Group A: The permutations

Erich Ribbeck's post-match comment that Germany's defeat by England left his side with only a "theoretical chance" of going through was correct. Germany can still equal England on points if they beat Portugal tomorrow and England draw with Romania, but England would progress because the head-to-head result between England and Germany is the first of several criteria used. Similarly, just as England can catch Portugal on six points, Portugal would win the group because they beat England.

If Romania beat England and Germany beat Portugal, both Romania and Germany will have four points - England will be out - but because Germany and Romania have drawn, neither has a head-to-head points advantage over the other. At this stage goal difference becomes the determining factor. All will depend on the scorelines tomorrow.

If Germany win 2-0 and Romania 1-0 then Germany would have a better goal difference and would also have scored more, the next factor. If, however, the results are identical, say both 1-0 wins, then, according to the organisers a system called the: "Coefficient derived from Euro 2000 and 1998 World Cup qualifiers" is decisive. Basically this is points obtained in qualifying divided by the number of games.

If those turn out to be equal, then the country's Fair Play ranking is taken into account and if that does not work they draw lots. All clear?