Cyprus-Forum.com

[originalsmiler]

Source: http://www.lgr.co.uk

Greece were top seeds in the 2010 FIFA World Cup qualifying draw, which took place in Durban, South Africa. European champions Greece are joined by Switzerland in Group 2, which also includes Israel, Moldova, Latvia and Luxembourg.

Cyprus were handed a difficult assignment drawn against the world champions Italy in Group 8, which also includes Bulgaria, Republic of Ireland, Georgia and Montenegro.

The Cypriot side is to counternance a stern Irish test, in a repeat to the Euro 2008 qualifying campaign, which saw Cyprus beating the Republic of Ireland 5-2 at home, and a 1-1 draw in Dublin.

England was drawn in the same pairing with Croatia - in a repetition to their unsuccessful Euro 2008 qualifying competition, but less tricky are the ties against Ukraine, Belaris, Kazakhstan and Andorra.

The first set of qualifiers are on September 7 and September 10 2008.

The associations will be divided into eight groups of six teams and one of five, with each side playing home and away against the others in the section. The nine group winners will advance to the 2010 finals in South Africa, while the eight best runners-up will contest four play-off matches to determine Europe's other four finalists in November 2009.

Group 1 Portugal, Sweden, Denmark, Hungary, Albania, Malta

Group 2 GREECE, Israel, Switzerland, Moldova, Latvia, Luxembourg

Group 3 Czech Republic, Poland, NORTHERN IRELAND, Slovakia, Slovenia, San Marino

Group 4 Germany, Russia, Finland, WALES, Azerbaijan, Liechtenstein

Group 5 Spain, Turkey, Belgium, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Armenia, Estonia

Group 6 Croatia, ENGLAND, Ukraine, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Andorra

Group 7 France, Romania, Serbia, Lithuania, Austria, Faroe Islands

Group 8 Italy, Bulgaria, Republic of Ireland, CYPRUS, Georgia, Montenegro

Group 9 Holland, SCOTLAND, Norway, FYR Macedonia, Iceland

[DT.]

Greece is a dead cert to qualify....cyprus could go for 2nd.

[EPSILON]

Greece is a dead cert to qualify....cyprus could go for 2nd.

You are generally dreaming

[Sotos]

It will be easy for Greece to qualify I think. For Cyprus I don't know. There is just one super top team in our group instead of two we had for Euro, but there is no super weak one in our group this time like San Marino. I think at home we can win Georgia and Montenegro, maybe win or draw with Bulgaria and Ireland, and lose from Italy. Away things look difficult. I don't think Montenegro will be as easy as San Marino. I think we will get 12-14 points and be in the 4th place.

[storm]

Cyprus or Italy that is a difficult dilemma for me.
However Cyprus because I like believing in impossible dreams lol lol lol

[saravakos]

very difficult group for Cyprus...i see them 3rd maybe, prob 4th

[jansler]

Cyprus could go for second, please come on they have not got a prayer, lucky to end up 4th, to hard in this group. Italy romp it Irish second

[ARMENIAN CYPRIOT]

The best Cyprus can get in this group is 3rd. Italy will get first, Bulgaria 2nd Cyprus 3rd, Georgia 4th, Ireland is spinning down hill and will be lucky to get 5th ahead of Montenegro. All in all Cyprus should win every home game and with alot of luck tie Italy at home Cyprus will lose at Italy and Bulgaria. The remaining 3 matches all depends on how well we play and the psyche of are opponents. I am sure Georgia, and Montenegro dont fear us and will attack when they host us, which can lead to there demise since are offence is Strong. All in all this draw sucked for us. Montenegro was the only weak team I didnt want to face and Georgia is one of the better 5th seeds,they beat Scotland at home 2-0 but also lost at home to Lithuania 0-2 at home. Ireland is a weak third seed that we know we can beat and are in the process of rebuilding there team. They will be more vulnerable this time around and a victory in Dublin may be in the Cards. Bulgaria doesnt play that well on the road, example 1-1 at Albania and 0-1 victory at Luxumbourg.