But it wasn't about them finishing second, man!

The top-ranked side based on results from both the Euro 2008 and Germany 06 qualifiers joins Austria, Switzerland and Greece among the top seeds - but the co-hosts are so weak that this confers no advantage at all. Indeed, it may well prove a DISadvantage. So already-qualified sides have been falling over themselves to lose a game, thereby weaken their coefficient - and Croatia's defeat on Saturday left them unable to catch Holland. Holland lost yesterday, Croatia won - but by my calculations, that leaves the Oranje on 2.42 pts ave, and Croatia on 2.41. It was THAT close.

Posted By: thebigfeller, Nov 22, 13:09:55