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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.

Bento: We're not the favourites

Mon, 08 Aug 2011 09:22:00 GMT

"We’re not favourites: Russia have a lot of talented individuals and Israel have proven they are very dangerous opponents for any team,” Portugal coach Paulo Bento.

Portugal and Russia renew rivalry

Mon, 01 Aug 2011 07:43:00 GMT

Group F features a couple of heavyweights in the form of Portugal and Russia who will both see themselves as destined for top spot, but the likes of Israel and Northern Ireland will look to rock the boat.

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.

Big night for Mourinho and Inter

Tue, 06 Apr 2010 19:46:00 GMT

Jose Mourinho became the first manager to lead three different clubs to the UEFA Champions League last four as Inter Milan eased past CSKA.

Milito gives Inter narrow win

Wed, 31 Mar 2010 21:52:00 GMT

Diego Milito scored the only goal of the encounter at the San Siro as Inter Milan edged CSKA Moscow in their UEFA Champions League quarter-final.

Mourinho stokes fires ahead of CSKA clash

Tue, 30 Mar 2010 19:52:00 GMT

Inter Milan coach Jose Mourinho on Tuesday questioned CSKA Moscow's right to still be in the Champions League ahead of their quarter-final.

Russia stunned by failure

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 11:12:00 GMT

Russian press and fans were left shocked after the national side's defeat to Slovenia in the return play-off match left them out of the FIFA World Cup.

Hiddink tight-lipped on future

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 08:34:00 GMT

Coach Guus Hiddink was giving nothing away regarding his future as his Russia side were denied a place at the World Cup finals by Slovenia

Kek hails Slovenia's historic night

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 03:06:00 GMT

Slovenia's qualification for South Africa 2010 was described as a historic national moment by coach Matjaz Kek after their play-off win over Russia.

Final four win through in Europe

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 23:33:00 GMT

France, Portugal, Slovenia and Greece were the teams left celebrating at the end of a dramatic evening of play-off action in the European Zone.

Dedic sends Slovenia through

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 22:26:00 GMT

Slovenia reached the 2010 FIFA World Cup™ finals at the expense of nine-man Russia thanks to Zlatko Dedic's 44th-minute goal in Maribor.

Hiddink: There's no room for panic

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 06:30:00 GMT

Russia coach Guus Hiddink remains optimistic ahead of the crucial FIFA World Cup play-off against Slovenia in Maribor on Wednesday.

European qualifiers preview

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 14:36:00 GMT

France, Portugal and Russia will all carry one-goal advantages into the second legs of their play-offs, while Ukraine and Greece begin level in Donetsk.

European trio earn slender leads

Sat, 14 Nov 2009 23:07:00 GMT

Russia, France and Portugal emerged with narrow one-goal advantages from their play-off first legs, while Greece and Ukraine played out a 0-0 draw.

Semak left with mixed feelings

Sat, 14 Nov 2009 21:23:00 GMT

Russia midfielder Sergei Semak and Slovenia coach Matjaz Kek were both left with mixed emotions after the Russians' 2-1 win in Moscow.

Pecnik strike keeps Slovenia alive

Sat, 14 Nov 2009 18:42:00 GMT

Having led 2-0 through a Diniyar Bilyaletdinov brace, Russia were frustrated by a late goal from Nejc Pecnik that gives Slovenia renewed hope.

Russia warned to take Slovenia seriously

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 02:57:00 GMT

Russia coach Guus Hiddink has warned his team against complacency going into their two-legged South Africa 2010 play-off against Slovenia.

Euro giants face play-off test

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 02:25:00 GMT

European giants including Germany 2006 runners-up France, and semi-finalists Portugal, face a test of nerves in their FIFA World Cup play-offs.

Rivals poised for play-off jousts

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 09:33:00 GMT

A quartet of South Africa 2010 berth remain up for grabs in Europe and will be contested by eight highly-motivated teams in a series of play-offs.

Novakovic: Compete with the best

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 16:07:00 GMT

Ahead of the imminent tests in Moscow and Maribor, FIFA.com spoke to Slovenia striker Milivoje Novakovic, currently with FC Cologne.

Who will be the play-off heroes?

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 10:17:00 GMT

With five play-offs for places at South Africa 2010 set to commence, FIFA.com wants to know which players you think will star in these crunch ties.

Users expect tense battles

Mon, 26 Oct 2009 08:44:00 GMT

You clearly feel that the play-offs will all be tight affairs, as only a small minority consider the outcomes clear-cut before a ball has been kicked.

Who will win the play-offs?

Tue, 20 Oct 2009 07:43:00 GMT

In this week's Have Your Say debate, FIFA.com wants your opinions on the following question: Who will win the FIFA World Cup play-offs?

Reaction to the play-off draw

Mon, 19 Oct 2009 17:30:00 GMT

Representatives of the eight countries taking part in next month's European Zone FIFA World Cup play-offs gave their reactions to Monday's draw.

Russia pleased with draw

Mon, 19 Oct 2009 15:55:00 GMT

Russian players and officials have given a cautious welcome to today's European Zone play-off draw that has pitted them against Slovenia.

European play-offs wide open

Mon, 19 Oct 2009 15:47:00 GMT

FIFA.com analyses the four play-off ties in the European Zone by looking at the past as well as the present as South Africa 2010 looms ever closer.

Play-off octet learn their fate

Mon, 19 Oct 2009 13:14:00 GMT

The much-anticipated draw for the European Zone 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa qualifying play-offs has taken place at the Home of FIFA in Zurich.

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.

Seeded four set for play-off draw

Wed, 14 Oct 2009 22:51:00 GMT

France, Greece, Portugal and Russia will be the seeded teams when the draw for the European Zone play-offs for South Africa 2010 takes place.

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.

Russia held in Azerbaijan

Wed, 14 Oct 2009 19:36:00 GMT

Andrei Arshavin was on target as Guus Hiddink's Russia concluded their Group 4 qualifying campaign with a 1-1 draw against Azerbaijan.

Hiddink eyes fitting finish

Tue, 13 Oct 2009 12:38:00 GMT

Russia coach Guus Hiddink says that playing for pride should be motivation enough when his side negotiate their final qualifier in Azerbaijan.

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.

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.

Low hails will to win

Sat, 10 Oct 2009 21:37:00 GMT

Germany coach Joachim Low hailed his side's will to win after watching them secure a place at South Africa 2010 with a 1-0 victory away to Russia.

Klose fires Germany through

Sat, 10 Oct 2009 18:37:00 GMT

A solitary goal from Miroslav Klose was enough to secure a 1-0 win for Germany in Russia and seal Joachim Low's side's place at South Africa 2010.

European qualifiers preview

Fri, 09 Oct 2009 08:24:00 GMT

Ten tickets to South Africa remain up for grabs in Europe, where crucial games are set to unfold in Athens, Copenhagen, Dublin, Lisbon and Moscow.

Lahm: We have the edge

Fri, 09 Oct 2009 00:01:00 GMT

FIFA.com caught up with Germany's Philipp Lahm to discuss his side's crucial qualifier against Russia and the favourites for glory at South Africa 2010.

Schweinsteiger calls for clean sheet

Wed, 07 Oct 2009 16:23:00 GMT

Germany's Bastian Schweinsteiger has stressed the importance of keeping a clean sheet when they travel to Russia for their upcoming qualifier.

Russia set for crucial encounter

Wed, 07 Oct 2009 02:16:00 GMT

Russia under wily coach Guus Hiddink are steeling themselves for their pivotal South Africa 2010 qualifier with Germany on Saturday.

Muller slams Germany forwards

Tue, 29 Sep 2009 12:04:00 GMT

The legendary Gerd Muller has criticised Mario Gomez, Miroslav Klose and Lukas Podolski, and hailed Thomas Muller as Germany's best forward.

Ballack: I really want titles

Mon, 28 Sep 2009 09:15:00 GMT

Michael Ballack talks to FIFA.com about his desire to lift trophies with Chelsea, and Germany's upcoming South Africa 2010 qualifier with Russia.

Low targets Moscow triumph

Thu, 10 Sep 2009 00:05:00 GMT

Following a 4-0 win over Azerbaijan, Germany coach Joachim Low says his side must go on the attack against Russia in next month's crucial encounter.

Russia prevail in Cardiff

Wed, 09 Sep 2009 22:19:00 GMT

Wales gave everything they had, but Russia's greater experience took Guus Hiddink's men closer to the South Africa 2010 finals.

No room for error in Group 4

Tue, 08 Sep 2009 16:21:00 GMT

Germany and Russia will hope to avoid any costly slip-ups when they meet Azerbaijan and Wales respectively in FIFA World Cup qualifying action.

Collins: Welsh youngsters must deliver

Tue, 08 Sep 2009 09:36:00 GMT

James Collins has said that it is time for Wales' golden generation of youngsters to start producing results to match their promise.

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.

Pavlyuchenko sinks Liechtenstein

Sat, 05 Sep 2009 18:27:00 GMT

Two Roman Pavlyuchenko penalties helped Russia canter to a 3-0 win over Liechtenstein that lifted them one point behind Group 4 leaders Germany.

Wales seek cure to Millennium bug

Fri, 04 Sep 2009 16:54:00 GMT

John Toshack has urged his Wales side to beat Russia at the Millennium Stadium, and his superiors to seek an alternative home venue.