© EuroFootball.com
European national football teams are gearing up for the fight to qualify for the 2014 World Cup.
Russia will try to redeem themselves after a tragic performance at this year's European Championship, where they failed to even overcome the first stage barrier. In their group, Russia was by no means among the strongest European teams - Czech Republic and Greece were ahead of them.
The Russian team, which reached the semi-finals in the 2008 European Championships, will try to regain their lost glory under the recently-appointed famous coach, Italian Fabio Capello. The last time the Russians played in a World Cup final tournament was in 2002.
In Group F, alongside Russia and Northern Ireland, Portugal, Israel, Azerbaijan, and Luxembourg will also compete.
One of the strongest national teams in the world, the Netherlands, stumbled in the last European Championships. The Dutch sensationally lost all three matches in the group stage and embarrassingly exited the competition. In the last World Cup, the Dutch team made it all the way to the final. Fans of the Dutch team believe that the new coach, Louis van Gaal, will lead the star-studded team back to the path of victories.
In recent years, Turkey's national team has faced setbacks. The Turks failed to qualify for this year's European Championships. They have not participated in the World Cup final stage since 2002. The country's team last showed promise four years ago when they reached the semi-finals in the continental championship.
In Group D, alongside the Netherlands and Turkey, Hungary, Romania, Estonia, and Andorra will compete.
In Group C matches at home, Austria will try to challenge the favorites, the Germans. Austria has played in the World Cup final tournaments seven times, but the last time was very long ago - in 1998. The Germans, who have won the World Cup three times (1954, 1974, 1990), have been stuck in the semi-finals in recent years. In the last World Cup, they lost to the Spaniards, and in this year's European Championship, they lost to the Italians.
In Group C, Sweden, Ireland, the Faroe Islands, and Kazakhstan will also compete alongside the Germans and Austrians.
