File picture of Germany’s coach Joachim Loew during a training session. Germany have won their last five group games and now take on Ireland before they greet Georgia.

DPA/Berlin

World champions Germany and defending European champions Spain are two of the big hitters ready to cross the line for a place at Euro 2016 in France.
Germany need a point in Dublin against Ireland while Spain will qualify if they avoid defeat against Luxembourg in the six days of qualifiers running from Thursday to Tuesday.
Italy and Portugal are among the other big names close to qualifying, while both Wales and Northern Ireland are on the verge of reaching a European Championship final for the first time.
England, Austria, Czech Republic and Iceland have already joined hosts France at the 24-team tournament next summer.
Fifteen more qualifying places are up for grabs in the final two games to determine the top two in each group and the best third-placed side. Eight other teams who finish third will go into the November play-offs for the final four tickets.
Germany have won their last five group games after a slow start and are confident of finishing the job against Ireland before they greet Georgia in Leipzig on Sunday.
“The only thing we’re concerned about is finishing top of the group and secure direct passage to the Euros,” coach Joachim Loew said.
Despite injuries, Spain should also get the point they need against Luxembourg in Logrono before a trip to Ukraine for their final game.
“It’s true that we are being badly hit by injuries recently. But I have complete confidence in the young players I have called up as replacements,” Spain manager Vicente del Bosque said.
Among the teams close to qualifying are Wales and Belgium from Group B. Wales - playing in Bosnia-Herzegovina Saturday followed by a game against minnows Andorra in Cardiff Tuesday - need just a point to reach their first major tournament since the 1958 World Cup.
“We are close to achieving something no other team has done before,” said Wales winger Gareth Bale, who has recovered from injury.
“I have prepared well for the last couple of weeks with my rehab. We are all on board, ready to go.”
Belgium will qualify if they beat Andorra, while Israel are now likely battling with Bosnia-Herzegovina and Cyprus for the play-off spot.
Northern Ireland in Group F are also close to qualifying for the first time, needing a win in either of their two remaining games, at home to Greece and away to Finland. Romania, Hungary, Finland remain in contention.
Italy need a win at Azerbaijan Saturday or over Norway Tuesday to secure qualification from Group H. Norway meanwhile know that a victory over visiting Malta Saturday will be enough if Croatia fail to beat Bulgaria.
Portugal will be through in Group I if they beat or draw with Denmark Thursday. If Denmark fail to win, Albania will secure second spot with a home defeat of Serbia.
In Group A where the battle is for the play-off place behind qualified Iceland and Czech Republic, the Netherlands are in danger of missing their first Euro finals since 1984.
The Dutch cannot afford to slip up at Kazakhstan Saturday before hosting Czech Republic Tuesday. With a two-point advantage and a better head-to-head, Turkey will clinch third spot with a draw at Czech Republic if the Dutch lose.
In Spain’s group Slovakia need a win from their last two games - at home to Belarus and away to Luxembourg - to qualify, with Ukraine at least certain of third spot.
Poland are favourites to qualify with Germany, but must first overcome Scotland at Hampden Park Thursday before they tackle Ireland Sunday. Ireland are still in contention for automatic qualification, while Scotland can still finish third.