World Cup Corner

Norway, Slovakia and Switzerland must play against statistics in the last three European play-off matches for the FIFA World Cup 2006. The statistics, based on the previous encounters between Norway v Czech Republic, Spain v Slovakia and Switzerland v Turkey is favoring Czechs, Spain and Turkey.

Norway v Czech Republic

• Czechoslovakia won 3:2 on November 4, 1988 in Bratislava (friendly)
• Czechoslovakia won 3-2 on September 25, 1991 in Oslo (friendly)
• Draw 1:1 on August 16, 1995 in Oslo (UEFA European Championship qualifying)
• Czech Republic won 2:0 on September 6, 1995 in Prague (European Championship qualifying)

Switzerland v Turkey

• Draw 0:0 on May 09, 1973 in Basel (FIFA World Cup qualifying)
• Turkey won 2:0 on November 18, 1973 in Izmir (FIFA World Cup qualifying)
• Draw 0:0 on July 28, 1985 in Saint Gall (friendly)
• Turkey won 1:0 on March 12, 1986 in Adana (friendly)
• Switzerland won 2:1 on December 14, 1994 in Istanbul (European Championship qualifying)
• Turkey won 2:1 on April 26, 1995 in Bern (European Championship qualifying)

Spain v Slovakia

• Czechoslovakia won 1:0 on May 5, 1962 in Vina del Mar (FIFA World Cup finals)
• Czechoslovakia won 2:1 on February 24, 1988 in Malaga (friendly)
• Spain won 1:0 on February 2, 1990 in Alicante (friendly)
• Czechoslovakia won 3:2 on November 14, 1990 in Prague (European Championship qualifying)
• Spain won 2:1 on November 3, 1991 in Seville (European Championship qualifying)
• Spain won 4:1 on November 13, 1996 in Santa Cruz de Tenerife (FIFA World Cup qualifying)

Elsewhere, Australia is seeking revenge against Uruguay for their defeat at this same stage four years ago. Trinidad and Tobago and Bahrain will be playing for the very first time.

Related articles:
World Cup play-off draw
Six teams from Europe enter play-offs
Australia looking for revenge in play-off
Who can still make the 2006 World Cup finals