41.  Defending champion Alexei Yagudin came in third in his qualifying group with a sub-par performance Monday to put his title in jeopardy with the European Figure Skating Championships opening.

42.  Each took their qualifying groups to chop the field down but Lipinski gave another standout performance while Kwan still struggled.

43.  Each winner of the nine qualifying groups and the best runner-up qualify automatically, with the eight other runners-up forced into a playoff.

44.  England is in a difficult qualifying group with Poland and World Cup runners-up Italy, with only the top club guaranteed a place in France.

45.  England currently is third in its qualifying group, two points behind Poland and Sweden, who have a game in hand.

46.  Eriksson admitted the absence of Beckham would be difficult as England attempt to win its qualifying group.

47.  Eriksson, the first non-Englishman to head the national team, inherited a side that was last in its World Cup qualifying group.

48.  England was last in its qualifying group having lost at home to Germany when coach Kevin Keegan decided to walk out.

49.  England, who finished above Italy in their qualifying group?

50.  Fellow American Michael Weiss will skate in the afternoon qualifying group.