Five more Euro teams set for 2010 World Cup berths

Spain and England are among five European teams that can secure a spot in the 2010 World Cup on Wednesday, as France could be left with just the playoffs with Portugal may be all but out.

Serbia, Denmark and Slovakia can also advance, although the Danes and Slovakians need a win coupled with other results going their way.

European champion Spain hosts Estonia in Merida and will be confident of winning for the eighth time in eight Group 5 games. The Spaniards will qualify if second-place Bosnia-Herzegovina fails to beat Turkey at home.

Favorites with the British bookmakers to win the World Cup for the first time, the Spaniards are six points ahead of the Bosnians, who have a four-point advantage over the Turks.

Vicente del Bosque’s star-studded Spain is an overwhelming favorite to beat Estonia, which is next-to-last in the group, while the Bosnians go into their game knowing Turkey will be only a point behind with a victory in Zenica.

England can also make it eight out of eight in Group 6 with a home victory over Croatia, and that would mean a place in South Africa next year. It would also finally heal the pain of failing to reach Euro 2008 by losing 3-2 at home to Croatia under Steve McClaren.

Now under the guidance of Fabio Capello, England is much stronger and beat the Croats 4-1 in Zagreb a year ago.

“He has brought belief back to the fans and to the players,” Los Angeles Galaxy midfielder David Beckham said on Monday. “That’s what we needed to get back and to be playing the football that we know we can play.”

The Serbs have a home game against second place France and a four-point lead. A victory in Belgrade will put them through with the French then waiting to see of it makes the playoffs.

“If we have to go through the playoffs, we will,” said France striker Thierry Henry. “If we don’t finish first we’ll have to make sure we finish second, even though it’s sad to say. Since I’ve been in the French team we’ve often got in through the back door. Whatever happens, we have to get to South Africa.”

Slovakia is close to reaching its first World Cup and, despite being held 2-2 at home by neighbor Czech Republic on Saturday, still leads Group 3 by two points.

Slovakia meets Northern Ireland in Belfast on Wednesday and a victory, coupled with a draw between Slovenia and Poland when they meet in Maribor, would spark celebrations back home.

The Czechs are still not out of contention for a playoff spot despite a poor qualifying campaign. They should beat San Marino at home and, depending on the other results, can still finish second.

Denmark can advance from Group 1 with a victory at Albania, providing Portugal wins against Hungary in Budapest and Sweden fails to beat Malta.

Portugal remains in deep trouble, however, even after capturing a point at Denmark on Saturday, and there is a strong chance that Cristiano Ronaldo – the most expensive player in the game’s history and FIFA’s player of the year – will not play in the World Cup.

The draw left the Portuguese seven points behind the Danes and back in fourth place with three games to go, and the team needs to beat second-place Hungary in Budapest on Wednesday to realistically stay in contention.

Denmark, which visits Albania, has 17 points, Hungary 13 and Sweden, which should win comfortably in Malta, is third with 12 points.

World Cup holder Italy will move four points clear at the top of Group 8 by beating Bulgaria at home, a result which would mean the Bulgarians can no longer win the group.

Marcello Lippi’s Italians have been in poor form but a victory would put them well clear of second place Ireland with Bulgaria then nine points behind with two rounds of games to go.

Germany holds a one point lead over Russia in Group 4 and, with a home game against Azerbaijan, should stay ahead. The Russians visit Wales, which is all but out of contention for even a runner-up spot.

Switzerland’s 2-0 victory over Greece opened up a three-point lead at the top of Group 2 with the Greeks now level with Latvia. If the Swiss lose in Latvia on Wednesday and the Greeks beat Moldova, there would be a three-way tie at the top with two rounds of games to go.

With the Netherlands already qualified at the top of Group 9, Scotland, Norway and Macedonia are chasing the runner-up spot.

The Scots have a three-point advantage over their rivals but face the Dutch in Glasgow while Norway and Macedonia face each other. If the Scots lose, either of its chasing rivals can finish second.