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.

[Gustaf]

Given the results of today's games I doubt it will change - the Czechs won their game, after all.

I hope Portugal fails though. I would like to see Bosnia make it this time.

[Keystone Phil]

I figured all of the right teams would be seeded. 

[Filuwaúrdjan]

So, Wales won again. Weird.

[republicanism]

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.

[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These rankings are out of date.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.

[Јas]

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?)

[republicanism]

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

Oh thanks for correcting me GMantis. UEFA unpredictable as ever.
So Ireland is seeded instead of Turkey, that's a nice surprise. I'll hold my fingers crossed that they get Estonia or Montenegro tomorrow.

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

[Јas]

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

[republicanism]

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.

[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".

[Јas]

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".

Didn't see the game myself - just highlights online and read articles and such. None of the highlights I've seen had Armenia create any clear-cut chances other than their goal. (But then maybe they're not included - just as the [apparently perfectly legal] disallowed goal of Cox 5 minutes before the keeper got sent off is nowhere to be seen.)

At any rate, I won't be building up massive hopes for us in the play-offs. We're often there and we usually lose. I recall losing to Netherlands (E96), Belguim (WC98), Turkey (E00), France (WC10). Only win I can think of was against Iran (WC02).

[Keystone Phil]

At any rate, I won't be building up massive hopes for us in the play-offs. We're often there and we usually lose. I recall losing to Netherlands (E96), Belguim (WC98), Turkey (E00), France (WC10). Only win I can think of was against Iran (WC02).

All of the teams you lost to were definitely better sides (except maybe Belgium in 1998). I would have a positive outlook if I was you. I would hope to get Estonia if I was an Ireland fan.

[Gustaf]

I would say that there is a vast difference between getting either Turkey or Bosnia, both of which I think are pretty damn good teams, as opposed to Montenegro or Estonia who have over-performed in the qualifiers but could easily crumble.

Montenegro did seem to get worse towards the end of the campaign. They qualified based on their very impressive record during the first half of it. On the other hand, playing them in Podgorica seems like pure hell to me.

It obviously depends on how the teams get matched up but I think Portugal, Croatia, Bosnia and Turkey could well go through if the draw falls down that way. Ireland and Czech Rep have not impressed me a lot in this one.

[Keystone Phil]

I saw that Armenia own goal earlier. Talk about a disaster. Some own goals are understandable. That one? No. Cruel, cruel ending for the Armenians. Plus, their goalie didn't deserve to be sent off.

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.

Here's why it doesn't matter: the play didn't result in a difference making goal. Even if it did, take that goal away and it's still a tie and Ireland progresses. You don't have a replay because an Irish player used his hand and the goalie was given a red card (even if that red card was unwarranted).

However, bringing up the whole Ireland-France game from two years ago gives me a sense of obligation to point out what few people realized (maybe you realize it, Jas, but bare with me): if you take away that Henry goal, that does not mean that Ireland would have went through. Take away that goal and if the score remained, it would have went to a penalty shoot out. It aggravates me when Irish fans imply that without that goal, they would have been on their way to South Africa.

[Gustaf]

So, play-off draw is done. Unfairly enough it is basically the two strongest from each pot facing each other.

Croatia v Turkey
Portugal v Bosnia
Ireland v Estonia
Czech Rep v Montenegro

[Gustaf]

I will root for Bosnia, Ireland, Montenegro and Croatia.

My prediction is all the top-seeds making it through. The closest game will probably be Croatia v Turkey. The Turks should have a psychological advantage after last Euros...

[Gustaf]

To sum up the qualification campaign so far, I think Germany and Spain clearly stand out as the two strongest teams, with Holland 3rd.

Behind them, Italy seems like the strongest contender (congratulations Phil). France and England will also want payback and, who knows, might get it this time.

If Portugal and Croatia both qualify we could have a couple of hellish groups, since France and Portugal will then both be in the 4th pot, given current rankings. A group could then go something like

Spain
Germany
Croatia
France

[Keystone Phil]

I wanted to watch it live but overslept.    It turned out how I wanted/expected anyway. I wanted to see a Croatia-Turkey rematch while Ireland and Portugal seem to get off easy.

If Portugal and Croatia both qualify we could have a couple of hellish groups, since France and Portugal will then both be in the 4th pot, given current rankings.

I guess it won't be possible to see the group I wanted:

Poland
Italy
France
Ireland


Oh well. I'd settle for being able to face only one of them (France or Ireland) and bring in Sweden or Denmark as a replacement. We owe both a rematch after 2004. 

The countdown to December 2nd (final tournament draw) begins!

[Lief 🗽]

Goddamnit, Ireland's gonna knock out two of my underdog teams now.

[Filuwaúrdjan]

Anyways, lol Rayne Wooney.

[Lief 🗽]

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http://sports.yahoo.com/soccer/blog/dirty-tackle/post/Future-News-Capello-calls-up-8216-Shmayne-Shm?urn=sow-wp5668

[Landslide Lyndon]

Poland
Italy
France
Ireland

Well, here is a group that will make Philadelphia bar owners happy.

[minionofmidas]

That draw went horribly wrong. Basically two matches of Grade A teams vs Grade B teams and two matches of Grade B teams vs Grade C teams.
And bad luck for Bosnia again, who really deserve to qualify some of these days, missing out over the past decade while several weaker European sides got a qualification or even two in edgewise.

Croatia vs Turkey has entertainment potential. Though not with the way Turkey have been playing recently.