Group of death could become group of confusion
If three teams end up on two points (which is possible if Holland beats Romanian and Italy and France draw) working out the group runner-up could be tricky.
Table currently stands
Holland 6pts +6 goal difference
Romania 2pts +0
France 1pt -3
Italy 1pt -3
If Holland beats Romania, the France vs Italy game becomes a do-or-die match.
If there’s a result between Fance and Italy, then whoever wins simply makes it through to the next round.
If Romania loses and Italy and France draw then we will have three teams on 2 points each.
This means that regulation 7.08 of the UEFA qualifying rules will not apply. 7.08 states that if the last match of the pool involves the two teams drawn on points then a penalty shoot-out will be used to determine who progresses to the quarter finals. Regulation 7.08 will not apply as three teams are equal on points.
This is where it gets messy.
UEFA sets the following precedence in determining the runner-up:
(a) number of points obtained by teams in contention
France v Romania – draw (1pt)
Romania v Italy – draw (1pt)
Italy v France – draw (1pt)
(b) goal difference amongst teams in contention
As all three games involving Italy, France and Romania would have been draws this criteria can not apply.
(c) number of goals scored in games amongst teams in question
France v Romania – 0 goals
Romania v Italy – 1 goal
Italy v France – undecided
If it is a score draw then Italy will qualify, both France and Romania will suffer due to their goal-less draw.
If the Italy v France game ends 0-0, then this criteria can not apply as it does not give either Italy or Romania an advantage.
(d) goal difference in all group games
If Romania loses to Holland by fewer than three goals (Italy’s 3-0 and France’s 4-1 losing margin) then they will qualify with superior goal difference.
If Romania loses by four goals or more than they will be out of the reckoning.
If Romania also loses to Holland by three, then all three teams will have -3 goal difference and thus negate this criteria.
(e) number of goals scored in all matches
Goals scored currently sits at:
France 1
Italy 1
Romania 1
Depending on Tuesday night goals this criteria will be break the deadlock.
If Italy and France ends goal-less and Romania scores against Holland then Romania will be through.
If Romania score more goals against Holland than the draw score between Italy and France then the Tricolorii are through. For example if Romania loses 5-2 and the France v Italy game finishes 1-1 then Romania will qualify.
(f) co-efficient from qualifying competition (points obtained divided by games played)
Romania 29 pts 12 games
Italy 29 pts 12 games
France 26 pts 12 games
This criteria is not relevant as Romania and Italy share an equal co-effcient.
(g) fair play conduct of teams at the tournament
Dependent on yellow and red cards.
(h) lots
Dependent on chance.
The runner-up of group C will play the winner of group D (in all likelihood to be Spain).
June 15, 2008 at 7:20 pm
No, it is even more complicated: if Romania draws, then Italy-Netherlands cannot draw (see rule 7.08), the winner will be decided in a penalty shoot-out. This means, that a Romanian draw sents them out of the tournament but a defeat by no more then 2 goals and a goalless draw between Italy and France (which is now possible, as THREE teams would have 2 points after finishing all matches in the group, and so rule 7.08 does not apply) actually makes them qualify! So in this special situation Romania must seek an own goal to qualify! Isn’t that the most bizarre situation in a competetitive football match ever?
June 16, 2008 at 3:49 am
Go Romania!
June 18, 2008 at 9:43 pm
Hey Its Azzuri All The Way…
Put new post… What do you think about Luca Toni? Who should replace him?