The Euro 2016 qualifiers thread

[Vanni]

Looks like Italy are going to bore their way into the finals. 11 goals scored in 8 games in a group containing Malta and Azerbaijan? Christ.

Well done to the Czechs for qualifying but huge congratulations must go to Iceland. I'm surprised it's not been more widely remarked upon. For a country of little over 300,000 people to qualify for a major tournament with a couple of games to spare is a remarkable achievement.

Tbf, Italy have never been a side who score goals for fun. Still, their goal against Malta shouldn't have stood as there was a foul by Pirlo on a Maltese player in the build up, plus the fact that Pelle scored with his right hand. However it would have been harsh if the ref didn't give it for the hands as it was accidental.

 

[mistermagic]

Watched the second half of Sweden V Austria and as you say Austria were very impressive. Can see them getting to the knockout stages of Euro 2016.

I can see them getting to the KO stage too but that won't be much of an achievement as 16 of the 24 sides will get there. God, this tournament is gonna blow!

Technically it's 202km from where it's at, which is Zilina.

A draw was a great result for Slovakia though. One win from the last two against Belarus or Liechtenstein and they're through. Ukraine have to get something against Spain too even if that happened.

Like mnb said, I'm pretty sure whoever finishes 3rd in this group will get best 3rd team of the qualifiers.

Thought Slovakia lacked creativity in the middle and down the wings. Reckon Vittek is too old to be starting those type of games. Ukraine look great on paper with Zarmolenko on the right and Konoplyanka on the left but offered little really. Second half was tosh.

 

[Etienne Vermeer]

Nah, this tournament is going to be great. I mean, how many joke nations are qualifying? It's not like San Marino and Liechtenstein are going to be there.

 

[Gulliball]

Most Slovakia matches are pretty dull to watch to be fair. They try and set-up to keep clean sheets and counter when they can. When all are fit they have a pretty good counter attacking midfield with Stoch, Kucka, Hamsik and Weiss - so it's effective, just not pleasing on the eye. A lack of an international standard striker really does hold them back in terms of scoring more goals - since 2010 they've had a procession of forwards one after another, but none have scored regularly. Unfortunately the slightly better ones are all target men, which doesn't really fit with the counter attacking style and makes it a little disjointed.

 

[Etienne Vermeer]

England have a 100% record, and are fucking atrocious to watch. An extra few teams won't make a difference to the entertainment value.

 

[mnb089mnb]

England have a 100% record, and are fucking atrocious to watch. An extra few teams won't make a difference to the entertainment value.

Biggest goal difference in qualifiers, only team with a 100% record.

Nightmare.

 

[mente captus]

great decision by del Bosque to leave Costa out of the squad for his bad behaviour vs Arsenal

 

[smat]

great decision by del Bosque to leave Costa out of the squad for his bad behaviour vs Arsenal

He might as well have left him out for being in crap form, though. He's been really poor this season (plus he must be about 33 now).

 

[SALTIRE]

A few months back I thought Scotland could knick a point against Poland this upcoming game, but Lewandowski just happens to hit the form of his life recently. Sods law, we'll be lucky to be within two of them.

 

[Stevencc]

https://twitter.com/RTEsoccer/status/651724385359781888

 

[Leewilson]

That Irish line up to play the Germans if horrifically average.

 

[Jen420]

Watching the Northern Ireland match, would be good to see them get through. I'm quite confident though even without Lafferty, Greece are pretty shit.

 

[The Iron]

A few months back I thought Scotland could knick a point against Poland this upcoming game, but Lewandowski just happens to hit the form of his life recently. Sods law, we'll be lucky to be within two of them.

It took him 3 minutes to score

 

[SALTIRE]

It took him 3 minutes to score

Yep.

 

[BlueBee]

This is the most one sided game of football I've ever watched. Ireland have a terrible team.

 

[BlueBee]

great decision by del Bosque to leave Costa out of the squad for his bad behaviour vs Arsenal

Yes because that Spanish team has no one who does nothing similar in pretty much every El Classico....Ramos spends the entire night wrestling the Barcelona forwards.

 

[DarkSithLord]

Northern Ireland ahead against an abysmal Greek side.

 

[smat]

Ireland's counter attack:

https://twitter.com/dhealy09/status/652198104184303616

 

[Cheese & Biscuits]

Northern Ireland 2-0 up

 

[DarkSithLord]

What an incredible campaign from Northern Ireland. One of the biggest surprises I have known.

 

[Jen420]

Go on Norn Iron!

 

[Cheese & Biscuits]

Piss poor group but a great performance from them to do so well. Them and Iceland have been very surprising.

 

[Super_horns]

Well done to the Irish.

 

[DarkSithLord]

3-0 Northern Ireland now

 

[St Nick]

2-1 Fletcher

 

[DarkSithLord]

Portugal 1-0 Denmark. Looks like the Danes are struggling to qualify.

 

[DarkSithLord]

Rep Of Ireland 1-0 Germany!

 

[The Iron]

Portugal 1-0 Denmark. Looks like the Danes are struggling to qualify.

I've been watching this game and it's been quite entertaining. I'm surprised only one goal has been scored so far.

 

[AFCB_Mark]

Well in the Home Nations!

 

[smat]

Michael O'Neill - great appointment.

Albania :'( need to win in Armenia now - could happen.