French court grants early release to former President Nicolas Sarkozy    Egypt releases 2023 State of Environment Report    Egypt says Gulf investment flows jumped to $41bn in 2023/24    Al-Sisi meets representatives of 52 global tech firms to boost ICT investments    Egyptians vote in 1st stage of lower house of parliament elections    Egypt's Al-Sisi, Russian security chief discuss Gaza, Ukraine and bilateral ties    Lebanese president says negotiations are only way forward with Israel    Madbouly seeks stronger Gulf investment ties to advance Egypt's economic growth    Grand Egyptian Museum welcomes over 12,000 visitors on seventh day    Egypt to issue $1.5 billion in dollar-denominated treasury bills – CBE    Egypt's private medical insurance tops EGP 13b amid regulatory reforms – EHA chair    Egypt, Saudi Arabia ink executive programme to expand joint tourism initiatives    Egypt's monthly inflation rises 1.3% in Oct, annual rate eases to 10.1%: CAPMAS    Egypt, US's Merit explore local production of medical supplies, export expansion    400 children with disabilities take part in 'Their Right to Joy' marathon    Egypt repatriates 36 smuggled ancient artefacts from the US    Grand Egyptian Museum attracts 18k visitors on first public opening day    'Royalty on the Nile': Grand Ball of Monte-Carlo comes to Cairo    Egypt, Albania discuss expanding healthcare cooperation    VS-FILM Festival for Very Short Films Ignites El Sokhna    Egypt's cultural palaces authority launches nationwide arts and culture events    Egypt launches Red Sea Open to boost tourism, international profile    Qatar to activate Egypt investment package with Matrouh deal in days: Cabinet    Hungary, Egypt strengthen ties as Orbán anticipates Sisi's 2026 visit    Egypt's PM pledges support for Lebanon, condemns Israeli strikes in the south    Omar Hisham Talaat: Media partnership with 'On Sports' key to promoting Egyptian golf tourism    Egypt establishes high-level committee, insurance fund to address medical errors    Sisi expands national support fund to include diplomats who died on duty    Madinaty Golf Club to host 104th Egyptian Open    Egypt's PM reviews efforts to remove Nile River encroachments    Al-Sisi: Cairo to host Gaza reconstruction conference in November    Egypt will never relinquish historical Nile water rights, PM says    Al-Sisi, Burhan discuss efforts to end Sudan war, address Nile Dam dispute in Cairo talks    Egypt resolves dispute between top African sports bodies ahead of 2027 African Games    Germany among EU's priciest labour markets – official data    Paris Olympic gold '24 medals hit record value    It's a bit frustrating to draw at home: Real Madrid keeper after Villarreal game    Russia says it's in sync with US, China, Pakistan on Taliban    Shoukry reviews with Guterres Egypt's efforts to achieve SDGs, promote human rights    Sudan says countries must cooperate on vaccines    Johnson & Johnson: Second shot boosts antibodies and protection against COVID-19    Egypt to tax bloggers, YouTubers    Egypt's FM asserts importance of stability in Libya, holding elections as scheduled    We mustn't lose touch: Muller after Bayern win in Bundesliga    Egypt records 36 new deaths from Covid-19, highest since mid June    Egypt sells $3 bln US-dollar dominated eurobonds    Gamal Hanafy's ceramic exhibition at Gezira Arts Centre is a must go    Italian Institute Director Davide Scalmani presents activities of the Cairo Institute for ITALIANA.IT platform    







Thank you for reporting!
This image will be automatically disabled when it gets reported by several people.



France take on Ukraine, Sweden test for Portugal for World Cup tickets
The draw for the World Cup playoffs in Europe has been held today in Zurich. The first legs to be played on Nov. 15 and second legs on Nov. 19
Reuters Published in Ahram Online on 21 - 10 - 2013

Former world champions France will play Ukraine for a place in the World Cup finals in Brazil next year with the advantage of the second leg at home following the draw for the European playoffs on Monday.
Portugal will meet Sweden, featuring a matchup between two of the world's most exciting players - Cristiano Ronaldo and Zlatan Ibrahimovic - Greece will take on Romania and Iceland, who have never played at the finals of a major tournament, are up against Croatia.
The first legs will be played on Nov. 15 and the return on Nov.19.
The last meeting between France and Ukraine ended in a 2-0 win for France after thunder and lightning caused their Euro 2012 match in Donetsk to be suspended last year.
France, who were unseeded in the draw and at 21st are world ranked one place below Ukraine, boast an unbeaten record against the East Europeans with four wins and three games drawn.
"Ukraine are a team who do not concede a lot of goals, but it's good we are playing the second leg at home," said France coach Didier Deschamps who was relieved to have avoided Portugal in the draw.
France finished second behind world champions Spain in European Group I while Ukraine were runners-up to England in Group H.
Portugal, who finished second behind Russia in Group F and were the highest ranked team in the draw at 14 on FIFA's list, take on Sweden at the 66,000 capacity Luz stadium in Lisbon in the first leg.
The two have met 15 times with Sweden winning six and Portugal three, but Sweden have not beaten Portugal in seven matches since 1984. They met twice in the qualifiers for the 2010 World Cup and drew 0-0 on both occasions.
"Sweden are a team which will give us two very complicated matches, two evenly balanced ones. Although they have one of the best forwards in the world, Sweden are strong collectively," Portugal coach Paulo Bento said in comments emailed to Reuters.
Greece, who finished behind Bosnia on goal difference in Group G, first met Romania in 1930 and will be wary of a team who beat them 3-1 in a friendly the last time they met in late 2011.
Iceland are the lowest ranked team in the playoffs at 46.
Their only previous meetings with Croatia came in 2005 when Croatia won at home and 3-1 away in the qualifying stages for the 2006 World Cup in Germany.
(For more sports news and updates, follow Ahram Online Sports on Twitter at @AO_Sports and on Facebook at AhramOnlineSports.)
http://english.ahram.org.eg/News/84420.aspx

Clic here to read the story from its source.