| Robert Millward | | | | top three teams. |
| London, England (AP) - Qualifying for the 2008 | | | | Leader Croatia, which is unbeaten in 32 competitive |
| European Championship is just past the halfway | | | | games at home, hosts third-place Russia and |
| stage, and most of the leading teams are rising to | | | | second-place Israel will be confident of winning at |
| the top of their groups. | | | | Andorra, which is last after losing all six of its games. |
| In Wednesday's qualifiers, three-time winner Germany | | | | Estonia also has lost all six matches, so if England |
| can go five points ahead in Group D, while World Cup | | | | doesn't win it could end McClaren's 10-month stint as |
| winner Italy, Portugal, Spain, the Netherlands, the | | | | coach. Midfielder Steven Gerrard says it's up to the |
| Czech Republic, France and defending champion | | | | players to help McClaren keep his job. |
| Greece all are well-positioned to finish in the top two | | | | "A manager can only do so much," Gerrard said. |
| spots in their groups and advance. | | | | "We've got to get out there and take the heat off |
| England is the exception. It is fourth in Group E and | | | | him. We are the so-called best players in England. |
| likely to stay there even if it wins at Estonia. With | | | | We're getting picked to go out there and do a job. |
| David Beckham playing his first competitive game for | | | | To be honest, Steve has been good since he took |
| England since last year's World Cup, coach Steve | | | | over. |
| McClaren's team is at least three points behind the | | | | |