Eight teams will compete for the final four European spots at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. The draw was held this morning and here's the result...

REPUBLIC OF IRELAND x FRANCE

PORTUGAL x BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA

RUSSIA x SLOVENIA

GREECE x UKRAINE


My early predictions...

Republic of Ireland, Portugal, Russia, Ukraine

I'll take a more conservative route and say France, Portugal and Russia will come out of the first round with a win.

Greece and Ukraine is tough. Slight edge to Greece.

Africa should be interesting. Only Ghana and the Ivory Coast have qualified so far of the five groups. With the final in Africa I know African fans will coalesce around any African team against a non-African one. They really think this might be the year for a first African champion.

Being a Drogba fan I like IC but he may not have the team around him. Ghana may be their best bet. They were impressive knocking the USA out in 2006.

With injuries to Charlie Davies and Gooch, among others, I hope we don't meet them again. Size is our strength and I think Ghana neutralizes that with their aggressive style. I would almost rather we meet Brazil.