Germany close but France and Italy sweat

By Martyn Herman

LONDON (Reuters) - Germany can secure their place at Euro 2008 on Saturday with a draw in Ireland although many of Europe's other elite nations are still biting their fingernails as the qualification journey nears its end.

Twice former champions France are sweating in third place in Group B after their shock home defeat by surprise leaders Scotland last month and travel to the rocky shores of the Faroe Islands knowing they can afford no more slip-ups.

"We've a gun pointed at our head. That's good, it's going to motivate us," coach Raymond Domenech said this week. "It's like playing Cup matches -- we lose a game, we're out. We know that."

Italy, second in the group but also vulnerable, have left out veteran strikers Alessandro Del Piero and Filippo Inzaghi for their home clash against Georgia.

Spain have made heavy weather of Group F and face a tricky trip to Denmark who are desperate for a victory to keep their hopes alive. Reliable Sweden top that group and victory in Liechtenstein would almost seal a place in the finals.

Rejuvenated England are at home to Estonia on Saturday in Group E confident of opening up a five-point gap on third-placed Russia who they face in Moscow on Wednesday.

Leaders Croatia host Israel and can clinch a place in the finals if they win and Russia do not beat England.

Romania and Netherlands, neck and neck at the top of Group G, clash in Bucharest with the Dutch missing injured goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar who pulled out of the squad on Thursday.