Dimon, dude, your qualification group can definitely be considered well balanced, I agree. With Germany opting for group winners of course. Finland are back in the game after a couple of years playing at la-la-land. Their team manager, Roy Hodgson, built a solid foundation for the future. They are your main rivals for the final second place in your group. Wales has ups and downs, it usually depends on the group they draw. A couple of years ago they missed qualification to big tournaments on the finish line, I would say unlucky. They are to be taken seriously in any case since a big part of their squad plays in the Premiership. Azerbaijan is always good for a surprise, watch out. We played against them on a club level in this year's Champions League first preliminary round. They did one hell of a job and made us sweat and struggle to go through to the next round. I expect their national team to play likely, good defence and physically strong always threatening with counters. Liechtenstein has improved over the years. But they should be no danger or whatsoever to your World Cup 2010 campaign.

 

My advice would be: Try to gain some points against Germany. You need home wins against Finland and Wales and the full score of 6 points against the so called weaker teams in your group. A tie in Finland and Wales would help too of course. Depends what happens in the group, as usually.

 

Anyway, relax, the toughest group of all is France, Romania and Serbia in my opinion. Followed by the group that is lead by Italy and so on. I'd say we have been given the 4th toughest group. England again, nice deja-vu, ain't it?! It's that time again 

 

What's the news about Hiddink? Rumors has it that he is leaving Moscow for a new challenge.

 

 

Harmony and prosperity to the people of Russia