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Early but vital days on the road to Euro 2004

© Reuters 2002

LONDON, Oct 10 (Reuters) - These are still early days in the race for the 2004 European Championships, but none of the favourites will want to slip up when many face two qualifying matches over the next few days.

In all, 39 qualifiers are taking place across Europe from Iceland in the north to Turkey in the south. That number would have been 40 but Israel's match with Cyprus has been postponed because of the political instability in the Middle East.

But by next Wednesday the embryonic groups, in which some teams have yet to play a match and the others have only played once, should have a rather more familiar look to them than they have at the moment.

Reigning European champions France have a good chance to chalk up two victories over Slovenia at home and Malta away as new coach Jacques Santini continues with his re-building programme following France's disappointing FIFA World Cup" showing.

France opened their campaign with a 2-1 win in Cyprus a month ago, and with Slovenia winning their opener 3-0 against Malta, Saturday's match in Paris will give both teams a tougher test.

France then travel to Malta for next Wednesday's match and by then could be top of the Group One table - although they will have to do that without David Trezeguet who pulled out of the squad with an injury on Tuesday. He has been replaced by uncapped Lens striker Daniel Moreira.

GERMANY WAIT
Germany meet Bosnia in a friendly on Friday before taking part in what is likely to be one of the most mis-matched European internationals of the year when they play the Faroe Islands in Hannover next Wednesday.

The Faroes sprang a huge upset when they raced into a 2-0 lead against Scotland last month before emerging with a highly creditable 2-2 draw.

However to do the same against the beaten FIFA World Cup" finalists is a task too far and Germany should win their Group Five match with several goals to spare.

Defenders Christian Woerns and Marko Rehmer have both recovered from injuries and are recalled to the German squad who opened their campaign with a 2-0 win over Lithuania a month ago.

Turkey, the second-best European team in the FIFA World Cup", began their Group Seven campaign with a 3-0 win over Slovakia and can consolidate their good start with wins over both Macedonia and minnows Liechtenstein in the next few days.

Turkey coach Senol Gunes said recently despite the improvements his team has made recently, they are "still not at the highest level" and must work hard to maintain their momentum.

They go into the two games without their talisman and skipper Hakan Sukur but should still be too strong for both opponents.

CAMPBELL SICK
Among the other fancied teams expected to reach the 2004 finals, England travel to Bratislava for a first meeting with Slovakia without Arsenal defender Sol Campbell, sidelined with a stomach bug, and his Manchester United partner Rio Ferdinand.

England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson is likely to replace them with the Middlesbrough duo of Gareth Southgate and Ugo Ehiogu, at least for the visit to Slovakia for the other match in Group Seven. Campbell could yet recover for England's match next Wednesday against Macedonia at Southampton, but Ferdinand, who has had an operation on an injured knee will not be fit in time.

Italy, runners-up to France in Euro 2000 and looking to do well in this tournament after their disappointing second round FIFA World Cup" exit, play Yugoslavia in their home Group Nine match without injured forward Francesco Totti, who has thigh and knee problems.

He is also likely to miss the visit to Cardiff for next Wednesday's match against a resurgent Welsh team who started their campaign with a 2-0 win in Finland and have now gone six matches without defeat.

Reports provided by

Thursday, 17 October
England held to shock draw by Macedonia
Henry inspires France to 4-0 win over Malta
Superior Dutch sweep Austria aside
Faroese jubilant despite defeat by Germany
Pressure mounts on beleaguered Trapattoni
Mozambican coach resigns after 3-0 defeat
Ballack shines through in dull German display
Gunes unconcerned by Tugay retirement speculation
Japan coach Zico set to stand by Nakamura
Czech Republic 3 Belarus 0 - Euro under-21 result
Greece back in the hunt, says Rehhagel
Wednesday, 16 October
Eriksson wary of Macedonia threat
Tuesday, 15 October
Lizarazu vows to keep playing for France until Euro 2004
Rehhagel position 'not an issue' says Greek federation
Cyprus angered by UEFA treatment
France at full strength to take on Malta
France set to continue renaissance but Italy look shaky
Monday, 14 October
New faces in Poland squad for New Zealand friendly
Balakov doubtful for Bulgaria qualifier against Andorra
Yugoslav press praise impressive 1-1 draw in Naples
Inzaghi to miss clash with Wales
I won't quit says Italy coach Trapattoni
Croatia coach Baric called on to step down
Cyprus objects to postponement of Israel game
Dumitrescu quits as Romanian under-21 coach
McCarthy says he will quit after Euro 2004
N. Korean 1966 World Cup team revisit the past
Gambia hit Lesotho for six in African Nations Cup
Sunday, 13 October
Sidibe scores on debut for Mali
Burkina Faso come from behind to win
Adebayor secures 1-0 win for Togo
Austria prepare shock for the Netherlands
Lua Lua sent off after scoring in Congo win over Botswana
Swaziland beat Libya in dramatic finish to Cup qualifier
South Africa fall short of goal target in 2-0 victory
UEFA to probe Slovakia-England match trouble
France boost morale with badly-needed victory
Macedonia coach in quit threat
Saez delighted with Spain's flying start to qualifiers
Trapattoni attacked for Italy's lacklustre draw
Eriksson looks for England improvement against Macedonia
Friday, 11 October
UEFA punishes clubs for racist abuse
I deserve respect not criticism, says 100-cap Desailly
Kahn should not quit, Germany chief says
Czech police issue warning about English hooligans
Massive Maltese security operation for Israel visit
England bank on winning start in Slovakia
Argentina's Gorosito begins coaching career
World Cup winners Brazil still in limbo
German coach facing heat over coaching Iraq

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