Only Turkey can deny Hungary in third-place race
Monday, October 12, 2015
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The best third-placed team will qualify automatically and avoid the play-offs; Hungary hold that ace for now but Turkey could deny them on Tuesday, as UEFA.com explains.
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While eight of the nine teams finishing third in their UEFA EURO 2016 qualifying group will enter Sunday's play-off draw, the other will be assured of an automatic ticket to France.
Joining the hosts and the top two in each group will be the third-placed side with the best record against the nations first, second, fourth and fifth in their section. UEFA.com explains which teams are in contention.
Groups which could provide the best third-placed team are F and A:
Group F: finished Sunday
• Hungary have finished their campaign and are the best third-placed team from the six completed groups. Their hopes were boosted on Monday when Ukraine failed to defeat Spain, keeping Hungary in pole position.
Record: Pd8 W4 D3 L1 F8 A5 Pts15
Group A: finishes Tuesday
• If Turkey overcome Iceland in Konya they will confirm third place, but to have a chance of avoiding the play-offs they would also need Kazakhstan to beat Latvia in Riga and thus pip their hosts to fifth position. In that instance, Turkey would have 16 points against the top five in their group – and with it a better record than Hungary.
Other groups
The third-placed sides in all the other sections will definitely face the play-offs: so far, Ukraine, Republic of Ireland, Slovenia, Sweden and Denmark. The third-placed teams in Groups B and H will join them, as will the Netherlands if they pip Turkey to Group A's third spot.
