The Dutch share a long history with South Africa dating back to 16-1700s through trade and colonization – 300-odd years later, the Netherlands are the first Europeans to qualify for WC10.

The Netherlands have dominated Group 9, winning its first seven games and boasting a 16-2 goal differential so far. The internationally friendly between the Netherlands and England last week, which was drawn 2-2, made me think of the two rivals clashing in South Africa – not so friendly perhaps?

Who will join the Dutch in South Africa? There are 12 more spots left for the continent that boasts nine World Cup titles, including defending champions Italy. Europe has split the World Cup with South America, also with nine titles.

From the nine WC10 qualifying groups, the top teams will automatically go through while the next best will have to playoff to earn one of four remaining tickets.

England, 1966 WC champions, need just draw in its next WC10 group 6 qualifier against Croatia in London on September 9 … let’s just hope nine is a lucky number for them. The Fabio Capello-led squad has won 7 of 7 group matches and have a seven-point lead from their nearest rivals Croatia with three matches remaining.

The 2006 World Cup champion Azzurri are currently top of the charts with 14 points in group 8 but just one point ahead of the Republic of Ireland. With three matches remaining for both countries, it appears the head-to-head clash in Dublin on October 10 could be defining.

The 2008 European champions Spain are well on their way with a six-point lead from next best Bosnia-Herzegovina in group 5. But with four matches remaining, mathematically they are yet to claim their spot in the draw, but pencil them in as they have won all six matches with a 13-2 goal differential. The Spainiards, however, weren’t so dominant in last week’s friendly against Macedonia, Torres and crew scoring three second-half goals to overcome a 2-0 halftime deficit.

It’s not so certain for 1998 World Cup hosts and champion France, who sit five points back from Serbia (18 points) in group 7. The French have one game in hand but the September 9 clash with Serbia will likely determine who gets the automatic berth … another reason to mark 09.09.09 on your calendar.

Three-time WC champions Germany, who lead group four by four points, will have to wait until a clash with second-placed Russia on October 10 for its chance to move directly into the showcase tournament.

Group 1 sees football giants Sweden and Portugal (both nine points) struggling behind Denmark (16) and Hungary (13). Meanwhile groups 2 and 3 are the closest races with as many as four teams mathematically still vying for an automatic bid respectively.

Only time will tell – watch this space.