Euro 2012 Qualifiers

[Keystone Phil]

Euro 2012 title within Italy's reach after win against Spain - http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/3378/international-friendlies/2011/08/11/2614857/italys-cassano-inspired-win-over-worlds-best-spain-proves


"Make no mistake about it … Italy are becoming contenders again."

Meanwhile, Casillas is being a baby, claiming the game should have ended in a tie because our final goal was lucky and they dominated the second half. Iker must not have been paying attention when we dominated the first half and had many more opportunities, not to mention their very generous awarded penalty.

[republicanism]

Italy has always been a contender.
Throughout the last decades, there were three teams that were always "big ones": Brazil, Italy and Germany.

[Gustaf]

Northern Ireland thrashed Faroe Islands and continued to tip-toe their way towards the Euros. They still have a decent shot at a play-off.

Oh, damn. I forgot that there was a qualifier today. They certainly do have a shot at the playoffs. It should be a nail biter between Slovenia and Northern Ireland. I'm assuming that neither will take points from Italy since both have to play them away and we're on fire now. However, if one of them is able to do so, that should seal their place in the playoffs. I still think Slovenia has the edge but only by a single point.

It might help Northern Ireland, though, that Italy will likely have already qualified by the last game (they should qualify two games from now against Slovenia) and that would mean a far more relaxed style for Italy. We saw how they almost threw away their final qualifier for the 2010 World Cup against Cyprus while at home because they had qualified in the second to last game.

Serbia still has a chance but they finish with two tough matches. I'll say that they're going to finish in fourth.

Remember that Northern Ireland already has tied Italy once. The thing I think speaks in their favour is that they have two games against Estonia left and Estonia is a quite weak team. Serbia should have performed better and might surge at the end, but I think they'll still lose against Italy and that might make things too uphill for them.

[Јas]

I understand Spain losing means the Dutch will become the #1 FIFA ranked team in tomorrow's ranking update.

It's awesome to be the ones to knock them off their perch but...ugh...the Dutch.     It seems a little soon for rankings though. Wasn't there an update about two weeks ago?

Ah, checked that - you're right. The update won't take place until the 24th.
Fairly sure it shouldn't make a difference though as there aren't any relevant fixtures between now and then.

It'll be the first time the Dutch have been the top ranked side.

[Keystone Phil]

Northern Ireland thrashed Faroe Islands and continued to tip-toe their way towards the Euros. They still have a decent shot at a play-off.

Oh, damn. I forgot that there was a qualifier today. They certainly do have a shot at the playoffs. It should be a nail biter between Slovenia and Northern Ireland. I'm assuming that neither will take points from Italy since both have to play them away and we're on fire now. However, if one of them is able to do so, that should seal their place in the playoffs. I still think Slovenia has the edge but only by a single point.

It might help Northern Ireland, though, that Italy will likely have already qualified by the last game (they should qualify two games from now against Slovenia) and that would mean a far more relaxed style for Italy. We saw how they almost threw away their final qualifier for the 2010 World Cup against Cyprus while at home because they had qualified in the second to last game.

Serbia still has a chance but they finish with two tough matches. I'll say that they're going to finish in fourth.

Remember that Northern Ireland already has tied Italy once. The thing I think speaks in their favour is that they have two games against Estonia left and Estonia is a quite weak team. Serbia should have performed better and might surge at the end, but I think they'll still lose against Italy and that might make things too uphill for them.

It was earlier in the qualifiers (we start slower) and in Belfast so their previous draw shouldn't be reason to believe another draw is possible. However, see my other reasoning as to why a draw is possible.

As for Serbia, I actually think we'll tie since we should have qualified by then and we'll be playing in Belgrade which is very, very hostile territory especially for Italy since the previous fixture between the two was infamously called off and awarded as a 3-0 win for us.

[NVGonzalez]

Euro 2012 title within Italy's reach after win against Spain - http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/3378/international-friendlies/2011/08/11/2614857/italys-cassano-inspired-win-over-worlds-best-spain-proves


"Make no mistake about it … Italy are becoming contenders again."

Meanwhile, Casillas is being a baby, claiming the game should have ended in a tie because our final goal was lucky and they dominated the second half. Iker must not have been paying attention when we dominated the first half and had many more opportunities, not to mention their very generous awarded penalty.

Italy seems to be resurrecting after a very horrid World Cup. Looks like I will add them to my contenders list. Congrats Phil!

[Keystone Phil]

Italy seems to be resurrecting after a very horrid World Cup. Looks like I will add them to my contenders list. Congrats Phil!

Good job, smart!

In somewhat European related news, Brazil has apparently cancelled their upcoming Friendlies with Spain and Italy, instead opting for Costa Rica, Egypt and a few others. Sounds like they're in trouble.

[Lief 🗽]

In somewhat European related news, Brazil has apparently cancelled their upcoming Friendlies with Spain and Italy, instead opting for Costa Rica, Egypt and a few others. Sounds like they're in trouble.

Hahah, that's hilarious.

Unfortunately we all know that the Brazil will be good again by the time 2014 comes around and they'll win.

[Keystone Phil]

Unfortunately we all know that the Brazil will be good again by the time 2014 comes around and they'll win.

Yes, they will win like they did in 1998, 2006 and 2010 just as predicted.

[Keystone Phil]

Well, it finally happened - Spain drop out of first place in the FIFA rankings. It sucks that the Dutch are the new top team but at least Spain are out and it was thanks to their loss against Italy. 

http://www.goal.com/en/news/745/fifa/2011/08/24/2633924/netherlands-leapfrog-spain-at-top-of-fifa-rankings

[NVGonzalez]

Well, it finally happened - Spain drop out of first place in the FIFA rankings. It sucks that the Dutch are the new top team but at least Spain are out and it was thanks to their loss against Italy. 

http://www.goal.com/en/news/745/fifa/2011/08/24/2633924/netherlands-leapfrog-spain-at-top-of-fifa-rankings

No love for Germany?

[Keystone Phil]

Well, it finally happened - Spain drop out of first place in the FIFA rankings. It sucks that the Dutch are the new top team but at least Spain are out and it was thanks to their loss against Italy. 

http://www.goal.com/en/news/745/fifa/2011/08/24/2633924/netherlands-leapfrog-spain-at-top-of-fifa-rankings

No love for Germany?

I guess they get points for knocking Brazil down but I'm an Azzurri fan, my friend. I'm not going to have love for Germany. 

[Keystone Phil]

Just two days away from the return of qualifying action! 

Thank God Italy faces Faroe Islands though there's even some concern (or just downplaying expectations so we seem incredible after we win comfortably) that a minnow will keep us from getting three points thanks to the Serie A strike. I don't think anyone has suggested that we'd lose but if we don't get the full three points, it's an embarrassment. I think we'll win but I'm not as optimistic about next week's match against Slovenia. I think we'll get a draw despite playing at home.

[Gustaf]

Sweden plays Hungary. Key, key game. A win there and the chances of getting best runner-up and qualify automatically would be very, very good.

Even with a draw or, God forbid, a loss we should have a good shot at second place in the group, but we would then have to face a play-off. And that's no good, of course.

[Tender Branson]

Austria defeats Germany tomorrow in Gelsenkirchen by 4:1 !!!!!!!

[Franzl]

Austria defeats Germany tomorrow in Gelsenkirchen by 4:1 !!!!!!!

I'll tell you what, I'll put a picture of your choice in my forum signature if that happens

[Tender Branson]

Austria defeats Germany tomorrow in Gelsenkirchen by 4:1 !!!!!!!

I'll tell you what, I'll put a picture of your choice in my forum signature if that happens

ok

[Gustaf]

Austria defeats Germany tomorrow in Gelsenkirchen by 4:1 !!!!!!!

I'll tell you what, I'll put a picture of your choice in my forum signature if that happens

ok

It should be a picture of Joe Republic's choice.

[Keystone Phil]

A win there and the chances of getting best runner-up and qualify automatically would be very, very good.

Sorry to break the bad news but they aren't doing that anymore for the Euros. The group runners up now plays in a two legged playoff round like in World Cup qualifying.

[minionofmidas]

A win there and the chances of getting best runner-up and qualify automatically would be very, very good.

Sorry to break the bad news but they aren't doing that anymore for the Euros. The group runners up now plays in a two legged playoff round like in World Cup qualifying.

Except for the best one. There's 9 groups and 14 places, what can they do?

[Keystone Phil]

A win there and the chances of getting best runner-up and qualify automatically would be very, very good.

Sorry to break the bad news but they aren't doing that anymore for the Euros. The group runners up now plays in a two legged playoff round like in World Cup qualifying.

Except for the best one. There's 9 groups and 14 places, what can they do?

Right 

[Tender Branson]

So, what is my prediction for Germany vs. Austria (starting in 50 minutes) ?

I guess either 3:0 or 4:0 for Germany. But more likely 3:0 ...

[Lief 🗽]

For the first time ever maybe, the highest ranked and lowest ranked FIFA countries will be playing each other today, when the Dutch face poor little San Marino.

[minionofmidas]

Results so far

Israel - Greece 0-1
Lithuania - Liechtenstein 0-0
Finland - Moldova 4-1
Andorra - Armenia 0-3
Azerbaijan - Belgium 1-1 !
and waiting on confirmation that
Russa - Macedonia 1-0
is indeed over.

[Keystone Phil]

For the first time ever maybe, the highest ranked and lowest ranked FIFA countries will be playing each other today, when the Dutch face poor little San Marino.

7-0 for the Dutch, I suppose.

I have a bad feeling that Italy is going to concede its first goal in 2012 qualifying since the 31st minute of the first game. Buffon has conceded a goal in Tórshavn before and we're a little rusty. I think we'll win 2-1.