Euro 2012 Qualifiers

[Keystone Phil]

If you look at the German line-up against Austria the majority was younger than 25 (8/11). In Italy's last game only 2 were (and none below 23). The vast majority in Italy is still close to 30 which makes the team pretty old, albeit not by Italian standards.

Close to 30, sure, but we only have two starters that are actually at or older than 30 (I don't even want to count Buffon in that since he's in goal and age isn't much of a factor for him/keepers last much longer in this game).

To nit pick, there definitely was a player (though not a starter) that was under 23 in our last game: Balotelli. He didn't come in until the very end though.

I think the average age on the team is somewhere in the mid 20s and that's not old by Italian standards. This squad is likely younger, on average, than the 2006 team and that's good enough for me.

Yeah, I was talking of the starting line-up, so I didn't count Balotelli. And of course Buffon is fine. Still, it's a fairly old squad. Not too old for the Euros, sure, but next World Cup still looks a bit grim to me, since a large part of the current starters will be 30+ by then.

Prandelli is still experimenting with younger players. We'll probably see a few of them in the remaining qualifiers and Friendlies since we've already qualified.

[Keystone Phil]

Younger players being 27-year olds?

25-27 year olds, yes. 

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Sure but if I had to pick a top four, I would honestly say that Italy rounds out that group. I like how things are being set up. It reminds me of 2006: a very disappointing previous tournament, a domestic league scandal and strong skepticism from the rest of the world about our chances despite improvement.

[Keystone Phil]

We're back in less than 24 hours!

Italy vs. Serbia should be interesting. Let's see how the Serbian fans act. Here's hoping they don't act the way they did during the Genoa (suspended) match...though I wouldn't mind getting an automatic 3-0 win by virtue of their forfeit.

There are some really good games tomorrow with a few teams able to book their spots in either the final tournament or the playoff round. Since Italy is already through as group winners, I'm probably more interested in what happens in several other groups. I'm really interested in seeing if Spain defeat the Czech Republic. If so, Scotland has a real shot at qualifying for the playoff round. Of course, that means Scotland will have to win or draw against Spain next week or, if they lose, they'll have to rely on the Czechs falling apart against Lithuania.

Greece vs. Croatia should be good, too. And let's not forget about the drama in Group B (Russia, Ireland, Armenia and Slovakia).

[Keystone Phil]

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.

[Keystone Phil]

Turkey needs to lose, Belgium needs to win.

Agreed.

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Russia should still win in Slovakia since the latter has seemed to collapse. Ireland will beat Andorra. Even a poor performance gets teams a win there.

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My feelings on the group are weird. I don't want to see Northern Ireland nor Estonia get through but it would be interesting. I won't be rooting for the runner up from this group in their playoff anyway (unless they're stuck playing teams like Bosnia or Armenia). That means I want Serbia but obviously don't want them to beat us or get a draw tomorrow tomorrow. I can root for Slovenia for the second spot, too, but if we draw with Serbia, it eliminates Slovenia.

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They don't have to. Scotland will beat Liechtenstein on Saturday. If Spain beats the Czechs, that puts Scotland a point ahead. If Scotland then draws against Spain, Czech Republic must beat Lithuania. A draw doesn't do them any good. Yeah, I guess a win is likely to happen but not a slam dunk since they're not that great anymore and are playing away. Hell, if Scotland loses to Spain and the Czechs only muster a point against Lithuania, Scotland can still go through.

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Iceland isn't beating them at home. Not now at least. Yeah, Cyprus found a way to tie them 4-4 in the opening game for both countries but that was a different time. Portugal has their act together. Norway is likely finished. I think the only way they can qualify for a playoff spot (barring big upsets in tomorrow's games) is on goal difference and they must see someone lose the final group game between Portugal and Denmark.

[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?  

[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.

[Keystone Phil]

Sweden should hang on at this point.

[Keystone Phil]

Ok, let's see if we can keep our clean sheet streak going (though I'm not that optimistic)...

[Keystone Phil]

Already 1-0 Italia after Serbia almost scored! Marchisio's first goal! Wow!

[Keystone Phil]

Already 1-0 Italia after Serbia almost scored! Marchisio's first goal! Wow!

...actually it was Cassano. Damn.

[Keystone Phil]

Now they're saying it was Marchisio. Is it to hard to review the replay, people?

Anyway, Spain scored very early against the Czech Republic. Surprisingly, the Dutch haven't netted any goals against Moldova and they're in the 33rd minute.

[Keystone Phil]

Serbia breaks our clean sheet streak. Damn.    Still, only two goals after nine games isn't bad. Let's make sure they don't get anymore, boys!

[Keystone Phil]

Poor Switzerland. I wish I could have seen that amazing Montenegro finish though. Slovakia and Slovenia are out, too.

I think Ireland will beat or tie Armenia next week in what ought to be a great game. Serbia will have a tougher time because they need all three points away from home with Slovenia trying to be spoiler. I think the Serbs will eek it out though. France should beat Bosnia.

With Portugal almost blowing this game against Iceland, I don't know what's going to happen in their final game. Denmark should be thrilled.

[Keystone Phil]

Scotland up 1-0 at the half. They better pop in a goal or two more. Liechtenstein has pulled off some surprises this qualifying campaign...

[Keystone Phil]

Scotland wins. It all comes down to Tuesday's action. The Czechs have to be a little nervous.

[Keystone Phil]

Just an observation going into the final day of the Group stage: while I support Belgium for the runner up spot and don't want to see Armenia get through Group B, the former has to be the least deserving team in contention for a playoff spot while the latter is probably to most deserving. Belgium has screwed up so many matches late in the game, either losing or drawing, that they should have won or at least tied while Armenia has put up a great fight to possibly make it through a tough group. Their performance has been really surprising.

If current play is any indication, I'm willing to bet that Armenia will be the team to watch in the 2014 World Cup qualifiers in Group B (Italy's group). Denmark and Armenia will probably be the teams battling it out for second place. Hell, the latter might even give my guys a scare.

I'll also admit to Gustaf that it looks like I underestimated Bosnia.   I still think France will beat them on Tuesday and they'll lose in the playoff round but they put on a great campaign.

[Keystone Phil]

Just an observation going into the final day of the Group stage: while I support Belgium for the runner up spot and don't want to see Armenia get through Group B, the former has to be the least deserving team in contention for a playoff spot while the latter is probably to most deserving.

If you think Armenia is the most deserving team to go through, why don't you want them to?

Because he doesn't like it if small teams set up the established order. *shrugs*

Bingo. 

Plus, I want Ireland to go through even though they aren't part of the "established order." I want Italy to face Trapattoni during the tournament and finally get a win. The Italy-Ireland rivalry would be fun for me amongst some of my friends.

[Keystone Phil]

I don't remember how they do the play-offs: Are the 8 teams casted free against each other, or are some teams seeded?

The four teams with the best UEFA coefficient ranking will be seeded.

[Keystone Phil]

Ireland's been playing horribly, while Armenia has displayed some nice, exciting attacking football (they've scored almost as many goals as Russia and Ireland combined). Neither team obviously has much of a chance at the actual tournament, so let's at least have the one that isn't playing like crap get through.

I haven't seen the Ireland games but the results aren't horrible. They drew against Russia and Slovakia in September when things were very tense between the three teams at the top of the group. Maybe they were too cautious but I reserve the "horrible" label for teams that lose or draw (or even barely win) when they are supposed to win comfortably or at least tie.

In my opinion, Slovakia gets the "horrible" label. Talk about a collapse.

[Keystone Phil]

We're not getting defeated by Belgium at home...

You don't need to be for Belgium to progress as long as Turkey loses or draws against Azerbaijan.   Let's remember that Azerbaijan did beat Turkey in this campaign. Unfortunately for those that want to see Belgium move on, I wouldn't be too hopeful that there will be a repeat even though Turkey has been less than impressive lately.

So, Scotland have to beat Spain, or failing that have Lithuania beat the Czech Republic to finish second and get through to the playoffs. Won't happen. Ah well.

Have a little faith, my friend. Lithuania is playing at home and their only victory thus far was away against the Czechs. They can certainly at least get a tie. If that happens, you guys just have to find the additional push to at least get a draw. It would be terrible if the Czechs only walk away with a point, Scotland loses and you're eliminated because of your head-to-head record.

Conceding that last minute penalty to the Czechs in September is what might kill you guys. In fact, if it wasn't for that, you guys would have qualified for that runner up spot already.

[Keystone Phil]

Ireland now up 1-0. Same for Denmark. Portugal could be in trouble...

Sweden up 1-0 now, too!

[Keystone Phil]

And Croatia up 2-0, you forgot that one.

Just saw that. Looks like Croatia is taking the group.

[Keystone Phil]

And Croatia up 2-0, you forgot that one.

Just saw that. Looks like Croatia is taking the group.

Greece have just equalized. I think that's them back on top, right?

Wow! What drama! Yep, they're back on top because of head-to-head.

[Keystone Phil]

Greece up 2-1 now. Talk about a tease for Croatia.