aargh, what's frustrating me is the fact that Russia and Serbia never had a chance against Lebanon or Italy, and many of you are arguing that fair is fair because of p/d. This is true, it is 100% fair in terms of the rules, however, the margin in which Lebanon and Italy beat Russia and Serbia would have changed based on how each team felt on the day, the p/d in this case really does not help represent the truly ability of each team. The round robin system would really only show a deserved winner if all teams were of a similar ability.
For example; Scotland, Italy, Lebanon and Ireland in a group would make it "more fair". Even going as far to have a second group going of lesser nations, with the top two nations of that group playing the bottom two nations of the stronger group, winners qualifying for the world cup. Eventually, with the Euro Cup etc and other non qualifying tournaments being held, the gab in ability will potentially close, putting all of europe on an equal footing.
To me, the only automatic qualifiers should be Aus, NZ, Eng, France, PNG. Everyone else should be made to qualify through group stages, just like the Soccer World Cup.