FIFA.com - News

The flawless, troubled and triumphant

Wed, 12 Oct 2011 17:01:00 GMT

With 240 matches played among nine qualifying groups, FIFA.com reviews the most memorable moments from the 13-month-long qualifying campaign for next summer's UEFA EURO 2012.

Russia book EURO berth with Andorra rout

Tue, 11 Oct 2011 20:57:00 GMT

Russia safely booked their place at next year's UEFA EURO 2012 finals with a resounding 6-0 victory over Andorra at Moscow's Luzhniki Stadium.

Greece, Belgium push for qualification

Fri, 07 Oct 2011 23:36:00 GMT

Greece moved into pole position in UEFA EURO 2012 qualification Group F after beating fellow contenders Croatia 2-0, while Belgium beat Kazakhstan 4-1 to move into second in Group A at Turkey's expense.

Irish stay alive with Andorra stroll

Fri, 07 Oct 2011 22:51:00 GMT

Kevin Doyle and Aiden McGeady helped to fire the Republic of Ireland into a UEFA EURO 2012 shoot-out with Armenia with a 2-0 win over Andorra.

Russia target finals berth

Thu, 06 Oct 2011 13:17:00 GMT

Group B in the UEFA EURO 2012 qualifiers remains tight as Russia lead the charge for automatic qualification, but the Republic of Ireland, Slovakia and Armenia are all in hot pursuit.

All to play for in EURO deciders

Thu, 06 Oct 2011 01:47:00 GMT

With ten places still up for grabs at the UEFA EURO 2012 finals, the final two rounds of qualifying action present several key matches, specifically for England and France, who are each on the verge of clinching qualification.

Tardelli: Andorra will not be easy

Wed, 05 Oct 2011 23:30:00 GMT

Republic of Ireland are not taking their UEFA EURO 2012 qualifying opponents Andorra lightly, and assistant manager Marco Tardelli has said it will not be an easy match against the minnows.

Keane ready for crunch fixtures

Thu, 01 Sep 2011 19:08:00 GMT

It is crunch time in the Group B as the top three look to find a way to pull clear in this weekend's UEFA EURO 2012 qualifiers.

Rocky road for the Netherlands

Mon, 01 Aug 2011 00:08:00 GMT

Favourites in a group featuring “four genuine football nations” according to coach Bert van Marwijk, the Netherlands cannot expect to have everything their own way.

Atletico dealt Norwegian Europa trip

Fri, 15 Jul 2011 17:11:00 GMT

Atletico Madrid will face Norwegian side Stromsgodset, who last appeared in the UEFA Cup 13 years ago, while Stoke City have been been paired against Hadjuk Split in the UEFA Europa League.

Key victories see groups tighten

Sat, 04 Jun 2011 22:58:00 GMT

FIFA.com reviews Saturday's UEFA EURO 2012 qualifying matches, which featured a poor result for England, victory and a landmark for Republic of Ireland, and results which have tightened the top of many groups.

Slovakia sneak past Andorra

Sat, 04 Jun 2011 21:40:00 GMT

Slovakia remain in contention at the top of Group B after Miroslav Karhan's goal gave them a 1-0 win at home to Andorra, whose goalkeeper Josep Anton Gomez frustrated the hosts throughout.

Armenia ease past Andorra

Tue, 12 Oct 2010 18:09:00 GMT

Armenia recorded a second consecutive win in UEFA EURO 2012 qualifying Group B, comfortably beating minnows Andorra 4-0 at home in a one-sided match.

Arshavin hopes for easy win, Long eyes start

Mon, 11 Oct 2010 15:17:00 GMT

Andrey Arshavin is looking for a "fuss free" win against FYR Macedonia after their nervey 3-2 UEFA EURO 2012 qualifying win over the Republic of Ireland, while Shane Long, who scored in that match, eyes a start in Slovakia.

Tardelli: Doyle's boots can be filled

Sun, 10 Oct 2010 17:17:00 GMT

Assistant manager Marco Tardelli is confident the Republic of Ireland have the players to fill the boots of injured striker Kevin Doyle for Tuesday's key qualifier.

FYR Macedonia edge Andorra for first win

Fri, 08 Oct 2010 20:29:00 GMT

FYR Macedonia secured the first win of their UEFA EURO 2012 qualifying campaign as a goal in each half from Ilco Naumoski and Vance Sikov proved the difference in Andorra.

France stunned as forwards thrive

Sat, 04 Sep 2010 03:35:00 GMT

Belarus won 1-0 in France as Portugal were held 4-4 by visiting Cyprus, while Italy's Antonio Cassano, Fernando Torres of Spain and England talisman Wayne Rooney inspired victories.

Pogrebnyak brace gives Russia winning start

Fri, 03 Sep 2010 20:59:00 GMT

Pavel Pogrebnyak scored a goal in each half to earn Russia a 2-0 victory away to Andorra in their UEFA EURO 2008 curtain-raiser.

yeremis’s double strike

Mon, 07 Dec 2009 11:52:00 GMT

Round 14 winner yeremis snatched a signed FIFA World Cup winner's jersey this weekend along with second-place on the overall leaderboard.

Ukraine beat Croatia to play-offs

Wed, 14 Oct 2009 18:30:00 GMT

Ukraine ran out 6-0 victors in Andorra to make sure of a runners-up finish in Group 6 and a play-off place at the expense of Croatia, who also won.

Duo recalled for Ukraine qualifiers

Thu, 01 Oct 2009 04:18:00 GMT

Taras Mykhalyk and Olexander Aliyev have been recalled to the Ukraine squad for their important upcoming FIFA World Cup qualifiers.

Kazakhstan secure second win

Wed, 09 Sep 2009 23:46:00 GMT

Kazakhstan completed the double over Andorra tonight with a 3-1 win in Andorra La Vella in Group 6 of the European qualifying zone.

England and Serbia on the verge

Tue, 08 Sep 2009 00:54:00 GMT

England and Serbia will have the chance to reach South Africa 2010 in midweek, while Denmark, Slovakia and Spain could also secure qualification.

Swedes surge as France flounder

Sat, 05 Sep 2009 23:32:00 GMT

Sweden gave some much-needed impetus to their qualification hopes with a win over Hungary, while France could only draw with Romania at home.

Ukraine sweep aside Andorra

Sat, 05 Sep 2009 18:06:00 GMT

Artem Milevskiy scored two of the goals as Ukraine eased to a 5-0 win over Andorra that moved them level with Croatia in the Group 6 standings.

Terry dismisses fitness concerns

Sat, 05 Sep 2009 10:09:00 GMT

John Terry says that he finds it "bizarre" that his fitness is being questioned as England close in on a place at the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa.

Ukraine seek goals and glory

Thu, 03 Sep 2009 08:36:00 GMT

With Ukraine three points behind Croatia with a game in hand, Alexei Mikhailichenko's team are still very much in the race for a play-off place.

England, Serbia edge ever closer

Wed, 10 Jun 2009 23:20:00 GMT

England took a big step towards next year's finals in South Africa with an emphatic win over Andorra while Serbia and Russia did their hopes no harm.

England edge closer

Wed, 10 Jun 2009 22:28:00 GMT

England are one win away from securing a place at next year's FIFA World Cup finals after a comprehensive 6-0 victory over Andorra.

Capello anticipates defensive Andorra

Tue, 09 Jun 2009 14:29:00 GMT

Andorra will put ten men behind the ball in an attempt to frustrate England, according to Fabio Capello, who has urged his England side to score early.

Mission to join the Dutch

Tue, 09 Jun 2009 09:56:00 GMT

A crop of European teams could put one hand on a place at South Africa 2010 in midweek, while others will attempt to improve their slim chances.

Heskey hails Rooney the great

Mon, 08 Jun 2009 15:02:00 GMT

Emile Heskey has labelled Wayne Rooney a "great player", but believes England will be given a stiff examination by Andorra at Wembley.

Lampard eyes management

Mon, 08 Jun 2009 10:01:00 GMT

England and Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard has revealed his desire to enter football management after he finishes his playing career.

Ferdinand out of Andorra game

Sun, 07 Jun 2009 14:25:00 GMT

The Manchester United defender has been excused England duty ahead of the South Africa 2010 qualifier on 10 June in order to rest a persistent calf injury.

Safe passage for Netherlands

Sat, 06 Jun 2009 22:56:00 GMT

The Netherlands became the first European side to book passage to South Africa as England, Serbia, Denmark and Slovakia moved closer to the finals.

Five-star Belarus stay in touch

Sat, 06 Jun 2009 20:32:00 GMT

Two goals apiece from Gennady Bliznyuk and Sergey Kornilenko eased Belarus to a 5-1 European Zone Group 6 qualifying victory over Andorra in Grodno.

Lampard warns against complacency

Thu, 04 Jun 2009 12:10:00 GMT

England will not take Kazakhstan lightly according to Frank Lampard, who has urged his team to strenghten their grip on a place in South Africa.

Europe salutes Barcelona

Thu, 28 May 2009 19:28:00 GMT

After a dazzling display of flowing football against the English holders, Barcelona were crowned worthy European champions in Rome.

England face goalkeeper crises

Tue, 19 May 2009 07:39:00 GMT

Injuries to David James and Ben Foster have left England manager Fabio Capello with a goalkeeper crises for next month's FIFA World Cup qualifiers.

Flawless trio aim for more

Tue, 31 Mar 2009 16:38:00 GMT

Spain, England and Netherlands have won all their games to date and are out to consolidate their leads on matchday six in the European Zone.

Points mean pride for Andorra

Mon, 30 Mar 2009 08:11:00 GMT

FIFA.com hears from Andorra coach David Rodrigo on the challenge of ensuring that this tiny nation punches above its weight in European qualifying.

Stork takes over Kazakhstan

Fri, 30 Jan 2009 22:17:00 GMT

Berndt Stork was appointed Kazakhstan new national coach on Friday, the country football federation's press service announced.

Determining Europe's runners-up

Thu, 16 Oct 2008 15:17:00 GMT

FIFA has revealed the criteria that will determine the eight best runners-up in the group phase of European Zone qualifying for South Africa 2010.

Fearsome foursome lead the way

Tue, 14 Oct 2008 05:10:00 GMT

Four teams have maintained a perfect record on the first three matchdays of European qualifying for South Africa 2010. Can they keep it up?

England roll on, France fight back

Sat, 11 Oct 2008 23:31:00 GMT

While England put five goals past Kazakhstan and Spain crusied to victory in Estonia, France scraped a draw on Matchday 3 of European qualifying.

Kazakhstan sack Pijpers

Mon, 15 Sep 2008 12:08:00 GMT

It was announced today that Kazakhstan's Dutch coach, 49-year-old Arno Pijpers, has been relieved of his duties by the country's FA.

Trebles steal the headlines

Wed, 10 Sep 2008 18:24:00 GMT

Theo Walcott scored a hat-trick to inspire England to a 4-1 win in Croatia, while Miroslav Klose's treble saved Germany from defeat in Finland.

All eyes on Zagreb

Tue, 09 Sep 2008 11:24:00 GMT

England face a tough test against bogey side Croatia in the pick of Wednesday evening's FIFA World Cup qualifying matches in Europe.

Big guns fail to convince

Sun, 07 Sep 2008 00:07:00 GMT

England and Italy struggled to victory over minnows, Austria upset France, and Romania and Scotland fell to surprise defeats on their openers.

Cole spares England's blushes

Sat, 06 Sep 2008 21:14:00 GMT

Substitute Joe Cole rescued England as his double secured a 2-0 victory over Andorra in their opening FIFA World Cup qualifier in Barcelona.