Spain, the Netherlands, Turkey, Russia and Croatia have two games in five days to make up for botched qualifying campaigns and complete a heavyweight line-up for next year’s European Championship in Portugal.Spain have arguably the toughest task of them all as they take on a dangerous Norway side in Valencia on Saturday before the return in Oslo on Wednesday. Spain missed out on direct qualification from Group Six to Greece in the biggest surprise of the campaign. They remain clear favourites to overcome Norway but will need a handy lead to take back from Saturday’s opening leg.With that in mind, coach Inaki Saez is likely to field his most attacking line-up, with in-form youngster Jose Antonio Reyes set to start alongside Raul and Fernando Torres up front. ‘‘I can’t imagine Euro 2004 without Spain,’’ said fullback Michel Salgado. ‘‘We’re going to be there.’’The Netherlands, who missed out on a direct qualifying place to the Czech Republic, will go into their playoff against Scotland with fears of missing out on another major tournament, after failing to qualify for last year’s World Cup.Scotland, managed by Berti Vogts, gave Germany a fright on their way to claiming second place in Group Five behind the World Cup runners-up, although history will be very much against them on Saturday. Scotland have not beaten the Netherlands in six meetings since 1982, scoring only once in that time.Wales, who have not reached a major tournament since the 1958 World Cup, started the qualifying campaign in brilliant form under coach Mark Hughes but were eventually pipped to the post in Group Nine by Italy.Russia also started the campaign well but a loss of form saw them slip to third in Group 10 before the arrival of Georgy Yartsev as coach sharpened up their act and took them to second place behind Switzerland, ahead of Ireland.The other favourites for the playoffs are Turkey, who had to settle for second place in Group Seven behind England but should be far too strong for Latvia, starting in Riga on Saturday. Latvia’s second place in Group Four, clinched with a shock 1-0 victory over Sweden in the final match, was hailed as the country’s greatest footballing achievement.The hardest tie to call is the clash between Croatia, who finished just behind Bulgaria in Group Eight, and Slovenia, who clinched second spot well behind holders France in Group One. (Reuters)
