Euro 2012 Qualifiers

[republicanism]

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

[republicanism]

Still 0:0 in Moscow. Go Ireland!

[republicanism]

And its over.

Now its Russia 17, Ireland 15, Slovakia 14.
Slovakia has one more game left, but they still have to go to Russia, while Russia and Ireland are allowed to beat Andorra once again.

Pretty nice position for Ireland now. It is in there own hands to ensure place two, and place one is not impossible at all.

[republicanism]

Best result for Ireland would be a draw of course.

In group E, Netherlands can technically qualify now if they beat Finland.
And Hungary plays Moldova half an hour from now. I guess I'll cross my fingers for Moldova, since I'd like to see Sweden in the Euros.

[republicanism]

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

Anyways, the whole qualification went pretty good for the teams I like. Two Scandinavians in the playoffs (or Denmark qualifies directly), Ireland should make it in the playoffs, Scotland with an outside chance.

[republicanism]

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.

Ah, it's a shame. So no chance for France vs. Portugal in the playoffs

[republicanism]

Great results. Denmark and Sweden qualified, Ireland in the playoffs, Portugal not yet qualified.

Looking at the UEFA rankings, Portugal, Czech Republic, Croatia and Turkey are seeded in the playoffs. What would be best for Ireland? The Czech I guess. Or Turkey, their strength is very unsteady.

[republicanism]

Great results. Denmark and Sweden qualified, Ireland in the playoffs, Portugal not yet qualified.

Looking at the UEFA rankings, Portugal, Czech Republic, Croatia and Turkey are seeded in the playoffs. What would be best for Ireland? The Czech I guess. Or Turkey, their strength is very unsteady.

These rankings are out of date. Here are the rankings after yesterday's match:
http://www.world-results.net/uefa/ranking.html#2011

Oh thanks for correcting me GMantis. UEFA unpredictable as ever.
So Ireland is seeded instead of Turkey, that's a nice surprise. I'll hold my fingers crossed that they get Estonia or Montenegro tomorrow.

Btw is the controversial scene with Cox' handball-or-no-handball online somewhere? Haven't seen it yet, and nothing on youtube.

[republicanism]

Btw is the controversial scene with Cox' handball-or-no-handball online somewhere? Haven't seen it yet, and nothing on youtube.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=CdD8QiUBtmk

Thanks! Yeah it looks pretty much like a handball. But no Henry-material.

[republicanism]

Yay Ireland!

[republicanism]

Quite frankly, I wouldn't care if Germany won.

But I would, especially in the political atmosphere of the day.
Germany should drop out in disgrace early in the tournament.

Of course they wouldn't, they will probably win the tournament or at least come second.

[republicanism]

For the record I never supported the German national squad.

But this time, they really deserve to loose. It would by great if they lost against Greese (unlikely) or perhaps Italy (more likely).

[republicanism]

My friends, I never supported our national team. Can't tell you why.

It started when I was a little guy in 1996 and I just loved the England team, because of their wonderful gray jerseys, because of Shearer, Gascoigne, Seaman: Just great. The Germans couldn't offer me anything like that. And it didn't change.