Draw takes place on December 2nd. Discuss here. Seedings: Pot 1: Poland, Ukraine, Spain, Holland. Pot 2: Germany, Italy, England, Russia. Pot 3: Croatia, Greece, Sweden, Portugal. Pot 4: Denmark, France, Ireland, Czech Republic. If we can avoid Holland, Spain, Germany and Portugal I would be quite happy. Wouldn't mind drawing Italy to be honest - I think Trapattoni would relish it. A lot of people might disagree, but I want to avoid England.
Why Croatia? I saw extended highlights of their 3-0 win in Turkey - they looked a very dangerous side. Greece or Sweden from Pot 3 for me.
Yes but neither Croatia nor Turkey are the sides they were from the previous decade. You can add the Czechs to that list as well. We're well above any of them.
I don't think that Ireland would mind getting England instead of Italy. All the players are well known to them and their record against England is pretty decent.
As I said on the other thread Easiest possible group: Poland Russia Greece Toughest possible group: Spain Germany Portugal Average: Holland England Sweden
I agree, I actually went back and forth in deciding between the two, but England may very well be a better draw.
There will be no easy group to get. We will be hard to beat and getting beyond the quarters will be a superb achievement. I'm sure the FAI want to play that england friendly in Lansdowne! KOH
Today is the day! Haven't been this excited about a draw in, well, ten years. Let's avoid Spain, Holland and Germany.
GROUP A: Poland, Czech Republic, Greece, Russia, GROUP B: Netherlands, Denmark, Portugal, Germany. GROUP C: Spain, Republic of Ireland, Croatia, Italy. GROUP D: Ukraine, France, Sweden, England
Drawing Spain a bit of a blow as I think they will win the group comfortably. Italy and Croatia are very tough, but not impossible. We need a win over Croatia on the 10th to give us any chance. Guess this means we have a friendly vs England in Dublin to look forward to?
Finally the question that has been on the lips of every football fan will be answered - Keith Andrews or Xavi?
Both countries must win this game if they want any chance to get to the second round. Croatia basically has the same team they had in euro 2008. Croatia though played poorly in qualifiers but played great and dominated the Turks in turkey. We have never lost to the Italians so I know we can beat them. Spain is on another planet and only Germany I feel can beat them. Good luck to you guys. Should be a good game. Oh and one more thing Fuk England.
The more I think about it, Stephen Kelly could well find himself in the starting XI for the Finals. St. Ledger isn't even making the bench for Leicester, while Kelly has claimed the first-choice right back spot at Fulham and is playing quite well. Kelly-Dunne-O'Shea-Ward. I would have more confidence in that back four than O'Shea-Dunne-St. Ledger-Ward.
