European group stage for the 2014 World Cup simulation in Brazil has been completed and nine group winners have qualified for the tournament.
Group A - Croatia claimed the top spot in the group, and Serbia topped Belgium 2-0 in the last game to finish in second place. Croatia proved they were the top seed in the group by taking first place and qualifying for 2014 World Cup after missing out on the World Cup in 2010 for the first time.
Group B - Italy finished in 1st place of Group B without losing a game, while Denmark took second place, three points ahead of third place finisher Czech Republic. Italy returns to the World Cup again after bowing out early in 2010, however the Italians were World Champs in 2006.
Group C - Another European power took first place in Group C, Germany finished ahead of second place finisher Ireland by 5 points. Germans are making their 15th straight World Cup appearance, and they look to go far in their 2014 World Cup campaign.
Group D - After taking second place in South Africa 2010, Netherlands took first place in Group D of Europe qualification. Behind the Dutch, Romania finished in second place and will advance to the Europe playoffs as they hope to advance to the World Cup for the first time since 1998.
Group E - Switzerland took top spot in Group E and the Suisse will make their third consecutive trip to the World Cup. Norway finished in second place and Norwegians hope they can advance to the European playoffs and to the World Cup for the first time since 1998.
Group F - Portugal is becoming a regular at the World Cup, and their success in topping Group F has allowed them to make a fourth straight appearance. Russia hopes to get back to the World Cup after missing out on the last two World Cups, as they finished second in Group F and advance to European qualification playoffs.
Group G - Slovakia continues they're continual progression in European and world football. Slovaks topped Group G and they make a second straight trip to the world football championships. In a surprise, Greece didn't take second place, but Bosnia-Herzegovina's 3-1 win in the final match over the Greeks allowed Bosnia-Herzegovina to claim second place.
Group H - England showed no mercy as they won all 10 games to claim first place, while Ukraine finished 10 points behind the English to take runners-up position. Ukraine is trying to return to the World Cup after making it to the final 8 in 2006.
Group I - Definitely, Group I's matchup between European heavyweights Spain and France was the most exciting thing about the European qualification tournament. France used a win and a draw against the defending world champions to squeak by the Spaniards for top spot in the group. Spain is most likely to participate in the European playoffs, in a desperate move to avoid missing out on defending their world championship title.
Group Winners: Croatia, Italy, Germany, Netherlands, Switzerland, Portugal, Slovakia, England and France.
Runners-Up: Serbia, Denmark, Ireland, Romania, Norway, Russia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Ukraine and Spain.
European playoff-stage participants still to be determined by UEFA, and draw for competition will occur soon.
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