Home - News - article
Scotland aim to reign in Spain to clinch playoff
Posted Sunday, October 09, 2011 by YAHOO Sport

Manchester United midfielder Darren Fletcher should be fit to face Spain on Tuesday as Scotland aim to beat the world champion and secure a playoff spot for the European Championship.

Scotland must at least equal Czech Republic’s result at Lithuania to clinch second place in Group I.

Fletcher made a quick recovery from tonsillitis to captain Scotland in the 1-0 win at Liechtenstein on Saturday.

Although Spain has won all its qualifying matches so far and has dominated the group, Fletcher says Scotland must show “no fear.”

Spain coach Vicente Del Bosque is likely to rotate his players for the match in Alicante. Valencia left-back Jordi Alba should make his debut, while Thiago, Javi Martinez, Pedro and Santi Cazorla could all start.

Standings
    Rank Team W/D/L Pts

    Cities & Stadiums

    The Top 3 Teams of Previous Tournaments

    Year Winners Runner-up Third place
    2008SpainGermanyRussia / Turkey
    2004GreecePortugalNetherlands / Czech Republic
    2000FranceItalyNetherlands / Portugal
    1996GermanyCzech RepublicFrance / England
    1992DenmarkGermanyNetherlands / Sweden
    1988NetherlandsSoviet UnionItaly / West Germany
    1984FranceSpainDenmark / Portugal
    1980West GermanyBelgiumCzechoslovakia
    1976CzechoslovakiaWest GermanyNetherlands
    1972West GermanySoviet UnionBelgium
    1968ItalyYugoslaviaEngland
    1964SpainSoviet UnionHungary
    1960Soviet UnionYugoslaviaCzechoslovakia