Well Shamrock Rovers acquitted themselves well thats for sure. Taking the lead, wow. Theres hope yet, when I say hope I think they could be capable of taking a point from someone in one of the remaining games. Maybe against PAOK? We shall see, but they did well tonight in fairness.
Tough loss for the Everton. They held Liverpool until about the 72' minute. Both Manchester teams held scoreless at the half.
Let's go Koeln... 3 in a row! -------------------------------- Yikes, there getting it handed to them in the 1st half. Let Berlin have 2 goals by leaving them wide open on the goal line. Eichner and McKenna are sucking wind today.
International soccer next weekend. Important Euro 2012 Qualifying matches: A. Turkey vs Germany - Germany hs qualified, Turkey currently 2nd in group but needs more pts to advance. A. Belgium vs Khazakhstan - Belgium can slip ahead with a Turk loss. B. Slovakia vs Russia - A Russian victory here would essentially clinch a spot to move to the next round. B. Andorra vs Rep. of Ireland - Ireland has a good chance to qualify with wins in its final 2 games. D. France vs Albania - France and Bosnia fighting to clinch the group D. Bosnia and Herzegovina vs Luxembourg E. Finland vs Sweeden - Netherlands has clinched. Sweeden probably needs a win to advance. F. Greece vs Croatia - These 2 teams battling for 1st in the group.
A draw may be sufficient for Russia in this one, as assuming they beat Andorra in their last game, the worst they can therefore finish is level on points with The Republic Ireland, and as they have beaten and drawn with the Irish they would take the group on the head to head basis.
I was assuming a win for Russia over a bad Andorra squad, but I was thinking the tiebreaker would be goal differential as opposed to head to head. You could be right about that, but I thought it would be goal differential, I'll look into it. Right now, Russia has a GD of +6, and Ireland is +5.
Yes, heres what I am hoping happens on Friday night. The Republic win easy over Andorra, Slovakia beat Russia. If that happens then the Republic go into the last round of matches knowing a win at home to Armenia secures them first place in the group and qualification for the finals in 2012. Our last appearance in a major championship finals was World Cup 2002, and before that USA 94, so we have not had a huge amount to cheer about these past 16-17 years. Our country is in a mess at the moment economically, we need a lift and the soccer team qualifying would be a start.
I think with the amount of pts you will have over a victory over Andorra, even if you finish 2nd in the group, I believe you will advance, but I know it will be better to finish first. I think both Russia and Ireland advance.
Big night tonight all over europe with many Euro 2012 places still up for grabs. Our man Trappatoni has opted for the safe option again, Glenn Whelan and Keith Andrews in midfield, two of the most defensive , uncreative midfielders you are ever likely to see. I was hoping on account of the fact they are playing Andorra, he would open it up a little. Game is on in the National Stadium in Andorra, capacity only 850. Apparently about 2-3000 Irish Supporters made the trip in the hope the game would be held in the mini nou camp in Barcelona, but UEFA said no. So theres going to be a lot of Irish in the bars in Barcelona tonight watching the game.
Ya, I could see how FIFA wouldn't allow that. Andorra's one of those odd smaller countries tucked out of nowhere, kind of like San Marino.
FC Enitracht Bamberg 5; TSV Buchbach 2. Bamberg climbs to 7th place in the bayernliga. Way to go Smokey Biers.
Republic of Ire 2 Andorra nil. Russia have the group wrapped up barring a mishap at home to Andorra. Republic just need a draw at home to Armenia on Tuesday to get the play off spot.
I've been reading the regulations but am misunderstanding something. There are 2 host nations: Poland and Ukraine that get auto spots. There are 9 groups and the winner of each group advances. That's 9 spots, leaving only 5 more. I thought the 5 best 2nd place teams advance (weighted avg of the groups with 5 teams as opposed to 6 teams). How are the playoffs going to work to determine the final 5 spots?
Klinsmann gets his first victory as head coach of the US Mens team with a 1-0 win in a friendly over Honduras. Should have been 2-0, but Dempsey's 2nd goal was disallowed for no good reason.
The nine group winners plus the group runner-up with the best record qualify for the finals. The remaining eight group runners-up play off in 4 play off games. I believe the best runner up is determined by points taken againt the top four teams in the group ( I think). Sweden will qualify as the best runner up if they manage to beat Holland on Tuesday. If they dont then I think the runner up in the Portugal/Denmark group may take the spot.
Ok, that makes more sense. Wow, I wonder how they will draw for the playoff spots for the final 8 teams?
WOW, Mesit Özil with an absolute rocket putting Germany up 1-0. Germany, already qualified for Euro 2012 with a win today will have swept their group, something not accomplished in quite some time. ------------------- Another goal for Germany... now up 2-0 in the first half. This team is loaded. ------------------- Russia already up 1-0 over Andorra. Ireland and Armenia tied at 0-0
Ukraine and Poland (Hosts), Germany, Russia, Italy, France, Netherlands, Greece, England, Denmark, Spain and Sweeden (best runner up) are in. Of the 4 spots left, 8 teams will play in a 4-game playoff to determine the final 4 teams in the tournament. Turkey, Ireland, Estonia, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Croatia, Montenegro, Portugal and the Czech Republic are the 8 teams involved in the playoffs with the draw to be held on Thursday. Will be interesting to see the draw, but I imagine Turkey, Ireland, Croatia, and Portugal have the best chance to be the final 4 teams.
Awful performance by Rep of Ireland against Armenia, but they are in playoffs. Seeded teams for the playoffs are Rep Ireland, Croatia, Portugal and The Czech Republic. Draw being made tomorrow. Personally I think all the seeded teams will want Estonia, if not Estonia then Montenegro.
