The games didn't really have everything, did they? The results did some upsets, some heroics, a few of the expected teams going in but outside of the one game which forced a playoff (Egypt 2 Algeria 0), some of these games were completely zapped of the necessary drama.

(Not, of course, that one played in the Stade de France.

Video Info:
18.11.2009 - FIFA World Cup Qualifiers
Bosnia-Herzegovina - Portugal 0:1

Bosnia-Herzegovina have made it to a playoff for World Cup qualification for the first time in their brief history and manager Miroslav Ciro Blazevic (picture above, second from right) says the secret to their success is all down to one thing: passionate mouth kisses.

Wait what?

"I take two of my players and tell them, 'Love him!

Video Info:
09.09.09 - World Cup 2010 Qualifiers
Bosnia-Herzegovina - Turkey 1:1

Croatia have qualified for three successive World Cups since Independence, reaching the Semi Final in 1998. It's a remarkable record for a nation of 4 Million. It could be about to end.
Croatia may have been resurgent under Slaven Bilić, qualifying emphatically for the EURO 2008 tournament, pimping McClaren's England along the way, but 2007-8 was a long time ago.

Video Info:
10.10.2009 - FIFA World Cup Qualifiers
Estland - Bosnia-Hercegovina 0:2
ESTONYA - BOSNA HERSEK 1. GOL (WWW.BOSNAKDUNYASI.COM)
von bosnakdunyasi
ESTONYA - BOSNA HERSEK 2. GOL (WWW.BOSNAKDUNYASI.COM)
von bosnakdunyasi

Video Info:
14.10.2009 - FIFA World Cup Qualifiers
Bosnia Herzegovina - Spain 2:5

The Republic of Ireland national football team will have to beat France in order to participate in the 2010 World Cup South Africa. This was decided in Zurich this afternoon (Monday) in a controversial seeded draw.

The two sides (Ireland and France) last met in the 2006 World Cup qualifying stages sharing a 0-0 draw in Paris; a Thierry Henry goal was the difference between the two sides in Ireland.

With 23 nations already qualified for World Cup 2010, there are just nine places in South Africa still up for grabs. Three of those will be decided when African qualifying concludes next Wednesday. But that's a separate post. The six other qualifiers will be decided by playoffs, starting tomorrow.

In a week's time we will know a near complete list of the nations who will be competing to lift the World Cup in South Africa. The first legs take place on November 14, with the second legs on the 18th. The African nations qualification process takes a little longer, so I'll be focusing on the Republic of Ireland Vs France, Bosnia-Herz Vs Portugal, Russia Vs Slovenia and Greece Vs Ukraine.

(*it's the opposite of Offside Rewind)

FRANCK FIFE/AFP/Getty

Rather than looking back at the week that was, let's look forward to this weekend's World Cup qualifying games by linking up all the WorldCupBlog previews.

The first legs of the European World Cup play-offs took place yesterday (Saturday) and Russia, Portugal and France all take slender advantages into their second legs.

Portugal managed to beat Bosnia-Herzegovina 1-0 in Lisbon in their first leg. With Cristiano Ronaldo ruled out of the tie through injury the Portuguese had to rely on the likes of Simao Sabrosa, Liedson and Deco for their creative spark but all three were guilt of below-par performances.

Edin Dzeko - Bosnia's dangerman (AFP)When FIFA announced back in September that they were going to seed the UEFA European playoffs for World Cup 2010 qualification, they instantly drew the ire of...

PSNL Fans were hoping to face Slovenia before this mornings draw, as 40% of all votes turned in the past few days here on P.S.N.L. supported this matchup for Portugal's knockout playoff game for a World Cup spot. The Portuguese will be taking on Bosnia-Herzegovina which was the second most popular choice from fans at 23%.

The slightly controversial UEFA bridesmaid's draw has taken place and fortunately it's gone off without controversy. Somehow, someway, despite UEFA being involved, Liverpool and Chelsea will not meet. Who knew?

It's rather pedestrian, really, as perhaps the two best teams France and Russia were handed the easiest draw.

Bit of controversy in European World Cup qualifying, with the powers that be pulling what looks like a commercially motivated bait and switch with the playoffs.

Here's what's happened: The nine European group winners all qualify automatically. So that's Denmark, Switzerland, Slovakia, Germany, Spain, England, Serbia, Italy, Netherlands all going to South Africa.

Argentine ace and Barcelona star Lionel Messi has had quite a year. After leading Barcelona to an unprecedented treble in the Champions League, La Liga and Copa del Ray he is now up for both the Ballon d'Or (European footballer of the year) and the equally prestigious FIFA World Player of the Year.

Video Info:
14.11.2009 - FIFA World Cup Qualifiers
Portugal - Bosnia Herzegovina 1:0