Football: Italy, France looking to qualify for Euro

FLORENCE: Italy are on the brink of Euro 2012 qualification, knowing that victory over Slovenia will ensure their place in the finals. Italy have six wins and a draw from their seven group games which leaves them needing another two points from three games. Meanwhile, France are expected to take another step towards qualification when they face Romania. However, coach Laurent Blanc will have to drive off the challenge posed by close pursuers Bosnia-Herzegovina, who host Belarus and are hoping to close their three point gap in the event of France losing. In other matches, England will be taking on Wales, whereas Netherlands will face Finland.



Published in The Express Tribune, September 6^th, 2011.