New teams continue EURO finals push

WALES
Campaign highlight
Fired by two goals and an assist from talisman Gareth Bale, March's 3-0 win against Israel moved Wales above their opponents and qualification rivals to sit level on points with Group B leaders Belgium.

Why have results improved?
Confidence and belief are invaluable traits that Wales have failed to show in previous campaigns. However, the form and fitness of Bale and Aaron Ramsey have proved pivotal to their still-unbeaten five-match campaign, while supporters have been inspired enough to ensure a sold-out stadium for Friday's visit of Belgium.

This weekend's game (home v Belgium, Friday)
The Belgian pacesetters arrive at the Cardiff City Stadium without suspended captain Vincent Kompany. Despite defensive injuries to Ben Davies and James Collins, Welsh manager Chris Coleman could name the same starting XI that claimed a crucial 0-0 draw in Brussels last November.

Crunch game
Assuming Belgium remain top of Group B, Israel's trip to Cardiff on 6 September should have a huge say on who clinches the second automatic qualification slot. For the football romantics, Wales last qualified for a major tournament in 1958 ... by beating Israel in the FIFA World Cup play-off.

Key quote
"It's a different feeling in the camp now: everybody is really fighting for each other, the team spirit is amazing."
Bale following October's 2-1 victory against Cyprus.

Mark Pitman

ISRAEL
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• November's 3-0 triumph in Haifa against a Bosnia and Herzegovina side who were at the 2014 World Cup lifted Israel to the top of the Group B. Coach Eli Guttman was given a round of applause when he went in for the post-match press conference – almost unheard of.

Why have results improved?
• In his second spell as coach, Guttman he found a system that balances the attacking football the fans crave while keeping it tight at the back. A 4-1-4-1 with strong midfielder in front of the defence allows the creative players of Israel confidence that someone is there if they lose the ball.

This weekend's game (away v Bosnia and Herzegovina, Friday)
• Back-to-back home defeats by Wales and Belgium have dented optimism, though on reflection there were positives to take from the second game. A success in Zenica would rejuvenate Israel and all but end Bosnia and Herzegovina's ambitions.

Crunch game
• It is difficult to look beyond Friday, but Wales on 6 September could be central to everything. Even with a draw against the Bosnians, win in Wales and Israel will be on track; lose and their hopes will be derailed.

Key quote
• "If we are stressed and say 'there is no way back from losing this game' we will play accordingly and that can cause us only damage."
Bebras Natcho

Boaz Goren

NORTHERN IRELAND
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• Take your pick. Impossible to choose between a last-gasp 2-1 win against Hungary in the Group F opener in Budapest and a 2-0 victory away to top seeds Greece the next month, capped off by a stunning solo goal from Kyle Lafferty.

Why have results improved?
• Management and momentum. The players have bought into Michael O'Neill's tactical approach and results have followed. O'Neill boasts a solid defence, a spine of senior pros and an in-form striker in the shape of Lafferty. He has scored five goals in five qualifiers.

This weekend's game (home v Romania, Saturday)
• A Romanian scalp in Belfast would enable Northern Ireland to leapfrog the leaders at the Group F summit. O'Neill has no major injury concerns, unlike November's 2-0 reverse to Romania in Bucharest when key duo Steve Davis and Jamie Ward were sidelined with knocks.

Crunch game
• Saturday's Romania qualifier is one of biggest games since Northern Ireland last contested a major tournament at the 1986 World Cup in Mexico. Secure three points and Northern Ireland would take another massive step towards next summer's finals in France.

Key quote
• "We have worked very hard to get where we are. We know that a home win would put us in a very strong position. Equally, regardless of the result, we will still be in a strong position given the fixtures ahead."
Manager Michael O'Neill.

Darren Fullerton

ICELAND
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• The 2-0 Reykjavik conquest of the Netherlands in October from which Iceland have not looked back. Two first-half Gylfi Sigurdsson goals earned the victory and second-placed Iceland still lead the Dutch by five points in Group A.

Why have results improved?
• This is the first generation to have benefited from a policy that clubs educate coaches, meaning players have professional trainers from a young age (Iceland's rise at youth and Under-21 levels over the last decade prefigured the senior improvement). The building of more and more sports halls has also allowed clubs to do more technical training in the long Icelandic winter rather than just running and fitness.

This weekend's game (home v Czech Republic, Friday)
• The Czech Republic are the only side to take points off Iceland but victory in Reykjavik would move the hosts top with a two-point cushion over the current frontrunners. Iceland have not lost a competitive home game for more than two years.

Crunch game
• Apart from Friday's match, the trip to Amsterdam on 3 September gives Iceland a second chance to frustrate their major rivals for automatic qualification. That is followed by home fixtures against Kazakhstan and Latvia. Iceland could be out of reach of fourth-ranked Turkey before visiting them to end the group in October.

Key quote
• "This is the game. Our goal is to get either of the first two places in the group and this is our opportunity to make it to the finals. By beating Iceland, the Czechs would almost secure a top-two place. We are going to prevent that."
Coach Heimir Hallgrímsson

Stefán Stefánsson

ALBANIA
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• Opening with a 1-0 victory in Portugal was a huge statement, described by midfielder Lorik Cana and coach Gianni de Biasi as "historic". March's 2-1 defeat of Armenia then kept Albania within two points of Group I leaders Portugal and level with Denmark at the halfway stage. Serbia and Armenia are both six points behind, making at least a first play-off a distinct possibility.

Why have results improved?
• De Biasi has brought energy and a new mentality to the side. He has raised the level of competition, making the players responsible for their actions and forcing them to work hard for their spot in the team. "This is everybody's team and everyone has the right to try to make the squad. No one has a set position," De Biasi said on appointment in 2011.

This weekend's game (home v France, friendly, Saturday)
• Every country in this, the sole five-nation group has friendlies against hosts France on the pair of matchdays when they have no qualifiers; this week it is Albania's turn in Tirana, following a 1-1 draw in Rennes in November. Di Biasi has seven players missing from the Armenia success and has called up seven domestic-based players. There will be one eye on the two Group I games, with Denmark welcoming Serbia and Portugal journeying to Armenia.

Crunch game
•  On 4 September Albania go to Denmark and three days later entertain Portugal in two matches that could decide whether they return to France next June.

Key quote
• "We need to play our best football against everybody, not just Denmark and Portugal. We just need to collect as many points as possible if we want to go to France."
Defender Andi Lila

Fatjon Pandovski