advantage of poor defending to quickly go up 3-0. David Limbersky's solo goal got one back for Czechia, but Ukraine made it 4-1 by half time as Junior Moraes completed a hat trick. They kept going in the second half, and a brace for Taison and another for Moraes completed a comprehensive 7-1 victory. Meanwhile, Serbia came away from Dublin 2-0 winners to stay in the hunt.
Poor Sicily had to visit an angry Germany, who promptly routed them 8-0. And they were certain to close the gap to one of the teams above them, as Ukraine and Czechia faced each other. Ukraine took advantage of poor defending to quickly go up 3-0. David Limbersky's solo goal got one back for Czechia, but Ukraine made it 4-1 by half time as Junior Moraes completed a hat trick. They kept going in the second half, and a brace for Taison and another for Moraes completed a comprehensive 7-1 victory. Meanwhile, Serbia came away from Dublin 2-0 winners to stay in the hunt.
Matchday 5
Poor old Sicily, now having to take on a Czechia looking to bounce back. They did exactly that, racing 4-0 up. Carmine Giordano smashed one in for Sicily to give them their first DWC goal, as they lost 4-1. It was even better news for Czechia as Germany laboured to a 0-0 draw away to Serbia. This was, of course, also great news for Ukraine, who continued their perfect campaign as they overcame a stubborn Ireland 2-0.
Poor old Sicily, now having to take on a Czechia looking to bounce back. They did exactly that, racing 4-0 up. Carmine Giordano smashed one in for Sicily to give them their first DWC goal, as they lost 4-1. It was even better news for Czechia as Germany laboured to a 0-0 draw away to Serbia. This was, of course, also great news for Ukraine, who continued their perfect campaign as they overcame a stubborn Ireland 2-0.
How much trouble are Germany in? Well, here's the table:
Germany surely need to win at least 4 of their next 5 games to even get into the play-offs. If they do find themselves eliminated, it would be - by far - the biggest side to fail to make the DWC finals. Can they get back into it?
Matchday 6
Germany did exactly what they needed, beating Ireland 5-1. Czechia had to travel to Serbia to restore their 5-point lead, and they were the ones to open the scoring through Hubnik. However, a minute later and former Liverpool man Lazar Markovic had Serbia level, and 7 minutes after that Markovic's cross was headed in by Milan Pavkov to earn Serbia a 2-1 win. As well as tightening up the race for 2nd, it also allowed Ukraine to put further distance between them and Czechia as they hosted Sicily. Two superb long-range goals each for Kovalenko and Maycon were the highlights as Ukraine comprehensively battered Sicily 8-0, racking up 45 shots in the process.
Matchday 6
Germany did exactly what they needed, beating Ireland 5-1. Czechia had to travel to Serbia to restore their 5-point lead, and they were the ones to open the scoring through Hubnik. However, a minute later and former Liverpool man Lazar Markovic had Serbia level, and 7 minutes after that Markovic's cross was headed in by Milan Pavkov to earn Serbia a 2-1 win. As well as tightening up the race for 2nd, it also allowed Ukraine to put further distance between them and Czechia as they hosted Sicily. Two superb long-range goals each for Kovalenko and Maycon were the highlights as Ukraine comprehensively battered Sicily 8-0, racking up 45 shots in the process.
Matchday 7
The biggest obstacle to Ukraine getting a perfect 30/30 points in this group was their trip to Dortmund to face Germany. Ukraine had to play on the back foot more than they were used to, but they soaked up the pressure, and Moraes' header just after the break ultimately gave them a 1-0 win to put them on the verge of qualification. Another huge set-back for Germany. Czechia struggled to take advantage, however, as they fell behind to Ireland. It took until the 89th minute for Czechia to level, as Milan Skoda nodded in. They couldn't find another, so a 1-1 draw has to count as two dropped points. It looked to be a similar story as Serbia visited Sicily, as the hosts lead 1-0 only for Serbia to equalise. However, Serbia did find a winning goal - and once again it was a Mohamed penalty. Poor old Sicily.
Matchday 8
Ukraine just had to avoid defeat to Serbia to earn their place in the DWC finals, and a Moraes brace got them that with a 2-0 win. That defeat meant Germany could go level on points with both Serbia and Czechia if they beat the latter. Serge Gnabry scored a solo goal in the 19th minute, and it proved enough for victory. Meanwhile, Ireland scored some lovely long-range efforts as they beat Sicily 4-0, surely ending their opponents' hopes of a maiden DWC win - or even a point.
The biggest obstacle to Ukraine getting a perfect 30/30 points in this group was their trip to Dortmund to face Germany. Ukraine had to play on the back foot more than they were used to, but they soaked up the pressure, and Moraes' header just after the break ultimately gave them a 1-0 win to put them on the verge of qualification. Another huge set-back for Germany. Czechia struggled to take advantage, however, as they fell behind to Ireland. It took until the 89th minute for Czechia to level, as Milan Skoda nodded in. They couldn't find another, so a 1-1 draw has to count as two dropped points. It looked to be a similar story as Serbia visited Sicily, as the hosts lead 1-0 only for Serbia to equalise. However, Serbia did find a winning goal - and once again it was a Mohamed penalty. Poor old Sicily.
Matchday 8
Ukraine just had to avoid defeat to Serbia to earn their place in the DWC finals, and a Moraes brace got them that with a 2-0 win. That defeat meant Germany could go level on points with both Serbia and Czechia if they beat the latter. Serge Gnabry scored a solo goal in the 19th minute, and it proved enough for victory. Meanwhile, Ireland scored some lovely long-range efforts as they beat Sicily 4-0, surely ending their opponents' hopes of a maiden DWC win - or even a point.
Matchday 9
With three teams tied in 2nd, this is a really exciting group. Czechia, already in a slump, had to host Ukraine. But against all expectation, an early Krmencik brace got them a 2-0 win to end Ukraine's super run and keep Czechia right in contention. Serbia stayed in the hunt as they beat Ireland 1-0. Meanwhile, Germany just had to beat Sicily to keep afloat. Surely they could beat 0-point Sicily? ... Surely? ... Yes, of course they did - I can't believe you thought they might have slipped up. A routine 4-0 win.
So with one game left, this is the table:
With three teams tied in 2nd, this is a really exciting group. Czechia, already in a slump, had to host Ukraine. But against all expectation, an early Krmencik brace got them a 2-0 win to end Ukraine's super run and keep Czechia right in contention. Serbia stayed in the hunt as they beat Ireland 1-0. Meanwhile, Germany just had to beat Sicily to keep afloat. Surely they could beat 0-point Sicily? ... Surely? ... Yes, of course they did - I can't believe you thought they might have slipped up. A routine 4-0 win.
So with one game left, this is the table:
Given the goal differences, any win for Germany should be enough, and likewise a win for Czechia coupled with Germany failing to win would be enough for Czechia. It looks tough for Serbia, as they are away to Germany, whilst Czechia have on paper the easiest match of the group, home to Czechia. So, who's going to avoid elimination?
Matchday 10
Czechia clinically did the job required of them, as they beat Sicily 5-0. This effectively eliminated Serbia, but they could still take Germany with them. So, to Dortmund. Lewandowski had the first big chance, played clean through, but Milan Borjan produced an excellent low save. Borjan also denied Reus, but soon after the Serbian defence was caught out by Axel Witsel's early cross, and Reus had the freedom of the box to put Germany ahead. Reus added a second from a goalmouth scramble just after the half time break, but Serbia quickly responded through Nemanja Miletic. Pavkov went close with a header, but Serbia couldn't find a way level, and a 2-1 win secured Germany's play-off spot. Elsewhere, Ukraine finished with a 3-0 win against Ireland.
Matchday 10
Czechia clinically did the job required of them, as they beat Sicily 5-0. This effectively eliminated Serbia, but they could still take Germany with them. So, to Dortmund. Lewandowski had the first big chance, played clean through, but Milan Borjan produced an excellent low save. Borjan also denied Reus, but soon after the Serbian defence was caught out by Axel Witsel's early cross, and Reus had the freedom of the box to put Germany ahead. Reus added a second from a goalmouth scramble just after the half time break, but Serbia quickly responded through Nemanja Miletic. Pavkov went close with a header, but Serbia couldn't find a way level, and a 2-1 win secured Germany's play-off spot. Elsewhere, Ukraine finished with a 3-0 win against Ireland.
Confirmation of the final table:
A very, very lucky escape for Germany. They go into the European play-offs, but they'll need to be better than they were here. Czechia fought valiantly, and will have particularly rued their heavy defeat against Ukraine. Serbia also performed better than expected, whilst Sicily's debut DWC didn't go well. Ukraine looked really good here, and will be optimistic ahead of the DWC finals.
Next time we get our fourth African qualifiers, with Algeria as favourites to get through.
Next time we get our fourth African qualifiers, with Algeria as favourites to get through.