Before the top players go on holiday, there's still 1 final act. The Qualifiers for Russia. The stand out match has to be the 115th needing between Scotland and England at Hampden Park. England is cruising comfortably to Russia while the Scots are in serious need of points if they want to overhaul either Slovakia or Slovenia for 2nd place.

They got pummelled 3-0 at Wembley in the reverse fixture. Can they get something on Friday night. It would be good if they did.
The other interesting contests are in Group G. Both Spain and Italy are on 13 points. Which 1 will top the group and gain automatic promotion? Italy have it easier with Liechtenstein while the Spanish go to Macedonia. Holland are again in danger of missing on qualification to a major tourney, lying 4th behind Bulgaria, Sweden and France who play each other in Stockholm. A draw or French win would be the preferred result I suppose. Dick Advocaat returns to manage the Dutch for a 3rd time.

Elsewhere the Irish face Austria at home, they lie 2nd behind Serbia on goal difference. The Serbs host Wales who need a win being 4 points off the pace. European Champions Portugal are 3 points behind the Swiss and that isn't likely to be narrowed should they win in Latvia, since the Swiss face the Faroe Islands.