The Euro 2016 qualifiers thread

[Christian Slater]

This thread was just people moaning about England until they started winning by 3, then nothing at all was said.

I've said for years, the biggest problem with England is the "fans". The media simply cater to them.

 

[johnnytodd]

Shelvz bossed it from deep.

he looked good i agree, then again he was up against a shepherd and a pole dancer

 

[Abertawe]

he looked good i agree, then again he was up against a shepherd and a pole dancer

Doesn't matter if it was an egg picker or messi. Shelvz is a boss and would boss it regardless cuz that's what bosses do, boss laaa.

 

[SALTIRE]

You balance it out with Barcelona, though.

Haha maybe I do a bit; with all the misery and nail-biting that goes on with the others, watching Barca is soul replenishing after all that.

 

[mistermagic]

Group A
Iceland won the big game in Holland on Thursday after Robben limped off injured and Van der Wiel stupidly conceded a penalty. Iceland are now 90 minutes away from qualifying for a major tournament if they beat Kazakhstan today. The Czechs play in Latvia and qualification will be within touching distance if they win being 6 points clear of the Dutch.
Holland are on the brink of not even making the play-offs. They play a huge game in Turkey. If they lose that, they'll be fourth. With 2 games to go.

Group B
Wales will qualify if they beat Israel today. Bosnia must be hoping this is what happens as they could still catch the Israelis. They host Andorra which is a banker 3 points.

Group C
Spain beat Slovakia last night and won the H2H 3-2 on aggregate meaning they just need to win their remaining games to top the group. Qualification won't be assured until the very end though as Ukraine are a very strong 3rd and host the Spaniards on the final day.

Group D
4th win on the bounce for the Germans after not winning in their opening 3 games. They've taken top spot for the first time after beating Poland 3-1. Ireland easily beat Gibraltar and Scotland lost in Georgia and the play-off spot to the Irish. The next games could be telling for Scotland as they host Germany while Ireland play at home to Georgia. Ireland could be 4 points clear of the Scots with 2 games to go. To the Scots' favour though, Ireland's last two games are against Poland and Germany and the Scots have beaten Ireland on aggregate.
Interesting race for 3rd that. Pretty sure the top 2 will remain the same.

Group E
England won in San Marino 6-0 and have qualified for Euro 2016, Rooney equalled Charlton's record of 49 goals thanks to a terrible refereeing decision.
In a more eventful game, Switzerland came from two goals down to beat Slovenia 3-2 in the dying minutes of the game. The Swiss are 5 points of Estonia who leapfrogged the Slovenians after beating Lithuania. Slovenia host Estonia next to decide who finishes third.

Group F
Northern Ireland are top of that group as they won in the Faroe Islands and Romania could only draw in Hungary. NI will qualify if they beat Hungary next.

Group G
Austria are within touching distance of qualification as they beat Moldova 1-0 last night. Their next game will be tough though as it will be in Sweden who can see Russia making a challenge for 2nd. Russia are playing at Liechtenstein on Tuesday and have been doing better since sacking Capello.

Group H
Just like Spain's group, this one has the top 3 very close together. Croatia and Italy are level on points (15) and need GD to seperate them (Croatia with the better one). Norway are only 2 points behind and host the Croats today. A win would put them in a great position with 2 games left.

Group I
The sole 5-team group sees Portugal still top and will qualify if they win in Albania tomorrow. If this happens, Denmark can all but secure qualification if they win in Armenia.

As it stands, the best 3rd side is the Ukraine who will qualify directly if they keep that spot.

 

[Nath]

What has happened to Holland?

They've gone to shit.

 

[G-Dragon]

Depay believing his own hype.

 

[mistermagic]

It's a shame Scipio and the other Dutch haven't stuck around to tell all about it. From where I'm standing, Holland look like us under Domenech: terribly talented but no collective cohesion.
2-0 down in Turkey close to half-time. Blind and Depay are both having mares.

 

[Master D]

I don't think Holland have that many talented players at all, Robben aside. It's not that much of a shock to see them where they are as he carried them all the way in the World Cup. Sneijder and RVP are long since past their best too.

 

[Nilsson]

It's a shame Scipio and the other Dutch haven't stuck around to tell all about it. From where I'm standing, Holland look like us under Domenech: terribly talented but no collective cohesion.
2-0 down in Turkey close to half-time. Blind and Depay are both having mares.

They're playing no worse than any other Dutch player. Depay has probably been the best attacking threat, put two brilliant crosses which Klaassen should've done better with. Blind was poor for the 2nd goal but Cillessen was even worse.

Also, no way can this Dutch side be described as terribly talented. RVP and Sneijder are still considered key players and they aren't very good anymore.

 

[G-Dragon]

It's a shame Scipio and the other Dutch haven't stuck around to tell all about it. From where I'm standing, Holland look like us under Domenech: terribly talented but no collective cohesion.
2-0 down in Turkey close to half-time. Blind and Depay are both having mares.

Yeah Depay has been terrible. Can't even go past a man and his passing is just atrocious (he is missing simple passes!). Worst player has to be the keeper, how does he get ahead of Vorm and Krul no idea.

 

[Madejski]

Netherlands will just about scrape through as Turkey have still to play Iceland and Czech republic who top the group.

Would have been more interesting had Turkey not thrown away their lead against Latvia a few days ago. 4 points in 2 games would have been very difficult to catch up, even with easier fixtures.

 

[Libertadores FC]

What has happened to Holland?

They've gone to shit.

They've gone to shit?

They were shit since the World Cup. After the Spain game they were bang average. Its cringeworthy how many people say they were good while those same people say Argentina was shit. If they get outplayed by fucking Mexico then they are nothing more than bang average.

The European centric people are one reason I find European football overrated entertainment wise.

 

[smat]

Its cringeworthy how many people say they were good while those same people say Argentina was shit.

I know, it's so cringeworthy. I hate those people. I fucking hate them.

 

[G-Dragon]

They've gone to shit?

They were shit since the World Cup. After the Spain game they were bang average. Its cringeworthy how many people say they were good while those same people say Argentina was shit. If they get outplayed by fucking Mexico then they are nothing more than bang average.

The European centric people are one reason I find European football overrated entertainment wise.

Personally i am finding these Euro qualifiers more entertaining than Copa America. European football is just at another level.

 

[Megaclyde]

Personally i am finding these Euro qualifiers more entertaining than Copa America. European football is just at another level.

I find it less painful to watch, considerably less play acting/diving ect

 

[Libertadores FC]

Personally i am finding these Euro qualifiers more entertaining than Copa America. European football is just at another level.

It may just be me, but I enjoyed Copa America a lot to be honest. Some people said this years was dull but I enjoyed it.

I like European football, but here are some things that bother me.

Champions League: Always Bayern, Real and Barca + 1 Underdog are in the semi's. Its painfully predictable
Serie A: Favourite European league but the title race is boring. 1 horse race
Ligue 1: These days its a 1 horse race
Bundesliga: 1 horse race
La Liga: 2 horse race but between always the same teams. Bar that one season where Atletico won.
Premier League: Usually a good title race but too many frauds, overhyped teams and boring matches.

The only reason I watch European football to be honest is because its the highest level and thats where all talent goes to make their careers a good one, at least nowadays because historically South American football was better until about 2002. Everything else just bores me about it.

That said, these European qualifiers have been good considering how one sided they usually are (or at least the WC qualifiers are)

 

[voltage]

With Robben injured things are getting harder to Netherlands. And I don't get why they keep insisting in Cillessen as first goalkeeper.

 

[G-Dragon]

3-0 LMFAO

 

[Master D]

This is incredibly annoying to watch. Ben Haim has always been a massive c***.

 

[DarkSithLord]

Any Welsh fans have no need to worry. You still have to play Andorra.

 

[JimJams]

...historically South American football was better until about 2002...

BC?

 

[Libertadores FC]

BC?

Prior to 2004

South America: 22 Intercontinental Cups
Europe: 21 Intercontinental cups

After Brazils WC win in 2002

South America: 9 World Cups
Europe: 8 World Cups

Also, the Brazilian team that won the 3 world cups between 1958 and 1970, all the players played in Brazil.

South American football historically is better than European and around 2002 is when European football took over. Its always been close (until recent years) but South American was slightly better.

 

[Etienne Vermeer]

I know it's just Kazakhstan, but I've been quite impressed with how Iceland have knocked the ball about. Doesn't look like a fluke they're at the top.

 

[fifaking]

That was a really frustrating game and probably would have been a very easy win had we taken the one and only glorious chance in the opening 10-15 mins.

Cyprus v Belgium still 0-0... you just know Belgium will score 87th minute to make us wait a bit longer

 

[G-Dragon]

Prior to 2004

South America: 22 Intercontinental Cups
Europe: 21 Intercontinental cups

After Brazils WC win in 2002

South America: 9 World Cups
Europe: 8 World Cups

Also, the Brazilian team that won the 3 world cups between 1958 and 1970, all the players played in Brazil.

South American football historically is better than European and around 2002 is when European football took over. Its always been close (until recent years) but South American was slightly better.

That hardly says anything. "Slightly" is all about opinion.

 

[Cardsfan]

That hardly says anything. "Slightly" is all about opinion.

Not to mention the fact that he uses the number of intercontinental cups won

 

[Libertadores FC]

That hardly says anything. "Slightly" is all about opinion.

Right, so winning trophies "doesn't say anything"

Right, then I'm gonna say that Swansea are the best team in the Premier League. They hardly win anything, but that doesn't matter does it?

 

[Libertadores FC]

Not to mention the fact that he uses the number of intercontinental cups won

Of course that means something. Yes, the Europeans don't take it AS seriously, but its a cup made to determine the best team in the World. If you can't win it, can you call yourself the best in the world?

Nowadays, the prestige has been taken out of it with the Club World Cup, and if a South American team wins it, I wouldn't call them the best team in the world, but if the European doesn't win it, then that European ISN'T the best team in the world. I've seen a video of Barcelona crying because they didn't win it against Internacional once so its not like every European doesn't care about it.

Also, did you just ignore the fact that Brazil won their 3 world cups with only domestic players?

When Argentina won the WC in 1986, a majority of their players played IN Argentina.

And should I remind you when Penarol smashed Benfica? When Flamengo walked past Liverpool 3-0? When Sao Paulo won the intercontinental cup twice in a row against Milan and Barcelona?

And yeah, the World Cup definitely means something. Just because England are shit doesn't mean international football isn't important, otherwise you are completely delusional.

 

[Cardsfan]

Of course that means something. Yes, the Europeans don't take it AS seriously, but its a cup made to determine the best team in the World. If you can't win it, can you call yourself the best in the world?

Nowadays, the prestige has been taken out of it with the Club World Cup, and if a South American team wins it, I wouldn't call them the best team in the world, but if the European doesn't win it, then that European ISN'T the best team in the world. I've seen a video of Barcelona crying because they didn't win it against Internacional once so its not like every European doesn't care about it.

Also, did you just ignore the fact that Brazil won their 3 world cups with only domestic players?

When Argentina won the WC in 1986, a majority of their players played IN Argentina.

And should I remind you when Penarol smashed Benfica? When Flamengo walked past Liverpool 3-0? When Sao Paulo won the intercontinental cup twice in a row against Milan and Barcelona?

And yeah, the World Cup definitely means something. Just because England are shit doesn't mean international football isn't important, otherwise you are completely delusional.

Was purely talking about Intercontinental Cups, as I don't feel that's particularly relevant, no idea why you've decided my opinion for me in the last few lines.