UEFA
World Cup '98
Qualification

The group winners are Denmark and Croatia. Denmark qualified automatically while Croatia had to play second round home and away matches versus Ukraine to qualify.

England qualified automatically while Italy had to play second round home and away matches versus Russia to qualify. Italy barely missed out on their second ever nonqualification to a World Cup Finals event. They are going this year, but they should learn to score more points or else!.. See them do alright in the World Cup but England will at least be in the semi-finals!..

The group winner is Norway, and Hungary failed to qualify versus Yougoslavia in the second round. In a matter of fact, Hungary has never seen such a huge loss at home in 88 years when they lost 8-1 to Yougoslavia at home! I see Yougoslavia doing real well in this World Cup..

The group winners are Austria and Scotland. Both of these teams qualified automatically: Austria being first in its group, and Scotland, having the best overall second place finish of all 9 second place finishers. See how this was done..

The group winner is Bulgaria while Russia failed to beat tough but talented Italy in their 2nd round home and away matches. Russia got unlucky but they just should have beaten Cyprus and they were in! Another time comrads...

Spain qualified automatically while Yougoslavia showed that it deserved a place in France's World Cup 98. It outscored Bulgaria 15-1 in its second round home and away matches to qualify. Both of these teams will do well in the World Cup final round. Yougoslavia might be a surprise!

The Netherlands have won this group but it was another battle from the Low Lands! Do you think these two countries will see each other again in Finals?!! The Netherlands are still indebted to their fellow Turks from whom they've imported their famous tulips...! Belgium fared well, and beating Ireland 3-2 in the 2nd round home and away matches earned them their place in the Finals event.

Romania are clear victors here. Ireland? Well, if the UK can send two of its countries to the World Cup next year, is three asking for too much? You did well guys.. Keep drinking a lot of beer and you'll send your half-drunken men off to some good offense :) .

Germany. Germany, Germany, Germany.. Always Germany.. Don't these guys know how to loose in World Cup Qualifying? They did have some challenge in this group with both Portugal (surprise 3rd place finisher) but also Ukraine (first time seekers for a World Cup Finals event). Germany tied way too many times but Portugal did worse.. Ukraine lost to Croatia in the second round.

UEFA Second Round Qualifying Results!

Go here, and you'll see how UEFA's 9 best second place finishers in the first round of qualification had to compete for five more France 98 qualifying spots!