Germany’s players, exhausted according to coach Joachim Loew, must pick themselves up for one last fling as the marathon European season bows out with a whimper on Tuesday.
The Germans, with six wins from six games in Group A, face their former coach Berti Vogts as they make the long trip to Azerbaijan for a Euro 2012 qualifier -- probably the last thing they would have wanted at this stage of the campaign.
Germany are the only big guns in action on a night of six less than mouth-watering ties, the others involving teams playing, at best, for second spot in their respective groups.
Bosnia play their first home match since emerging from an international ban when they host Albania, Sweden entertain neighbours Finland and the Faroe Island take on Estonia.
San Marino will attempt to keep the score respectable at home to Hungary and Luxembourg will have similar ambitions when they visit Belarus.
GERMAN LIMIT
Germany's players scarcely had a rest after the exertions of the World Cup in South Africa last year.
Loew believes they been suffering a knock-on effect ever since and were at "the limit of their strength" after their 2-1 in Austria on Friday
Already without Bastian Schweinsteiger and Miroslav Klose through injury before that match, he will also have to cope without midfielder Sami Khedira and Simon Rolfes.
Although Germany thumped Azerbaijan 6-1 earlier in the group and have scored 12 goals in three meetings with the former Soviet republic, Loew warned his runaway group leaders against complacency.
"I have full confidence that the players will get the job done. It will not be a joyride for us, Turkey were beaten there," he said.
The 1-0 win against Turkey gave Azerbaijan their only points in the group so far.
Bosnia's relief at ending their suspension -- imposed because the previous three-man presidency of the federation fell foul of FIFA statutes and lifted only last week --- could be short-lived if they fail to beat Albania in Group D.
Thumped 3-0 in Romania on Friday, fifth-placed Bosnia have seven points, two behind second-placed Belarus who should comfortably win their match at home to Luxemburg. France are clear leaders with 13.
Sweden, second in Group E, cannot afford any slip-ups against Finland.
They currently have 12 points, six behind leaders Netherlands who have won all six games, and three ahead of Hungary, who should comfortably see off tiny San Marino.
Victory for Estonia in the Faroe Islands would take them into third spot in Group C, ahead of Serbia and only one point behind second-placed Slovenia.
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