More countries will have to go as the 2014 World Cup Qualifiers takes the stage. This time, the European standings will be dissected, giving us a better idea of who will advance to the 2014 World Cup tournament about seven months away. Here is the TV schedule info with channel guide and times for all matches taking place later in the day.
As mentioned earlier, it is Europe's turn to take the field as eight teams will see action. Here are the four matchups.
Sweden vs. Portugal
Croatia vs. Iceland
France vs. Ukraine
Greece vs. Romania
Of this pack, four teams will face elimination, while others could jubilantly advance to the second leg of the intercontinental playoffs, knowing their chances of getting into the tournament has increased.
TV Channel- Where to Watch: ESPN Deportes, ESPN 3
You can also check your local stations to see where the game will be available in your country or region.
The highlight of the day's matchup will be the game between Portugal and Sweden. Mind you, France is facing elimination from a tournament they won just a few years ago, but everybody is concerned about the state of Portugal and Sweden, two countries with solid World Cup records. Sweden is 10-17 in their World Cup qualifying history. For Portugal, who has been in the tournament after 1966, the world was introduced to star Cristiano Ronaldo 2006, pushing Portugal to one of the top nations in the soccer world.
France was dominant in their first round matches, winning five of their eight matches, but they could only rack up 20 points, compared to Spain's 20, as the Spaniards took first place in Group I. Winners of the 1998 World Cup, 16 years later, the nation faces elimination as they will have to get past the 6-3-1 Ukranian team that tallied up 21 points in the first round of the tournament.
