1.   Blessed, too, were the Germans, who blew a sure thing in their final two qualifiers at home and had to survive a playoff with Ukraine.

2.   Even with a win here Monday, the Yanks could finish second to the Swedes, who are almost sure to beat Belarus in their final qualifier.

3.   France had set up training sites in the US while needing a result at home against either Israel or Bulgaria in its final two qualifiers.

4.   In the final qualifier, Denmark must protect a five-goal advantage at home against Israel.

5.   In the final qualifier in California, he bogeyed the final hole and fell one stroke short of regaining his tour membership.

6.   Jim Gregory and coach Jan Bartu left this week for Rome and the final Olympic qualifier.

7.   Helped lead Brazil over Venezuela in the final qualifier, clinching a World Cup berth.

8.   Luizao was a starter on the Brazilian national team and seemed assured of a spot on the World Cup team after his play in the final qualifier last November.

9.   Poland joins Yugoslavia and Bulgaria as the final qualifiers.

10.   Romania now faces Slovenia in the playoffs to determine the final qualifiers.