Holders look to lead the way

The UEFA EURO 2004™ qualifying programme conclude in little over a month and so far only one team are sure of a place in the finals - hosts Portugal. Things should become clearer after this week's action, which starts with 21 matches on Saturday.

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Group 1
First through could be holders France. Five points clear and the only side with a perfect record with three games left, France will qualify on Saturday if they beat Cyprus at home and second-placed Slovenia fail to overcome visitors Israel. Whatever, victory in Ljubljana four days later would suffice. Two wins for Slovenia, however, would guarantee at least a play-off place and hope of outright entry. If Israel win in Slovenia and against Malta next Wednesday, they will be in the play-offs should France defeat Slovenia.

Group 2
In a tight section, Denmark have 13 points, one more than Norway and three above Romania with two games to play. Norway visit fourth-placed Bosnia-Herzegovina on Saturday seeking an away win to end their hosts' chances and send them top, while Romania welcome Luxembourg knowing whatever the result, they must then beat Denmark in Copenhagen on Wednesday. If Norway cannot win on Saturday, victory for Denmark four days later would take them to Portugal.

Group 3
A Dutch home win against Austria on Saturday would ensure them and the Czech Republic a top-two finish, but the Czechs can do it themselves with victory in Belarus. However, the crunch comes on Wednesday when the Netherlands visit Prague with the teams currently level on points and having drawn 1-1 in Rotterdam. Victory for either would secure qualification provided they also win on Saturday.

Group 4
Four teams are challenging: unbeaten Sweden lead with eleven points from five games; Hungary have the same tally from six matches; Latvia ten from five; and Poland seven from five. Latvia welcome Poland on Saturday having won in Warsaw, and defeat would end the visitors' hopes if Sweden beat San Marino. Either way, Latvia and Poland then face must-win home games on Wednesday against Hungary and Sweden respectively. If Sweden and Latvia take six points, they will form the top two, with Sweden then only needing an October draw at home to Latvia to qualify outright.

Group 5
Iceland top the group after victory in the Faroe Islands last month and welcome second-placed Germany on Saturday. Germany are a point behind with a game in hand but Scotland are within three points of the FIFA World Cup finalists and entertain the Faroes the same day. However, defeat in Germany on Wednesday would end Scottish hopes of automatic qualification, while two wins this week would secure German progress.

Group 6
Victories against Spain and Ukraine have put Greece in pole position, and with Saturday's trip to Armenia preceding an 11 October home game against Northern Ireland, six points would send Otto Rehhagel's team to Portugal. Ukraine are three behind - and two adrift of Spain - but wins at home to Northern Ireland and in Spain this week would clinch them a play-off place and eliminate Spain unless Greece slipped up in Armenia. Spain's task is simpler - beat Ukraine on Wednesday and they are guaranteed at least a play-off place.

Group 7
Only two teams are certain of a top-two finish - England and Turkey. They meet in Istanbul on 11 October, with Turkey currently a point ahead having played a game more. Both face bottom side Liechtenstein this week - Turkey on Saturday, England four days later - and if both win, the crucial game could be England's trip to F.Y.R. Macedonia on Saturday. Victory for unbeaten England would leave them needing only a draw in Turkey, but any other result and Sven-Göran Eriksson's side would require three points from Istanbul.

Group 8
Only three points separate leaders Bulgaria from fourth-placed Estonia. However, if Bulgaria see off visitors Estonia and Croatia prevail in Andorra on Saturday, those two teams will be in control. Indeed, Bulgaria would then be sure of a play-off berth at the very least if they beat Andorra on Wednesday and would qualify outright if Croatia lost in Belgium - a result the home side will likely need to retain any chance of going to Portugal.

Group 9
Potentially decisive is leaders Wales's trip to second-placed Italy on Saturday. A Welsh win would leave them needing a home draw against Finland on Wednesday to make their first UEFA European Championship finals. Italy want the three points themselves with a tough trip to Serbia and Montenegro - four points behind Wales and two adrift of Italy - to come on Wednesday. Away wins for Finland in Azerbaijan and Wales would boost their play-off hopes.

Group 10
Switzerland could book their finals place this week. They lead the Republic of Ireland by two points, and if Brian Kerr's team fail to beat Russia in Dublin on Saturday, then victory in Moscow on Wednesday would confirm Switzerland's place regardless of the outcome against Ireland in Basel on 11 October. However, two Russian wins would take them top with a home game against Georgia to come. Albania meet Georgia home and away this week, and six points would strengthen their claim to second place.