Euro 2012 Qualifiers

[GMantis]

We were undefeated (one of only four teams that can say that).

Five, actually

Ah, you're right. Still impressive. 

Anyway, the playoff draw is on Thursday. I don't know the seeding since the coefficient rankings have to be adjusted but I hope it's possible to see Portugal, Ireland, Croatia and the Czech Republic advance.

Here is the last estimation:
http://www.world-results.net/uefa/ranking.html#2011
That was before today's games, but it seems unlikely that the order will change.

[GMantis]

Great results. Denmark and Sweden qualified, Ireland in the playoffs, Portugal not yet qualified.

Looking at the UEFA rankings, Portugal, Czech Republic, Croatia and Turkey are seeded in the playoffs. What would be best for Ireland? The Czech I guess. Or Turkey, their strength is very unsteady.

These rankings are out of date. Here are the rankings after yesterday's match:
http://www.world-results.net/uefa/ranking.html#2011

[GMantis]

Seems that I wasn't the only one who thought that Ireland was helped by the referee:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/republic-of-ireland/8821001/Republic-of-Ireland-2-Armenia-1-match-report.html
Since Ireland obviously will not offer Armenia a replay, I know already who to root against in the play-offs (well, if Ireland plays against Turkey, I may think about it). And I hope we won't be hearing any more complaints about Henry's handball.

[GMantis]

Btw is the controversial scene with Cox' handball-or-no-handball online somewhere? Haven't seen it yet, and nothing on youtube.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=CdD8QiUBtmk

Thanks! Yeah it looks pretty much like a handball. But no Henry-material.

On the other hand it seems that the keeper didn't touch the ball with his arms (though he didn't do himself any favors by raising up his arms). And yes, it's not as bad as what Henry did, but the decision favored Ireland and considering how early it came, it was probably decisive.

Seems that I wasn't the only one who thought that Ireland was helped by the referee:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/republic-of-ireland/8821001/Republic-of-Ireland-2-Armenia-1-match-report.html
Since Ireland obviously will not offer Armenia a replay, I know already who to root against in the play-offs (well, if Ireland plays against Turkey, I may think about it). And I hope we won't be hearing any more complaints about Henry's handball.

There is a difference in circumstance, and I would argue level of injustice, between these two cases - a play-off extra-time deliberate double handball and offside goal, and this incident.

At any rate, though I’d have no objection to a replay, presuming such were to become an established norm. (Judging by both our group games against them Armenia don’t present too many problems for our side anyway). However, as the FAI will recall from the France incident, TPTB informed them in no uncertain terms that a replay, even if the French offered one, would be out of the question.

(When was the last time you heard anyone bring up Henry's handball anyway?)

Agree with most of what you said, but not the bolded part. I watched much of the game and for long periods the Armenians seemed more dangerous even with a player down.

And the Henry accident is mentioned constantly. Seems to go together with "Ireland" and "play-off".

[GMantis]

Who would you want to get second in that group Phil? You hate the French team, but France is clearly more of an established power than Poland or Ireland.

Certainly not Poland. It's extremely unfortunate that they'll even be allowed to participate.

The host not participating would kind of dampen the tournament...

[GMantis]

Who would you want to get second in that group Phil? You hate the French team, but France is clearly more of an established power than Poland or Ireland.

Certainly not Poland. It's extremely unfortunate that they'll even be allowed to participate.

The host not participating would kind of dampen the tournament...

Not when the hosts are a mediocre at best team. 

I don't think Euro 2008 was the best of tournaments but that wasn't because Switzerland and Austria didn't go far. Do you think fans in those countries honestly expected their teams to pull of miracle runs to the Final?

No, but at least they got to participate. You can't expect a country to put an effort in hosting a tournament and then be excluded from it.

[GMantis]

This time around it seems that all the seeded teams will go forward. Well, Portugal might be the exception

[GMantis]

O.K, so I want three of the four sides in Group D to lose all their games. Fyck.

What have you got against Sweden? (Or Ukraine?)

I've nothing against Sweden.

And the Ukraine?