Germany and Spain on brink of Euro 2012

PARIS - European powerhouses Germany and Spain are on the brink of reaching Euro 2012 ahead of the latest round of qualifying matches on Friday and Saturday.

World Cup semifinalist Germany, which has won all seven of its Group A matches to date, will be assured of a place in Poland and Ukraine if it defeated Austria in Gelsenkirchen on Friday evening.

"We just need to take the final step," said Germany coach Joachim Loew.