On November 14th, 8 European countries will go for broke to secure placement in the final 32.
The Irish, who haven’t beaten France in 28 years, are lucky to deal with the former champions sans Ribery. Robbie Keane, pictured above, is set to start for Ireland. France’s younger talent will have to work with the veterans to secure a spot in the final 32.
Greece and Ukraine are matched up evenly, though longtime Greek super-forward Theofanis Gekas, with 10 goals in qualifying competition, is gunning for a return to Greece’s 2004 Euro Cup form. Gekas, below, celebrates a goal against Latvia in a previous game.
Bosnia-Herzegovina has already surpassed their own expectations to make it this far, and they will have to deal with the unexpected return of C. Ronaldo to a Portuguese side that seems to be finding it’s rhythm on the pitch.
Slovenia, who managed to outlast Czech Republic, Poland, and Northern Ireland in the previous round, will be facing their most competent opposition in Russia on Nov. 14th. Slovenian goal scorer Milivoje Novakovic will have his work cut out against a determined Russian squad.
Tags: Bosnia, Football, France, Gekas, Greece, Ireland, Novakovic, Portugal, Ribery, Ronaldo, Simao, Soccer, South Africa, World Cup
