Ireland, Czech Republic, Croatia & Portugal Through to EURO 2012!

So after a year of qualifiers, we now have our 16 teams at next year's European Championships.

In the end the second leg was quite anticlimactic after the results in the first leg although Bosnia did threaten to cause a boil over against Portugal.

So here are the teams going to the Euros in Poland & Ukraine next year:

Poland, Ukraine, Germany, Spain, Italy, Netherlands, England, Denmark, France, Russia, Sweden, Greece, Ireland, Croatia, Czech Republic, Portugal.

All the big football powers in Europe are pretty much there. Should be a beauty.

Ireland! Ireland! Ireland! Ireland! - EURO 2012 Playoffs Round 1

It started slowly but in the end we saw quite a few goals and a few good old-fashioned spankings in the first leg of EURO 2012 playoff action.

And who would have thought Ireland would be one of those delivering the spanking? 4-0 it's just finished in Tallinn - quite a superb display of counter-attacking football from Trappatoni's men in green. Once they got the early goal, Ireland looked in control despite continual pressure from the hosts. They were aided by the sending of Estonia's two most experienced players, Stepanov and Piiroja - both got two yellows each. But no one would begrudge Ireland their victory on the night and a probable place in EURO 2012 - as well as a huge party in Dublin on Wednesday.

Well done Ireland - expect a green invasion of Poland and Ukraine next year too.

And it looks like they'll be joined by Croatia and the Czech Republic next year in Poland and Ukraine. Croatia got the other convincing result on the night in Turkey - a 3-0 win - while the Czechs beat Montenegro 2-0 in Prague.


On the other hand, Portugal will have it all to do at home next week against Bosnia. They got away with a 0-0 draw and that's the minimum result Ronaldo's men would have wanted.






So all but one of Wednesday morning's ties will pretty much be celebratory.

Anyway here are the highlights:
 

EURO 2012 Playoffs Preview

Capt. Ronaldo is hoping to lead Portugal into EURO 2014

The last 4 spots are up for grabs this weekend and next Wednesday at next year's big football tournament.

8 countries will battle it out home and away to book their tickets to Poland and Ukraine next summer.

Just to recap:

Croatia's Bolt-on striker, Ivan Klasnic

This Friday, 11 November 2011 (+12 hours for New Zealand time):
Turkey v Croatia
Estonia v Republic of Ireland
Czech Republic v Montenegro
Bosnia v Portugal

Tuesday, 15 November 2011 - reversal of the above fixtures.

Turkey v Croatia is probably the toughest to pick but at this stage, even the top seeds aren't guaranteed victory - remember Russia being knocked out by little Slovenia for a spot in the last World Cup? I think Latvia did something similar too in qualifying for EURO 2004.

My tips: Croatia to nick it just because they have slightly better players - Turkey were well behind Germany in their pool. The Czechs and Portuguese should do it despite missing quite a few big players and finally, for my Irish friends, I think Ireland might finally break their long tournament drought.

Time for some Irish magic at a football tournament again.

UEFA EURO 2012 Playoff Round Draw

And the draw is....

Turkey v Croatia
Estonia v Ireland
Montenegro v Czech Republic
Bosnia v Portugal

NB: This will be the order of matches for the 1st leg.

Terrific result for Ireland - although it means now they'll have to cope with the favourites tag which they don't usually do well with.

Croatia will be difficult to separate from Turkey too.

EURO 2012 Qualifiers

The round robin phase of EURO 2012 qualifiers concluded in quite exciting fashion this morning New Zealand time. Here were some key results:

France 1-1 Bosnia-Herzegovina
- Edin Dzeko's wonder goal was cancelled out by a controversial 2nd half penalty put away by Samir Nasri. The penalty earned France a point and was enough to see them automatically qualify for EURO 2012 while Bosnia enter the playoffs.

Republic of Ireland 2-1 Armenia
- An unfortunate own goal helps the plucky Irish to another playoff series. Anything is possible now.


Spain 3-1 Scotland/Lithuania 1-3 Czech Republic
- Both games had the same scoring sequence. 3 goals in the first half, then 1 consolation to the other half in the second half. The outcome: Czechs in the playoffs, Scotland are out (yawn) again.

Sweden 3-2 Netherlands/Denmark 2-1 Portugal
- Magic night for the Scandinavian powerhouses who booked their places in EURO 2012 with the games of the night.

Finally, Slovenia 1-0 Serbia
- Serbia choked and surrender Estonia their ticket to the playoffs.

I note that the FIFA World Rankings are currently dominated by UEFA sides with Uruguay propping up the top 4. Spain are on top and probably deservedly so. They are easily the best football team in the world IMO, have most of the best players in the world and really should defend their European title easily. Is it any surprise that Barcelona, home club for most of the Spanish national team, are also doing it quite easily on the club scene?

Germany and the Netherlands should be Spain's closest rivals next year as they are similar in ethos - they believe in youth, keeping the ball with a skilful, pleasing-to-the-eye passing game and have had the same coach for the last 4 years. The Dutch tried the physical approach in the World Cup final and still failed to beat the Spanish, so ultimately, Spain's giant killers will not be kicking their players in the chest ala Nigel de Jong.

In reality, no one quite knows how to take down this Spanish team in a competitive setting. They're still very much in full flow and the dominant force in football. However, if you have an idea, let the German and Dutch FAs know. Mind you, I'm enjoying every moment of this Spanish football dominance. They are a joy to watch and long may it last.

And by hook or crook, I'll be in Poland/Ukraine hopefully to watch these maestros do their work.