Euro 2012 Qualifiers

[GMantis]

Several funny results yesterday.

Yes, Bulgaria finally won a match

[GMantis]

Several funny results yesterday.

Yes, Bulgaria finally won a match

Are now all Bulgarians Lothar Mathäus fans?

While it would take a qualification to the EU for this to happen, he seems well liked, for now. Though our players are complaining that his training is too exhausting. Apparently Mathäus has learned two Bulgarian words: "again" and "quickly"

Egad? You ended up actually hiring the creep!?

Why is he a creep?

[GMantis]

Hm, Estonia loses 0-1 due to an own goal by a Russian? One might almost wonder whether this was an accident

[GMantis]

Hm, Estonia loses 0-1 due to an own goal by a Russian? One might almost wonder whether this was an accident

Huh? Estonia isn't in Russia's group. 

Russians in Estonia have not treated very well after 1991, so that's why I suggested (not very seriously) that it might not have been an accident. Of course, if he's a member of their team, he's probably well integrated, so this is very unlikely, but it's still rather ironic.

[GMantis]

By the way, Germany already officially qualified. 

Not yet

Rooney was complaining that the field in Bulgaria was bad. It can't be that horrible since England went up 1-0 in the 13th minute.

Hungary just scored against Gustaf's boys. If that stands, life is going to get a little more difficult for Sweden despite having a game in hand since Hungary finishes up with easier games.

Nor did it stop him from scoring in the 21st minute

[GMantis]

I'm a whole-hearted Austria fan tonight.

Thanks for the mercy ...

If Austria somehow wins, I eat a Besen.

If Germany qualifies (as seems likely in several minutes), is there any chance of an old style unspoken agreement ala 1982 between them and Austria

[GMantis]

I'm a whole-hearted Austria fan tonight.

Thanks for the mercy ...

If Austria somehow wins, I eat a Besen.

If Germany qualifies (as seems likely in several minutes), is there any chance of an old style unspoken agreement ala 1982 between them and Austria

What happened then ? I´m not familiar with 1982 football ...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1982_FIFA_World_Cup#First_round
The analogy seems clear, but this time the victim would deserve it

Edit: Well, probably it won't happen...

[GMantis]

The German qualification will be slightly delayed due to Turkey's 90' winning goal

[GMantis]

Congratulations to Germany for being the first country (apart from the hosts) to qualify for the European championship.

[GMantis]

Of course I'm also at least semi-hoping for Denmark to upset Norway and allow Sweden a new shot at that best runner-up. In a similar vein I'm cheering for Israel against Croatia as well.

Turkey not defeating Austria would also help

[GMantis]

I wonder what language the Belgium players speak to each other during games...

They normally speak both languages, but I guess they just talk in their native language.

Probably the same with the Switzerland players, probably.

[GMantis]

2-0 to the Dutch. Game over. They have officially qualified.

Not exactly. Were they to lose their remaining two games and Sweden to win their last three, they could finish second.

[GMantis]

Faroe Islands managed a goal against Serbia in Belgrade!

2-0 to the Dutch. Game over. They have officially qualified.

Not exactly. Were they to lose their remaining two games and Sweden to win their last three, they could finish second.

Interesting. Other sources made it seem like they could qualify as group winners today.

Yes. If Sweden doesn't defeat San Marino

[GMantis]

Now it has become a very boring match ...

And I thought you were talking about Sweden - San Marino

[GMantis]

Armenia has totally demolished Slovakia; good news for Russia and Ireland.

[GMantis]

Meanwhile, Switzerland defeated Bulgaria 3:1

Ugh. At least they managed to score a goal now. Though it would probably have finished better if one of the Bulgarian players wasn't sent off for a thought up foul.

[GMantis]

Italy officially qualifies for Euro 2012 as group winners!

Congratulations! But the Netherlands beat you by a few minutes

[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.

[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.

[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.

[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.

[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

[GMantis]

Germany's taken the lead!

[GMantis]

Denmark's taken a 4-0 lead.