The Euro 2016 qualifiers thread

[Sleighty]

Despite Rooneys misses I think our two most technically gifted players were the two that won it in the end in him and Wilshere.

Don't get some of the flack Wilshere gets, if he can go a year without getting an injury he can go on to be a cracking player.

Still not sure why Walcott and Clyne did not start though.

 

[Super_horns]

A game worth watching and I miss it!

 

[mistermagic]

Wasn't that good. Was dozing off before Slovenia's first. Without Wilshere, it would have been a boring 0-1 defeat for England.

 

[Abertawe]

They've a long way to go before they can even dare think about challenging the top teams, they'd get torn apart by Wales for example.

 

[Glasshalffullpools]

As much as the table doesn't lie , it has disguised a few things......... anyone who thinks we can turn up at a tournament with that defence is deluded..... first time i can remember so many forward options and so few defensive ones

 

[smat]

Funny that we look good going forward but dodgy at the back, given that life under Hodgson was supposed to be the exact opposite.

 

[CFC91]

Defensively we are poor. Clyne and Jagielka arguably should have started ahead of Jones and Smalling. Hopefully Stones has a cracking season and get in the starting 11 coming enxt summer.

Disappointed I didn't go now, made the wrong choice going to Ireland the week before.

 

[mnb089mnb]

I do enjoy Wales Brought To You By Vauxhall's brand of football. In Gareth Bale Insignia Concept 2008 they possess a genuine luxury grand tourer, in whose slipstream flourishes the turbocharged Aaron Zafira Ramsey, whose versatility and engine power makes him an extremely reliable people carrier (although sadly his dimensions exceed the limits of the Japanese market, meaning buyers in that country are liable to additional taxes).

Wales! Vauxhall! Cars! Vauxhall!

Still strong. Still together.

With Vauxhall Motors.

 

[NiallQuinnDiscoPants]

Absolute cracking 2nd goal from Wilshere. One of the best England goals of recent memory that one.

 

[mistermagic]

Funny that we look good going forward but dodgy at the back, given that life under Hodgson was supposed to be the exact opposite.

From yesterday's performance, I really don't think England look good going forward at all. Having a second striker playing CF doesn't help but he seems to have trouble finding the net even when he has sitters like he had yesterday. Thought Sterling was quite lively down the left but that Hodgson didn't play to his strength. The midfield trio of Henderson, Wilshere and Delph was also very flat and there was next to no penetration. Lallana coming on improved things a little but I wouldn't exactly shit my pants if England met France tomorrow (and our defence is also proper shit).

Let's have a round-up of the qualifiers group by group!

Group A
Another very important win for Iceland who beat the Czech Republic 2-1 at home. Holland won their first away game of the campaign in Latvia 2-0 and stay 3rd. It's 5 win out of 6 for Iceland (they lost in Prague) who 2 points clear of the Czechs and 5 of Holland before travellling there in September. It's unlikely that the top 3 will change but the order might. Holland will need to fight to qualify directly for a change.

Group B
Great win for Wales against Belgium thanks to a Gareth Bale goal. Both sides will be warry of Bosnia waking up against Israel (3-1). Wales top the group on 14 points closely followed by Belgium (11 points). 3rd spot will be heavily contested between Cyprus, Israel and Bosnia.

Group C
The gap between the top 3 and the bottom 3 was widened to 8 points with the upper half all winning. It's all as you were with Slovakia the only side of the qualifiers with England to have a 100% record after beating Macedonia 2-1 at home, Spain won in Belarus 1-0 while Ukraine needed 3 second half goals to beat minnows Luxembourg. Spain host Slovakia in September with a win putting them top on aggregate (depending on away gaols) while Ukraine could clinch a play-off spot if they beat Belarus in 3 months.

Group D
Routine wins for Poland and Germany who prepared themselves perfectly before the big game on September 4th somewhere in Germany. Poland are currently a point clear of Germany. Scotland only got a draw in Dublin and are now 3rd. It is clear that the play-off spot will be contested between those two.

Group E
England are within touching distance of being the first side qualified for France 2016 with a 6th win in as many games in Ljubljana. They need to win in San Marino in September and hope for a Slovenia slip in Switzerland to be mathematically there. The Swiss are currently 3 points clear of Slovenia and if they beat them they would pretty much seal qualification as runners-up of the group. We could have a surprise 3rd if Estonia keep things up.

Group F
Another good result for a home nation as NI kept the game scoreless against an in-form Romania. Both sides remain in the top two but Hungary have closed the gap after winning in Finland 1-0. They host Romania next, the perfect opportunity for Northern Ireland to capitalize on a draw/defeat of either as they travel to the Faroes (who just did the double over Greece!).

Group G
Austria made a great step in qualifying for its first major tournament (without hosting it) since France 98 with a 1-0 win in Russia. The Austrians are now 8 points clear of the next World Cup hosts (win against Moldova and Russia fail to beat Sweden). Sweden stay just 4 points behind the Austrians with a 3-1 win over Montenegro.

Group H
Croatia stay 2 points in front of Italy after both sides drew 1-1. Norway could only manage a draw at home to Azerbaijan but stay 3rd in front of Bulgaria. Both sides meet in Sofia in September, a game that will go a long way in determining who finishes 3rd.

Group I
Routine wins for Portugal and Denmark against Armenia and Serbia respectively. Both sides should qualify directly. Albania played France in a friendly and were very good. I can see them finishing 3rd and causing other play-off sides a few problems.

As you know the best 3rd sides qualifies directly for the final tournament. Currently, that side is Hungary.

 

[Leewilson]

Group D
Routine wins for Poland and Germany who prepared themselves perfectly before the big game on September 4th somewhere in Germany. Poland are currently a point clear of Germany. Scotland only got a draw in Dublin and are now 3rd. It is clear that the play-off spot will be contested between those two.

Not necessarily mate. Poland are only 3 ahead of Scotland. Basically, if Scotland beat Gilbratar, Georgia and Poland, they will go above Poland due to having a better H2H. This is assuming both lose to Germany. The point Scotland gained against ROI is crucial as it keeps that match against Poland a decider so to speak assuming the Germany results go as expected. I would expect Germany to step it up in the next two games against Poland and Scotland or else their own qualification is not assured.

ROI also aren't out of it. Their next two games are Georgia and Gilbratar. 2 wins takes them to 15 points. If the next two games go as I expect, the table would look like this with 2 games remaining.

1) Germany 19
2) Poland 17
3) ROI 15
4) Scotland 14

ROI's last two games are at home to Germany and away to Poland, so they could still have a very big say in what happens and perhaps even qualify themselves if they can nick a win in one of them.
Scotland's last two are home to Poland and then Gilbratar. Give them the 3 against Gibraltar and then it's a straight shoot out vs Poland.

It's so close and all 4 still have a good chance of qualification. It basically is down to the head to heads.

 

[mistermagic]

I'm basing my assessment having seen every single game of Germany (well, apart from the Gibraltar ones as that's just a waste), most of Poland's and a fair bit of Scotland. I really can't see past Poland and Germany for top 2. I must confess that Scotland got a good result in Poland but the Poles' quality will take them through. Scotland and Ireland look tough to beat but I just can't see them beating either Poland or Germany and I don't think either will leapfrog them with draws.

 

[smat]

From yesterday's performance, I really don't think England look good going forward at all.

Yes but your opinions are all really bad.

 

[mistermagic]

Yes but your opinions are all really bad.

Cmon man! Not all of them!

 

[Leewilson]

I'm basing my assessment having seen every single game of Germany (well, apart from the Gibraltar ones as that's just a waste), most of Poland's and a fair bit of Scotland. I really can't see past Poland and Germany for top 2. I must confess that Scotland got a good result in Poland but the Poles' quality will take them through. Scotland and Ireland look tough to beat but I just can't see them beating either Poland or Germany and I don't think either will leapfrog them with draws.

I wouldn't underestimate Scotland at home to Poland in front of a big crowd. They have beaten better teams than Poland in that sort of atmosphere before. The Germans will qualify, I have little doubt. But I think the race for 2nd is very much on and although the Poles have the greater quality, the likes of Scotland and Ireland also have a lot of players who have played at the highest level and know about these sort of occasions. Poland vs Ireland in the final game for example. It's a game tailor made for Ireland to sit behind the ball and looking to nick something, like they did in Germany. They are much better at that than they are having to take the initiative. Scotland put a poor performance in against Ireland but have been outstanding so far away to Germany (where they were very unlucky) and away to Poland where they nearly nicked a victory. Poland have played some good stuff, most notably in their win over Germany, but having followed this group closely MM, it's going to the wire for 2nd barring a Georgia slip up by somebody.

 

[GodsGift]

The Germans will qualify

Ladies and gentleman, I give to you TFF's most knowledgeable poster.

 

[mistermagic]

I wouldn't underestimate Scotland at home to Poland in front of a big crowd. They have beaten better teams than Poland in that sort of atmosphere before. The Germans will qualify, I have little doubt. But I think the race for 2nd is very much on and although the Poles have the greater quality, the likes of Scotland and Ireland also have a lot of players who have played at the highest level and know about these sort of occasions. Poland vs Ireland in the final game for example. It's a game tailor made for Ireland to sit behind the ball and looking to nick something, like they did in Germany. They are much better at that than they are having to take the initiative. Scotland put a poor performance in against Ireland but have been outstanding so far away to Germany (where they were very unlucky) and away to Poland where they nearly nicked a victory. Poland have played some good stuff, most notably in their win over Germany, but having followed this group closely MM, it's going to the wire for 2nd barring a Georgia slip up by somebody.

Germany have been pretty shit and Poland quite good. I see what you're saying and I agree that Scotland and Ireland are tough to beat but I just don't see either beating Poland with the players they have.
Although, you're right, this group is closer than what my previous assessment would have you believe. I just reckon that top two will be Poland & Germany (possibly in that order) and that 3rd will be between Scotland and ROI (I really hope it's Scotland).

 

[Leewilson]

Germany have been pretty shit and Poland quite good. I see what you're saying and I agree that Scotland and Ireland are tough to beat but I just don't see either beating Poland with the players they have.
Although, you're right, this group is closer than what my previous assessment would have you believe. I just reckon that top two will be Poland & Germany (possibly in that order) and that 3rd will be between Scotland and ROI (I really hope it's Scotland).

That's fair enough mate, it's all about opinions. I'm with you that Poland are the favourites. I just would never bet against Scotland in a one off match at home which could determine their fate. They will absolute go for it and whilst the Poles have some star players, whether they're tough enough to cope under that sort of pressure (since they're not exactly certs every qualification), we shall see.

The Irish should finish 4th but providing they take 6 points from Georgia and Gilbratar, they go into that Poland match on the final day with something on the line, so they can't be ruled out because they have enough experienced players to pull something out the bag when unexpected.

Loving the qualifiers this time though, best qualification period for years (England aside).

 

[mistermagic]

Loving the qualifiers this time though, best qualification period for years (England aside).

I agree. I thought that the change from 16 to 24 teams would render the qualifiers boring and predictable but it has been anything but. Of course, the fact that most big nations aren't doing too well is a big help. I expect a lot of new names in France next summer which is great!

 

[mnb089mnb]

Reading this thread has reminded me just how many English fans seem to hate their team so much, and their best players (Rooney and Wilshere).

 

[CFC91]

Reading this thread has reminded me just how many English fans seem to hate their team so much, and their best players (Rooney and Wilshere).

Baffling I know. Fashionable to knock the nqational team apparently. As if 6 wins from 6 isn't good enough.

 

[ArmchairDiehard]

Reading this thread has reminded me just how many English fans seem to hate their team so much, and their best players (Rooney and Wilshere).

It's one of the main reasons I refuse to read Twitter on the day of an England game.

 

[Etienne Vermeer]

On a slightly related note, group seedings for the next World Cup qualifiers are almost set - just the fin first seed to fight out between Croatia and Italy:

http://www.espnfc.us/world-cup-qual...d-romania-seeded-in-world-cup-qualifying-draw

 

[Ebeneezer Goode]

Reading this thread has reminded me just how many English fans seem to hate their team so much, and their best players (Rooney and Wilshere).

When you qualify for this tournament, but not the next, you'll probably be in a similar boat.

 

[Stevencc]

Top scorers so far...

 

[smat]

Can anyone name the ex-Arsenal player from that list? Trials don't count. I'll give you a like if you get it right.

 

[yellow]

georgios efrem

cheers

 

[Skinner]

Efrem

 

[smat]

Quite incredible.

 

[mnb089mnb]

When you qualify for this tournament, but not the next, you'll probably be in a similar boat.

Hopefully without the racism or superiority complex.