Blast of fresh air as Europe’s WC qualifying begins

AFP, PARIS: Exactly eight weeks after Eder blasted in the winner for Portugal in the Euro 2016 final against France, European nations start out on the road to the Russia 2018 World Cup on Sunday.
Of the 24 teams that took part in the Euros, 10 have since changed coach, including Russia.
As hosts, they will not be involved in qualifying, but the rest of Europe will vie for nine group winner direct qualification spots, while the eight best runners-up go into play-offs in November 2017 to contest the remaining four berths.
Former international goalkeeper Julen Lopetegui succeeds Vicente del Bosque at 2010 World Cup winners Spain.
He begins with a gentle opening Group G fixture at home to Liechtenstein before a trip to Italy in October.
The Azzurri eliminated Spain in the last 16 at the Euros before losing on penalties to Germany in the quarter-finals.
Since then, the 68-year-old Giampiero Ventura has come in from Torino to succeed the Chelsea-bound Antonio Conte and his first competitive match will be in Israel on Monday.
England have a new man at the helm too with Sam Allardyce charged with turning around their fortunes after their humiliating Euro 2016 exit to Iceland.
“We are going to get into the qualifiers, try to qualify for the World Cup and when we go next time we're better prepared, I think mentally, to succeed,” Allardyce said after his appointment
Allardyce's side are in Group F, where they can look forward to a first competitive meeting with the auld enemy Scotland since 1999. But they begin with what could be their toughest fixture, a trip to face Slovakia.
Scotland start in Malta, while Slovenia and Lithuania complete the group.
Star-studded Belgium's quarter-final exit at Euro 2016 led to coach Marc Wilmots departing and Spanish former Everton manager Roberto Martinez taking his place with French legend Thierry Henry as one of his assistants.
The Red Devils are in Group H and start in Cyprus.
In Kiev, erstwhile striking great Andrei Shevchenko leads Ukraine against Iceland in a Group I also containing the likes of Croatia and Turkey.

Blast of fresh air as Europes WC qualifying begins

AFP, PARIS: Exactly eight weeks after Eder blasted in the winner for Portugal in the Euro 2016 final against France, European nations start out on the road to the Russia 2018 World Cup on Sunday. Of the 24 teams that took part in the Euros, 10 have since changed coach, including Russia. As hosts, they will not be involved in qualifying, but the rest of Europe will vie for nine group winner direct qualification spots, while the eight best runners-up go into play-offs in November 2017 to contest the remaining four berths. Former international goalkeeper Julen Lopetegui succeeds Vicente del Bosque at 2010 World Cup winners Spain. He begins with a gentle opening Group G fixture at home to Liechtenstein before a trip to Italy in October. The Azzurri eliminated Spain in the last 16 at the Euros before losing on penalties to Germany in the quarter-finals. Since then, the 68-year-old Giampiero Ventura has come in from Torino to succeed the Chelsea-bound Antonio Conte and his first competitive match will be in Israel on Monday. England have a new man at the helm too with Sam Allardyce charged with turning around their fortunes after their humiliating Euro 2016 exit to Iceland. We are going to get into the qualifiers, try to qualify for the World Cup and when we go next time were better prepared, I think mentally, to succeed, Allardyce said after his appointment Allardyces side are in Group F, where they can look forward to a first competitive meeting with the auld enemy Scotland since 1999. But they begin with what could be their toughest fixture, a trip to face Slovakia. Scotland start in Malta, while Slovenia and Lithuania complete the group. Star-studded Belgiums quarter-final exit at Euro 2016 led to coach Marc Wilmots departing and Spanish former Everton manager Roberto Martinez taking his place with French legend Thierry Henry as one of his assistants. The Red Devils are in Group H and start in Cyprus. In Kiev, erstwhile striking great Andrei Shevchenko leads Ukraine against Iceland in a Group I also containing the likes of Croatia and Turkey.