3. EURO 2008: Weekend previews (Part 3)

• by Soccer America , Mar 22, 2007

Qualifying for the 2008 European Championship in Austria and Switzerland continues with games Saturday and next Wednesday, the first of five double dates in 2007.

Here's a look at Groups 6 and 7:

GROUP 6. Spain faces must-win games against Denmark on Saturday and Iceland next Wednesday after falling into fifth place, nine points behind leader Sweden.

Atletico Madrid forward Fernando Torres, who is battling Valencia's Fernando Morientes and David Villa for a place in the starting lineup for Saturday's game against the Danes in Madrid's Bernabeu Stadium, says Spain needs to win both games.

"There is no room for error because losing or drawing will be very dangerous," he said.

Denmark is in second place after opening with two wins and a draw. Captain Jon Dahl Tomasson, who plays for La Liga club Villarreal, knows the pressure Spain faces.

"It is like a final for Spain, but it is for us too," the striker told Spanish media this week. "Winning in Madrid would be a very big triumph."

STANDINGS:
Sweden 12 points;
Denmark, Northern Ireland 7;
Latvia, Spain, Iceland 3;
Liechtenstein 0.

SCHEDULE:
Saturday, March 24
Spain-Denmark (TV: Telemundo, West Feed, live, 2 pm PT; East Feed, delay, 11:30 pm ET)
Liechtenstein-Northern Ireland
Wednesday, March 28
Northern Ireland-Sweden
Liechtenstein-Latvia
Spain-Iceland

GROUP 7. The Netherlands looks to stretch its lead in Group G when it hosts Romania on Saturday in Rotterdam. The Oranje is unbeaten in its last eight games against Romania with six wins (including 2-0 wins in both 2006 World Cup qualifiers) and two ties.

Goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar is injured, so Ajax's Maarten Stekelenburg could start in goal. Dirk Kuijt and Ryan Babel might play on the wings in place of the injured Robin van Persie and Arjen Robben. AZ midfielder Demy de Zeeuw could debut as holding midfielder.

For Romania, the big concern is the absence of captain Cristian Chivu on the backline. Romania coach Victor Piturca will probably go with Dorin Goian and Valentin Badoi in the middle of the defense if Gabriel Tamas isn't ready to go.

STANDINGS:
Netherlands 10 points;
Bulgaria 8;
Romania 7;
Belarus 4;
Slovenia 3;
Albania 1;
Luxembourg 0.

SCHEDULE:
Saturday, March 24
Netherlands-Romania
Luxembourg-Belarus
Albania-Slovenia
Wednesday, March 28
Romania-Luxembourg
Slovenia-Netherlands
Bulgaria-Albania