Euro 2012 Qualifiers

[Keystone Phil]

Beautiful win complete a goal from my boy Rossi. If we get just two wins out of our last four games, there is no mathematical way for anyone to surpass us at the top of the group.   

Now let's just kick Ireland's ass in Tuesday's Friendly. 

[Keystone Phil]

Decent game overall. Moldavia isn't as simple an obstacle as one might think so 4-1 is pretty good.

And what happened to Bosnia and Lithuania? There weren't generally that many interesting games tonight, unfortunately.

Yeah, the interesting games are tomorrow. Norway vs. Portugal ought to be the biggest one.

As for Lithuania, that is just too funny. Not only to lose by to lose 0-2 to Liechtenstein. Ouch. That's Liechtenstein's first competitive win in four years. As for Bosnia, that is less surprising. Romania might be pretty pathetic these days but they had home field advantage and Bosnia isn't exactly a good team anyway.

Another real embarrassment is France continuing to struggle against Belarus. They might just give France a good run in the home stretch especially since two of France's remaining games are in Romania and Albania. The former has put on very good performances at home while the latter isn't a pushover on home turf either.

[Keystone Phil]

Decent game overall. Moldavia isn't as simple an obstacle as one might think so 4-1 is pretty good.

And what happened to Bosnia and Lithuania? There weren't generally that many interesting games tonight, unfortunately.

Yeah, the interesting games are tomorrow. Norway vs. Portugal ought to be the biggest one.

As for Lithuania, that is just too funny. Not only to lose by to lose 0-2 to Liechtenstein. Ouch. That's Liechtenstein's first competitive win in four years. As for Bosnia, that is less surprising. Romania might be pretty pathetic these days but they had home field advantage and Bosnia isn't exactly a good team anyway.

Another real embarrassment is France continuing to struggle against Belarus. They might just give France a good run in the home stretch especially since two of France's remaining games are in Romania and Albania. The former has put on very good performances at home while the latter isn't a pushover on home turf either.

Bosnia is criminally underrated. Dzeko just moved to Manchester City, for instance. In the last World Cup qualifier they finished second in their group behind Spain, ahead of Turkey and Belgium. In the WCQ before that they finished 3rd in their group, having tied Spain in both legs.

And, they're undefeated against Italy.

Maybe but remember that I have a pretty high standard as to what a "good" team is in Soccer. 

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Yeah, they were terrible in the last World Cup qualifiers but they've obviously improved somewhat. Tying Belarus in Belarus isn't that bad if a team like France can't get their hands around them. I'd say that tie against Albania was probably more of a hangover from the 2010 World Cup qualifiers since it was their first game of these qualifiers.

Whatever the case, they've certainly fallen hard since the 2008 qualifying campaign which saw them top their group against The Netherlands (including one win and one draw against the Dutch).

[Keystone Phil]

And just as I give Romania some credit, their coach resigns.

[Keystone Phil]

I would, were that to happen to me.

Quit as coach of Romania? How about never take the job. 

[Keystone Phil]

Wow. Talk about terrible luck for England.

[Keystone Phil]

...and just seconds later, a dose of luck. This is going to be an exciting game.

[Keystone Phil]

England caught a big break with Bulgaria tying Montenegro. Group B is all tied up at the top between Ireland, Slovakia and Russia. This one should be the most exciting between now and October. Totally unpredictable. I'm hoping for Ireland and Slovakia to make it through. If that happens and assuming one of the two wins their playoff, I'd love to be grouped with them in the Finals. We have a score to settle with the latter from last year. I have a feeling the result would be much different this time around.    And, of course, Italy vs. Ireland is always good fun.

Group F is interesting with Israel putting on what has to be a strong than expected performance. Their only losses are to Croatia and Greece. That being said, they have to face both of them again so I don't think Israel is going to be advance. This one is between Greece and Croatia. Their game on October 7th should be the decisive one.

Group H is like Group B - three way tie at the top - but probably a little less unpredictable. Portugal has the easier final games but they've screwed up before. Maybe Cyprus can stick it to them again and Denmark or Norway will take the group. I wouldn't bet on it though.

[Keystone Phil]

How much longer will that fascist last as England coach, I wonder? Oh... wait. I forgot. Those contractual issues that the FA stupidly (tautology?) agreed to.

How's Wales doing, Al? Oh, wait. Sorry. Let me ask that again: Wwhaghr duyerbag ngaagil blerekant?

[Keystone Phil]

British football tends to go through a bad spell when the Tories are in power, ftr.

For awhile, I thought I was the only one that noticed that Italy does poorly when Berlusconi is in power. How naive I was. After the 2010 World Cup, an image floated around Facebook showing the failures of the Azzurri during Berlusconi's time in the office with a picture of the 2006 team lifting the Cup next to a picture of Prodi. 

[Keystone Phil]

2010 0 second place

Oh really? 

[Keystone Phil]

Really no need for that, dear. I described Capello as a fascist because he appears to be one (as in: a supporter of fascism) and not because he's Italian.

I know Capello is a right winger but fascist? I can't help but think you exaggerated it to throw in another veiled jab. Just call him "Benito Capello" next time. You'll still be able to excuse it: "What? Fabio sounds like Benito."

[Keystone Phil]

You ought to at least correct to foreigner's Welsh orthography, Alun. These mistakes happen.

This is true. The letter 'k' is no longer used for one thing.

Damn. I wasn't going to put that in at first. Oh well. Almost dead on though. 

[Keystone Phil]

You ought to at least correct to foreigner's Welsh orthography, Alun. These mistakes happen.

This is true. The letter 'k' is no longer used for one thing.

Damn. I wasn't going to put that in at first. Oh well. Almost dead on though. 

No, not almost dead on. No way 'duyerbag' could ever be a Welsh word.

I guess I didn't throw together enough random letters.

[Keystone Phil]

I think Germany will be the first non-host team to qualify with a win today at Azerbaijan. The real excitement of the day, of course, will be Italy vs. Ireland in a Friendly. 

[Keystone Phil]

I think Germany will be the first non-host team to qualify with a win today at Azerbaijan. The real excitement of the day, of course, will be Italy vs. Ireland in a Friendly. 

Do you know if that is on TV?

Of course it is...in countries that appreciate the game. FSC and GolTV aren't covering it. I'm surprised that the local Irish Soccer pubs with satellite channels aren't covering it or at least they weren't when I checked. Anyway, you can watch it online - http://atdhe.ws/

[Keystone Phil]

I think Germany will be the first non-host team to qualify with a win today at Azerbaijan. The real excitement of the day, of course, will be Italy vs. Ireland in a Friendly. 

Do you know if that is on TV?

Of course it is...in countries that appreciate the game. FSC and GolTV aren't covering it. I'm surprised that the local Irish Soccer pubs with satellite channels aren't covering it or at least they weren't when I checked. Anyway, you can watch it online - http://atdhe.ws/

Yeah, I think since it is a friendly there is a lot less coverage. I'm trying to get some work done (or at least pretend to) so the the pub wasnt an option anyway:).  There is an Italian place not too far from me, but I wouldnt fit in (or be welcome) with the Gotti wannabes who frequent it.

Thanks for the link.

Sure, they get a lot less coverage but the pubs usually cover the games especially when there aren't any huge qualifiers going on at the same time. One of the most popular Soccer pubs is showing Sweden vs. Finland instead. It just doesn't make sense.

[Keystone Phil]

Stop the presses! Forget Ireland being up 1-0 over Italy at halftime...Faroe Islands are beating Estonia 2-0 in the second half! This is great!

[Keystone Phil]

This will be the whopping fourth competitive win for the Faroe Islands in ten years. Estonia has totally collapsed.

[Keystone Phil]

Nice by Ireland.  Trap as them playing well.  Hopefully they can build on this come Sept. 

Hopefully play well enough to qualify so we can face them in the group stage next year.    I'd love a group of Italy, Ireland, Slovakia and France. Imagine the drama between those teams (Slovakia not as much but there would still be a revenge factor in Italy vs. Slovakia).

[Keystone Phil]

Friendly action today. Italy vs. Spain has been amazing. Italy should be up 3-0 or maybe more. They dominated for most of the first half, scored in the 14th minute then Spain was awarded a penalty and scored. It was a terrible call though.

[Keystone Phil]

Isn't your sig from the Euro 2008 quarterfinal? If yes then it's a strange choice since Italy lost.

1) Go to hell.

2) It was a great highlight from that game and one of Buffon's two penalty saves from that tournament.

[Keystone Phil]

Isn't your sig from the Euro 2008 quarterfinal? If yes then it's a strange choice since Italy lost.

1) Go to hell.

2) It was a great highlight from that game and one of Buffon's two penalty saves from that tournament.

You could put that instead.

I've put variations of it but we don't want it overplayed and the current one is more relevant (though, of course, Buffon let in the only penalty today).

[Keystone Phil]

ITALIA IN VANTAGGIO! 2-1!

[Keystone Phil]

Italia -  2
Spagna - 1*



Beautiful.



*Total nonsense penalty.