Euro 2012 Championship Qualifying: Three Big Games To Watch
For several players, there is one thing better than playing for club, and that is playing for country.
Amidst the many European leagues already providing a great deal of headlines, storylines and talking points, there will be a huge bundle of players accepting bids to suit up for their respective national selections over the next week and a half.
Though the qualifying rounds will not finish until October 2011, this next set of 2010 fixtures on Oct. 8, 9, and 12 will weigh heavily on the final outcomes of the group qualifiers.
With the eyes of most of Europe watching, here are three matches that merit a little more attention than the others.
Portugal Vs. Denmark (Group H), Oct. 8
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Two very respectable squads will take the field on Friday in this Group H fixture.
Portugal find themselves in fourth place in the group after a sluggish first two games, drawing 4-4 with Cyprus followed by a harassing 1-0 defeat to Norway.
Finding form against the Danes on home grounds will be crucial in securing three points for the Portuguese.
Ronaldo did not play in the opening two matches. Will he suit up for country for a more significant contest against Denmark?
The Danish selection opened the qualifying round against Iceland, but it took a 90th-minute goal to sneak by with a 1-0 win.
Denmark's lineup is no cakewalk, holding top players like Christian Poulsen, Dennis Rommedahl and Daniel Agger, among others, and Portugal will have to come on full force and in great form to handle a talented Danish team.
This 3:45 PM ET kickoff figures to be one of the more exciting matches of the day.
Italy Vs. Serbia (Group C), Oct. 12
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Two games into the qualifying round, the Italians sit atop Group C with wins over Estonia and the Faroe Islands in what were expected victories.
After a very disappointing World Cup performance, the Azzurri look to continue its strong start in the Euro 2012 qualifiers.
The Italians will undoubtedly field a squad that can compete with the best in the world.
Their third fixture, however, figures to be a difficult task when they play host to the Serbian selection.
Following a 3-0 win over the Faroe Islands and a 1-1 draw with Slovenia, Serbia are second in Group C. Next Tuesday's 2:50 PM ET meeting with Italy likely puts the victor in position to win the group.
A roster headlined by Manchester United's Nemanja Vidic, the Serbians are highly capable underdogs that will give the 2006 World Cup Champions a run for their money.
Netherlands Vs. Sweden (Group E), Oct. 12
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Another group fixture matching top teams is Group E, when the Netherlands and Sweden meet in the Amsterdam Arena.
The Dutch, who cruised to the World Cup Final only to lose to Spain, are fielding a team not so different from the selection in South Africa.
Minus the injured Robin van Persie, the Oranje still boast a highly capable and talented team. Klass-Jan Huntelaar has scored five times in the first two qualifying matches, including a hat trick against San Marino in a 5-0 effort, and twice more in a 2-1 win over Finland.
Sweden also received little rebuttal from San Marino in a 6-0 bombardment. The Swedes are tied with the Dutch as the top team in the group, and the winner may very well have a distinct advantage over the inferior teams as qualifying play is completed.
The Swedish selection is topped by Milan's Zlatan Ibrahimović, who finds himself in great form in the Serie A. Containing the goal scorer will be key if the Dutch are to emerge victorious.
Though defense may not be the highlight in this game next Tuesday at 2:30 PM ET, there figures to be plenty of offensive firepower on the pitch in Amsterdam.
