Euro 2012 Qualifying, Group H: Are Norway Too Far In Front?
How Things Were, Before Friday: While Carlos Queiroz’s drug test games had distracted us, Norway had quietly assumed a cat bird’s seat. With wins at Iceland and against Portugal, the Norweigans were the group’s only six point team. With Denmark on three but about to visit Portugal, Egil Olsen’s team was a minor upset in Cyprus and a Denmark trip in Porto way from dominating this group.
Where They Stand, Now: And that’s exactly what happened. John Arne Riise put Norway in front early, a lead they never gave up, while Portugal was very convincing in beating Denmark. While Paulo Bento’s Selecçao debut hinted that Portugal was ready to resume the role as the group’s best team, their five points deficit with five matches left may be too much to overcome, with Portugal already having lost in Oslo.
Question That Will Define The Group, Going Forward: With Paulo Bento’s releasing the reigns return Portugal to prominence?
Predicted Order Of Finish:
- Norway
- Portugal
- Denmark
- Cyprus
- Iceland
