LONDON (Reuters):GERMANY CAN secure their place at Euro 2008 tomorrow with victory in Irelan many of Europe's other elite nations are still biting their fingernails as the qualification journey nears its end.
Twice former champions France are sweating in third place in Group B after their shock home defeat by surprise leaders Scotland last month and travel to the rocky shores of the Faroe Islands knowing they can afford no more slip-ups.
Motivation
"We've a gun pointed at our head. That's good, it's going to motivate us," coach Raymond Domenech said this week. "It's like playing Cup matches - we lose a game, we're out. We know that."
Italy, second in the group but also vulnerable, have left out veteran strikers Alessandro Del Piero and Filippo Inzaghi for their home clash against Georgia.
Spain have made heavy weather of Group F and face a tricky trip to Denmark who are desperate for a victory to keep their hopes alive. Reliable Sweden top that group and victory in Liechtenstein would almost seal a place in the finals.
Rejuvenated England are at home to Estonia tomorrow in Group E confident of opening up a five-point gap on third-placed Russia who they face in Moscow on Wednesday.
Leaders Croatia host Israel and can clinch a place in the finals if they win and Russia do not beat England.
Romania and Netherlands, neck and neck at the top of Group G, clash in Bucharest, while European champions Greece and Turkey face crucial ties in Group C.
Greece, who host Bosnia, are top with 19 points, while Turkey can move into second above Norway with a point in Moldova.
In Group A, second-placed Finland can boost their hopes of qualifying for the first time with victory in Belgium, while leaders Poland host Kazakhstan.
On paper France should gather six points from their matches in the Faroes tomorrow, and at home to Lithuania on Wednesday, but under-pressure coach Domenech has no margin for error.
Scotland, who have not qualified for a major tournament since the 1998 World Cup, have their destiny in their own hands.
