Euro 2012 Qualifiers

[Lief 🗽]

The Czechs actually lost to Lithuania at home at the very beginning (can't believe I forgot, I was watching the game on Czech TV at the time!) so yeah, beating Lithuania isn't assured, you're right.

[ZuWo]

I'm also cheering on Montenegro to make it out in 2nd place. Not that I think they will though.

It would be quite an accomplishment if they got the second spot but I want the Swiss to qualify. I think England will beat Montenegro (but it should be a tough game) and Switzerland will win against Wales, setting up a decisive final game which the Swiss will take at home.

Absolutely. There are two tough matches ahead of the Swiss team but I think they can do it. While the Swiss have played better and better recently the Montenegro squad appears to have faltered.

[GMantis]

Seems like most of my favored teams have a chance to make at least the play-offs.

In Group A, I agree with what has been said about Turkey and Belgium.

In group B, Russia is very likely to qualify directly and Armenia has a chance, given the rather erratic display of Ireland. And playing for a draw often doesn't turn out well.

In group C, I'm not quite sure to back. Normally, I wouldn't support Estonia in anything, but their football team seems to be actually represent the country, so I'm considering backing them instead of the Serbs (though it's always nice to see an over-fancied big Western European team brought down by a Balkan country).

Apologies to Gustaf, but I would really like to see Hungary qualify to a tournament after 25 years. So I'll be rooting for Finland. And it shouldn't be that hard to get at least a draw, considering that Sweden needed numerical advantage to defeat San Marino

In group F, Greece seems to have improved lately, so they definitely have a chance to win against Croatia at home.

In group G, I'm rooting for Montenegro to overtake England But they are wisely concentrating on the last match with Switzerland, so they're still with a chance to reach the play-offs.

Don't really care about any team in group H, though I'll note that if Portugal and Denmark win their games today, they would then have a very good chance to qualify directly with a draw between them in the last game.

In group I, my sympathies are split. Scotland is one of the teams one just can't help but root for, but on the other hand they still have that dreadful coach who supports the 4-6-0 system, while the Czechs really deserve to reach the European championship with their great team.

[Gustaf]

Sweden v Finland is about to kick off.

Reminder to everyone: teams finishing on equal points will be ranked on head-to-head record before anything else. Might be important in a number of groups.

Also, I think Denmark are favourites to take best runner-up. If they beat Cyprus on Tuesday they will likely get it.

[Tender Branson]

Austria vs. Aserbaidschan is already in the 25th minute.

It's still 0:0

[Gustaf]

So far we suck. Finland was very close to scoring.

[Gustaf]

Ok, scratch that.

[Tender Branson]

Red card now for Aserbaidschan in the 27th minute because one of their defenders clearly fouled an Austrian striker slightly ahead of the goalkeeper area. Free kick now.

[Tender Branson]

1:0 for Austria now

The Azeris are now definitely feeling the pressure with only 10 men on the field.

[GMantis]

Saw parts of the Armenia-Macedonia match. Armenia played a nice attacking style of football (though their midfield was not entirely convincing) and would have won by even more if the referee didn't make several inaccurate decisions in favor of Macedonia. Ireland would be wise not to underestimate them.

[Tender Branson]

It's 2:0 for Austria now in the 50th minute.

[Tender Branson]

Other good games later today:

Turkey vs. Germany
Serbia vs. Italy
Spain vs. Czech Republic

[Tender Branson]

60th minute now, Austria now leading 3:0 !

[Tender Branson]

Azerbaijan now falling apart literally, almost 4:0

[Keystone Phil]

Today is the feast of Our Lady of the Rosary. The supposed purpose according to a friend of mine is to thank God for the victory of the Christians over the Turks. Sign of a Germany win?  

[Tender Branson]

Today is the feast of Our Lady of the Rosary. The supposed purpose according to a friend of mine is to thank God for the victory of the Christians over the Turks. Sign of a Germany win?  

If the Austria vs. Azerbaijan game is an early indicator, the Christians are currently leading the Muslims ...

[GMantis]

60th minute now, Austria now leading 3:0 !

If Azerbaijan finishes last, Turkey might qualify directly (if they defeat Germany, of course). Considering the close connection between the two, this raises interesting speculations
Of course most likely Azerbaijan are just playing really badly.

[Keystone Phil]

Wow. Armenia is for real. A 4-1 thrashing of Macedonia. It's going to be an interesting final day in Group B next week.

[GMantis]

Today is the feast of Our Lady of the Rosary. The supposed purpose according to a friend of mine is to thank God for the victory of the Christians over the Turks. Sign of a Germany win?  

If the Austria vs. Azerbaijan game is an early indicator, the Christians are currently leading the Muslims ...

This raises a question: Is Bosnia a Muslim or a Christian country.

[Tender Branson]

Today is the feast of Our Lady of the Rosary. The supposed purpose according to a friend of mine is to thank God for the victory of the Christians over the Turks. Sign of a Germany win?  

If the Austria vs. Azerbaijan game is an early indicator, the Christians are currently leading the Muslims ...

This raises a question: Is Bosnia a Muslim or a Christian country.

Good question: There's been no Census there for about 30 years.

[Tender Branson]

Azerbaijan has now scored.

3:1

[Tender Branson]

4:1 Austria now, with a few minutes to go.

[Tender Branson]

Game over. Austria wins 4:1 against Azerbaijan.

Now on to watch Germany vs. Turkey.

[GMantis]

Finland has reduced Sweden's lead and there are still 13 minutes left...

[GMantis]

Today is the feast of Our Lady of the Rosary. The supposed purpose according to a friend of mine is to thank God for the victory of the Christians over the Turks. Sign of a Germany win?  

If the Austria vs. Azerbaijan game is an early indicator, the Christians are currently leading the Muslims ...

This raises a question: Is Bosnia a Muslim or a Christian country.

Good question: There's been no Census there for about 30 years.

Regardless of that, most of their players seem to be Muslims, so no surprises if Luxembourg wins