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maltatoday, SUNDAY, 7 SEPTEMBER 2014 48 Sport FOOTBALL - EURO 2016 Football fi xtures Download the MaltaToday App now Euro 2016 - Qualifi ers Today Group D 18:00 Georgia - Ireland 20:45 Germany - Scotland 20:45 Gibraltar - Poland Group F 18:00 Hungary - Slovenia 20:45 Faroe Islands - Finland 20:45 Greece - Romania Group I 18:00 Denmark - Armenia 20:45 Portugal - Albania Tomorrow Group C 20:45 Luxembourg - Belarus 20:45 Spain - FYR Macedonia 20:45 Ukraine - Slovakia Group E 20:45 Estonia - Slovenia 20:45 San Marino - Lithuania 20:45 Switzerland - England Group G 18:00 Russia - Liechtenstein 20:45 Austria - Sweden 20:45 Montenegro - Moldova Tuesday, 9 September Group H 18:00 Azerbaijan - Bulgaria 20:45 Croatia - Malta 20:45 Norway - Italy Group B 20:45 Andorra - Wales 20:45 Bosnia-Herzegovina - Cyprus Group A 18:00 Kazakhstan - Latvia 20:45 Czech Republic - Netherlands 20:45 Iceland - Turkey Malta - BOV Premier League Saturday, 13 September National Stadium 16:00 Pieta Hotspurs - Floriana 18:00 Naxxar Lions - Mosta Victor Tedesco Stadium 16:00 Sliema Wanderers - Qormi 18:00 Balzan - Birkirkara Sunday, 14 September National Stadium 16:00 Zebbug Rangers - T. Rainbows 18:00 Valletta - Hibernians England - Premier League Saturday, 13 September 13:45 Arsenal - Manchester City 16:00 Chelsea - Swansea City 16:00 Cystal Palace - Burnley 16:00 Southampton - Newcastle United 16:00 Stoke City - Leicester City 16:00 Sunderland - Tottenham Hotspurs 16:00 West Bromwich Albion - Everton 18:30 Liverpool - Aston Villa Italy - Serie A Saturday, 13 September 18:00 Empoli - Roma 20:45 Juventus - Udinese Sunday, 14 September 12:30 Sampdoria - Torino 15:00 Cagliari - Atalanta 15:00 Fiorentina - Genoa 15:00 Inter - Sassuolo 15:00 Lazio - Cesena 15:00 SSC Napoli - ChievoVerona 20:45 Parma - AC Milan Joachim Low wary of 'fearless' Scots Rooney targets positive start Joachim Low has warned his Germany side to prepare for a battle against Scotland today THE Scots provide the opposition for Germany's first competitive game since this summer's World Cup win, and Gordon Strachan's side are in decent form themselves having gone six games without de- feat. That run has not gone unnoticed in the Germany camp, and Low is expecting the visitors to approach their opening European qualifier with no fear. "Scotland have had no problems in their preparations," he said. "They have a British mentality but they don't play with a British style these days. They try to play good football but are still very well or- ganised. "They have quality players and have nothing to lose in this match so will play with no fear. We know all about their team and their big- gest strength is that they are a team. "They have good players like Ste- ven Naismith, Shaun Maloney and Ikechi Anya. Darren Fletcher is the best known player playing for Manchester United. He is also the most experienced player. "They will be motivated, physi- cal and they will run a lot and they are also very good in one-on- ones. "They have won twice against Croatia and drew again USA and Nigeria and so we know they are a very good team. It will be a dif- ficult match for us." Naismith has scored against Arsenal and Chelsea already this season, and the latter's Andre Schurrle witnessed the Everton forward's threat at close quarters last week. Schurrle said: "Steven Naismith is a very good player, he's very quick and he scored a lot of goals. He played well against us for Ever- ton so he's dangerous and some- one we'll have to watch." Joachim Low believes Germany is ready for Scotland test England captain Wayne Rooney believes it is vitally important to start the European Championship qualifying campaign with a positive result in Switzerland ENGLAND captain Wayne Roon- ey believes it is vitally important to start the European Championship qualifying campaign with a posi- tive result in Switzerland. Just 76 days after their disastrous World Cup campaign came to an end, thoughts have turned to the Three Lions' next major tourna- ment in France. With the top two from each group qualifying automatically and the third-placed teams enter- ing a play-off for the expanded Euro 2016, it would take a real dis- aster for England to miss out on a spot. Switzerland, though, are ranked ninth in the world and are favour- ites at the bookmakers to win Monday's encounter at St Jakob- Park - something Rooney insists England cannot let happen. "It is important to start the qual- ifying campaign off with a good result," he said. "It is important to try and win the game, but I think not to get beat and give Switzerland the up- per hand from the first game is vital." Understandably, there is a lot of doom and gloom around the Eng- land team in the wake of the World Cup. The public's apathy was high- lighted by the fact Wednesday's 1-0 friendly win against Norway attracted Wembley's lowest crowd for an international since the sta- dium's opening in 2007. Furthermore, the 40,181 that did turn up were hardly wowed as the England display lacked inspiration and quality. However, Rooney is confident that good times are around the corner, pointing to the spirit and excitement brought by the per- formance in the World Cup opener against Italy, even if the game in Manaus ended in defeat. "It's exciting times," he said. "The Italy and Uruguay games were dis- appointing results, but I thought we did well in both games. "It could have gone either way, but we lost and we're out. We played some great attacking football. "The lads who were at that tour- nament have gained vital experi- ence from the tournament." The pressure is now on such play- ers to step up to the plate, with the retirement Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard and Ashley Cole com- pounded by a raft of injuries. Those problems have worsened further in recent days, with West Brom goalkeeper Ben Foster and uncapped Newcastle midfielder Jack Colback forced to withdraw from the squad. Things got worse still on Friday, when Daniel Sturridge sustained a thigh complaint in training. After a scan, the 25-year-old re- turned to Liverpool for treatment, further reducing their options for the match in Basle. Sturridge said on Twitter: "Heart- broken soul right now believe me. Hopefully be back soon fighting fit for LFC. Nothing worse than being injured. My heads gone" Wayne Rooney knows the importance of Switzerland clash

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