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European qualifying fixtures announced

Thu, 01 Dec 2011 16:52:00 GMT

All but two of the Groups in European Zone qualifying for Brazil 2014 have had their fixtures finalised, with England, France, Italy and Spain starting out away to Moldova, Finland, Bulgaria and Georgia respectively.

Prandelli: We're aiming for first

Sun, 07 Aug 2011 17:18:00 GMT

"We’re Italy and naturally, with the greatest respect to the other sides in the group, we’re aiming to finish in first place," Cesare Prandelli, Italy coach

Italy relishing success once again

Mon, 01 Aug 2011 16:27:00 GMT

Since crashing out at the group stage at South Africa 2010, Italy have revamped their squad and will look to top Group B in Europe, with Denmark, Czech Republic and Bulgaria their toughest opponents in the section.

Drama and derbies await in Europe

Sun, 31 Jul 2011 00:37:00 GMT

The draw for the European zone yielded some potentially thrilling sections, with local rivalries set to be stirred and the world champions left to do battle with another winner of football's ultimate prize.

Focus falls on qualifying heroics

Fri, 16 Oct 2009 08:18:00 GMT

FIFA.com travels to Argentina, Bulgaria, Slovakia, Russia and Spain for a look at the numbers behind the biggest stories in South Africa 2010 qualifying.

Berbatov treble helps Bulgaria cruise

Wed, 14 Oct 2009 22:48:00 GMT

Bulgaria ended their campaign with a 6-2 victory over Group 8 tailenders Georgia in Vaduz, with star man Dimitar Berbatov scoring a hat-trick.

Celebrations for Swiss, Slovaks

Wed, 14 Oct 2009 22:42:00 GMT

Switzerland and Slovakia seized Europe's last two automatic berths in South Africa, while Portugal, Greece, Slovenia and Ukraine made the play-offs.

Two tickets on offer in Europe

Mon, 12 Oct 2009 10:09:00 GMT

Switzerland, Greece, Slovakia and Slovenia head into Wednesday's final qualifiers hoping to claim the two remaining direct tickets to South Africa.

Unconvincing, but ominous Italy

Sun, 11 Oct 2009 04:57:00 GMT

Italy have qualified for South Africa 2010 and will start the competition amongst the favourites, but this was far from a comfortable cruise to the finals.

European quartet stamp tickets

Sat, 10 Oct 2009 23:46:00 GMT

Italy, Germany, Denmark and Serbia all sealed their places at South Africa 2010 with positive results during Saturday's nervy round of qualifiers.

Charalambides brace as Cyprus cruise

Sat, 10 Oct 2009 21:08:00 GMT

Bulgaria's slim hopes of clinching a South Africa 2010 play-off place were ended as Cyprus emerged victorious in their Group 8 qualifier in Larnaca.

Lippi impressed by Azzurri progress

Thu, 10 Sep 2009 00:24:00 GMT

Italy coach Marcello Lippi could not hide his delight after his side took a giant step towards securing qualification with a slick 2-0 win over Bulgaria.

England, Spain cruise through

Thu, 10 Sep 2009 00:02:00 GMT

England and Spain sealed tickets to South Africa 2010 in style, while Portugal threw themselves a lifeline and Slovakia sprinted towards qualification.

Italians inch ever closer

Wed, 09 Sep 2009 23:04:00 GMT

Current holders Italy took a giant step towards 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa qualification by beating a lethargic Bulgaria 2-0 in Turin.

Lippi unperturbed by form

Tue, 08 Sep 2009 15:30:00 GMT

Italy coach Marcello Lippi has said that his side's qualifying form is not a concern, insisting the Azzurri "have never shone" in preliminaries.

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.

Lippi calls for calm

Mon, 07 Sep 2009 16:12:00 GMT

Italy coach Marcello Lippi has told Azzurri fans not to be alarmed by his team's unimpressive performances of late.

Keane eyeing Italian showdown

Sun, 06 Sep 2009 19:35:00 GMT

With Ireland and Italy battling fiercely for first place in Group 8, Republic striker Robbie Keane has already turned his focus to 10 October's vital qualifier in Dublin.

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.

Bulgaria maintain slim chances

Sat, 05 Sep 2009 22:05:00 GMT

Bulgaria produced a dominant second-half performance to come from behind and beat Montenegro 4-1, keeping their South Africa 2010 dream alive.

Moment of truth for Berbatov

Thu, 03 Sep 2009 07:57:00 GMT

Criticised for lacklustre performances for club and country, Dimitar Berbatov will aim to silence his detractors by reviving Bulgaria's 2010 dream.

Italy squad for Georgia, Bulgaria

Sun, 30 Aug 2009 16:41:00 GMT

Italy coach Marcello Lippi has named his 23-man squad for next month's South Africa 2010 qualification matches against Georgia and Bulgaria.

Trapattoni: We've a long way to go

Sat, 06 Jun 2009 22:59:00 GMT

Giovanni Trapattoni was keeping his feet firmly on the ground despite seeing his Republic of Ireland side take a significant step in Sofia.

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.

Honours even in Sofia

Sat, 06 Jun 2009 21:15:00 GMT

Richard Dunne kept Republic of Ireland on course for the 2010 FIFA World Cup as Giovanni Trapattoni's side earned a 1-1 draw in Bulgaria.

Republic target Sofia haul

Fri, 05 Jun 2009 11:06:00 GMT

Liam Brady knows Bulgaria will be going all out for victory, but believes Republic of Ireland are strong enough on their travels to collect three points.

Dutch close in as neighbours clash

Fri, 05 Jun 2009 07:57:00 GMT

In Europe, the Netherlands know that a win in Iceland will guarantee a spot in South Africa, while Sweden square up to Nordic neighbours Demark.

McShane worry for Trapattoni

Thu, 04 Jun 2009 11:40:00 GMT

Republic of Ireland coach Giovanni Trapattoni must assess the fitness of defender Paul McShane before naming his team to take on Bulgaria.

Angelov: We have to take risks

Tue, 19 May 2009 07:46:00 GMT

Stanislav Angelov talks to FIFA.com about Energie Cottbus's quest to survive in the Bundesliga, and Bulgaria's push to qualify for South Africa 2010.

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.

Irish focussing on Bulgaria

Fri, 27 Mar 2009 12:38:00 GMT

Republic of Ireland are adamant that beating Bulgaria is more important than next week's trip to face fellow Group 8 leaders Italy.

Points to make in Europe

Fri, 27 Mar 2009 08:14:00 GMT

FIFA.com looks ahead to the latest set of European Zone qualifiers, which include crucial games in a wide open Group 1, and tests for some big names.

Trapattoni: Still hungry at 70

Mon, 16 Mar 2009 08:23:00 GMT

Giovanni Trapattoni, 70 tomorrow, talks exclusively to FIFA.com about the task of leading Republic of Ireland back to the FIFA World Cup.

Stoilov named as new Bulgaria coach

Fri, 30 Jan 2009 22:17:00 GMT

Litex Lovech coach Stanimir Stoilov was on Friday handed the job of trying to guide struggling Bulgaria into the 2010 FIFA World Cup finals.

Bulgaria sack coach Markov

Tue, 02 Dec 2008 17:33:00 GMT

Three draws from three matches in qualifying for South Africa 2010 has cost Plamen Markov his job as Bulgaria coach, the BFU has 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?

Rangelov: I'm thrilled to be here

Sat, 11 Oct 2008 02:52:00 GMT

Striker Dimitar Rangelov spoke to FIFA.com about his delight at being part of the Bulgaria squad, and their hopes of reaching South Africa 2010.

Lippi upbeat despite injuries

Fri, 10 Oct 2008 11:29:00 GMT

Italy coach Marcello Lippi has stated his faith in the ability of the fringe players who may be given a chance against Bulgaria and Montenegro.

Fast starters eye nine from nine

Fri, 10 Oct 2008 09:09:00 GMT

England, Greece, Italy, Lithuania, Ukraine and Spain will hope to make it three wins in a row, but the pressure is on Croatia, France and Portugal.

Cannavaro closes in on Maldini record

Wed, 08 Oct 2008 17:09:00 GMT

Fabio Cannavaro has admitted to targetting Paolo Maldini's international appearance record, with the Italy skipper now just eight games away.

Lippi spices up Italy mix

Wed, 08 Oct 2008 08:35:00 GMT

Italy coach Marcello Lippi is shuffling his pack for the Azzurri's forthcoming qualifiers with Bulgaria and Montenegro. FIFA.com takes a closer look.

FIFA gives green light to Georgia

Tue, 23 Sep 2008 14:19:00 GMT

FIFA has confirmed that Georgia's next two home qualifiers for the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa will take place in Tbilisi.

Hopefuls begin qualifying trail

Thu, 21 Aug 2008 08:42:00 GMT

FIFA.com focuses on three European teams who are bidding to make their first FIFA World Cup finals appearance at South Africa 2010.

European qualifiers taking shape

Wed, 16 Jan 2008 12:00:00 GMT

The European teams have been busy drawing up a fixture list, with the matchdays for Groups 1, 3, 4, 6, 7, and 8 now set in stone.

Donadoni (ITA): They're tough opponents

Sun, 25 Nov 2007 20:38:00 GMT

Roberto Donadoni, Italy (Coach): "Bulgaria, Ireland, Georgia, Montenegro don't have a great football tradition but they are difficult opponents. On paper Bulgaria should be the one to push us closest for qualification."

Italian job looks straightforward

Sun, 25 Nov 2007 20:35:46 GMT

Italy, the FIFA World Cup holders, start out on the long road in defence of their crown in a section which includes Bulgaria and Republic of Ireland.

Europe stirs preliminary passions

Sat, 24 Nov 2007 12:39:00 GMT

In our feature examining the history of FIFA World Cup preliminaries, FIFA.com reflects on Europe's most memorable and dramatic qualifiers.