European Football Thread

[The Man From G.O.P.]

England ties Isreal today


How long until McClaren is booted?

[Јas]

England ties Isreal today


How long until McClaren is booted?

I haven't seen the press reaction today, but I'd suggest (despite the very poor results to date) that he will hold on until the end of this qualification run (or as long as England have a reasonable chance of qualification).

In Dublin, also under pressure Steve Staunton has managed to hold onto his job for another 4 days at least with a lacklustre 1-0 win over a really poor Welsh side, in the first ever soccer international at Croke Park. Going into this weekend, the general media consensus was that Staunton would need to beat both Wales and Slovakia (on Wednesday) to hold on.

[??????????]

Is this a discussion of NFL Europe? Go Rhine Fire!

[afleitch]

Scotland got the 2-1 victory over Georgia they needed. We still sit atop the group but have to face Italy next

[Undisguised Sockpuppet]

Is this a discussion of NFL Europe? Go Rhine Fire!

Lol.

[The Man From G.O.P.]

Scotland got the 2-1 victory over Georgia they needed. We still sit atop the group but have to face Italy next

They look good though, they're taking thier wins when they can, they look good for the long run.

[Ben.]

Scotland will qualify... so might Northern Ireland (if Spain continue to fluff it in their group)... but i dont see England pipping either Russia or Croatia, not under MaClaren, he was noone's pick to replace Sven, just a compromise and to be honest thats only part of the problem, the entire FA is in need of an overhaul... on the plus side failure to qualify will open the door for Wenger. 

[Vincent]

a little off topic..


U.S.A. 3
Ecuador 1

not like it matters, but still

[Gustaf]

England is going to fail to qualify. Sweden on the other hand is looking very good. I'm rooting for Northern Ireland to come with us! Or maybe Denmark. Just as long as Spain gets knocked out, I'll be happy. Too bad they won their last game against Denmark.

[minionofmidas]

England ties Isreal today


How long until McClaren is booted?

I haven't seen the press reaction today, but I'd suggest (despite the very poor results to date) that he will hold on until the end of this qualification run (or as long as England have a reasonable chance of qualification).

About three more games, then?

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I saw the last sixty minutes of that game, then I saw all of Lithuania vs France afterwards. Ireland vs Wales was several times more entertaining than that really lacklustre game.

[kashifsakhan]

McClaren is going to be around until its confirmed that England CANNOT qualify for Euro 2008.

The English FA don't like to look bad. In their delusional minds it would seem like keeping McClaren around until he runs the team into the ground would be a better course of action than admitting that they made the wrong choice and to replace him.

[Ben.]

England is going to fail to qualify. Sweden on the other hand is looking very good. I'm rooting for Northern Ireland to come with us! Or maybe Denmark. Just as long as Spain gets knocked out, I'll be happy. Too bad they won their last game against Denmark.

I'd agree Sweden are flying at the moment, well clear at the top of their group... I'd like to see N.Ireland qualify though, and Spain's form is simply bizzare when you consider the players they have avalible, more so than England IMHO.

[Јas]

England ties Isreal today

How long until McClaren is booted?

I haven't seen the press reaction today, but I'd suggest (despite the very poor results to date) that he will hold on until the end of this qualification run (or as long as England have a reasonable chance of qualification).

About three more games, then?

Well let's takes a look.

Next up, away to Andorra on Wednesday. Well, anything less than 3 points would almost certainly see McClaren resign - but I'll be generous and presume an away win.

Then away to Estonia on 6 June. Estonia are 0 for 4 at the minute so again 3 points to be expected. Again must win game, anything less may lead to a forced resignation.

Their third game isn't until 8 September, at home against Israel in Wembley. On paper should be a comfortable win. In practice, may be anything but. Anything less than a win, would make topping the group exceedingly difficult and coming second a real struggle.

So, McClaren will need at least win, win, draw to survive in the next three. Though if he makes if until the Israel game, I'd imagine he'll still be in charge for the Russia game on 12 September in Wembley. By which point, win, win, win may be enough to let him away with a draw against the Russians, but win, win, draw, would probably require a win against the Russians to hold on.

In Dublin, also under pressure Steve Staunton has managed to hold onto his job for another 4 days at least with a lacklustre 1-0 win over a really poor Welsh side, in the first ever soccer international at Croke Park. Going into this weekend, the general media consensus was that Staunton would need to beat both Wales and Slovakia (on Wednesday) to hold on.

I saw the last sixty minutes of that game, then I saw all of Lithuania vs France afterwards. Ireland vs Wales was several times more entertaining than that really lacklustre game.

Glad I missed it then.

[Tender Branson]

I´m really looking forward to tomorrow's game:

France vs. Austria in Paris

And I have to say that Austria is very, veeerrry baaad when it comes to soccer. The last time we beat France was in 1970, home, in Vienna.

The game Austria vs. Ghana last Saturday was quite OK I think with a 1:1 draw.

But I don´t expect a draw or a win in Paris tomorrow

[Gustaf]

Well, tonight is the night. Tough away game against Northern Ireland, BUT with Zlatan Ibrahimovic back on the team again after his conflict with the coach. If we win this it would take a lot to prevent us from qualifying. So I really hope we do.

[Tender Branson]

France vs. Austria starts in 10 minutes.

I predict a 3:1 win for France. See you later !

[Tender Branson]

France vs. Austria starts in 10 minutes.

I predict a 3:1 win for France. See you later !

1:0 for France. I´ve seen worse games by Austria though. We just lost because of a bad mistake in the defense

The surprise was Denmark beating Germany 1:0, even if it was their B-Team

[Јas]

Ireland 1-0 Slovakia

Much better performance than the last few games. Keeps a tiny little bit of hope alive for qualification.

N Ireland 2-1 Sweden

Amazing first goal by Healy.
Amazing result.
NI top of the group with some serious teams in it.
Lawrie Sanchez is a miracle worker.

Andorra 0-3 England
As a result, in and of itself, no surprise. But the first half efforts of England were awful. Really awful. Luckily for them Mr. Gerrard played very well int he second half.

[Gustaf]

N Ireland 2-1 Sweden

Amazing first goal by Healy.
Amazing result.
NI top of the group with some serious teams in it.
Lawrie Sanchez is a miracle worker.

Terrible, terrible. Still, we have one game less played than Northern Ireland, so there is still hope. But the group is becoming a real rat hole now with Spain and Denmark creeping closer and closer. If we can tie Denmark in the away game and beat Iceland in the home game in June I think we still have a very good chance though.

[minionofmidas]

Ireland 1-0 Slovakia

Much better performance than the last few games. Keeps a tiny little bit of hope alive for qualification.

N Ireland 2-1 Sweden

Amazing first goal by Healy.
Amazing result.
NI top of the group with some serious teams in it.
Lawrie Sanchez is a miracle worker.

Amazing second goal by Healy. You forgot to mention that.

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I sort of went through all the groups and predicted who'd come through, based on standings so far, and then noticed with a shock that I had just predicted a Euro without British Isles participation... after two very close calls against British teams (plus two more who still have a decent chance) ... but the really shocking part is, the second most likely scenario is that the British Isles will be represented by Northern Ireland only.

[The Man From G.O.P.]

Absolutely brilliant play by Liverpool and especially Crouch, he hasn't looked that good in a very long time, perhaps he should break his nose more often.

[Gustaf]

Ireland 1-0 Slovakia

Much better performance than the last few games. Keeps a tiny little bit of hope alive for qualification.

N Ireland 2-1 Sweden

Amazing first goal by Healy.
Amazing result.
NI top of the group with some serious teams in it.
Lawrie Sanchez is a miracle worker.

Amazing second goal by Healy. You forgot to mention that.

You must be logged in to read this quote.

I sort of went through all the groups and predicted who'd come through, based on standings so far, and then noticed with a shock that I had just predicted a Euro without British Isles participation... after two very close calls against British teams (plus two more who still have a decent chance) ... but the really shocking part is, the second most likely scenario is that the British Isles will be represented by Northern Ireland only.

I agree 100%. I right now think it is more likely for Northern Ireland than for England to reach the EC.

[Tender Branson]

Today 2 Champions League Quarter Finals:

AC Milan (ITA) vs. Bayern Munich (GER)

PSV Eindhoven (NLD) vs. Liverpool (ENG)

Any predicitions ?

My predicition: Milan wins 2:1 and Liverpool wins 2:0

[minionofmidas]

Looks pretty good.

[Tender Branson]

Today:

AS Roma (ITA) vs. Manchester United (SCO)

Chelsea (NIR) vs. Valencia (ESP)

My Prediction:

1st game = draw (1:1)

2nd game = Valencia wins 2:1