I'd like to avoid Turkey as their the toughest of the bottom 4, but I tend to think they'll draw Bosnia as UEFA probably want them there and Turkey is almost a lock to host Euro 2020. Czech have fallen off form and are nowhere near as good as they used to be and we could take them. I'd like to have Estonia, but I mentioned something about UEFA playing favourites and I tend to think that they'll be served to Portugal.
Turkey and the Czech Republic are not the Turkey and Czech Republic of 7-10 years ago. The Czechs lost 3 games in their qualifiers, getting an ill-deserved draw in Glasgow. They had only a +4 goal difference, even losing at home to Lithuania. But that's only a hypothetical match up as they are also a seeded team. Turkey are also a much weaker side than their 3rd place finish in the 2002 WC. They too lost 3 games in the qualifiers and managed only a +2 goal difference managing to lose to Azerbaijan. They didn't qualify for WC 2010, finishing well behind Spain and Bosnia. Not to say that they wouldn't be dangerous, but Ireland would be well in here. Of the 4 teams that Ireland could meet, on paper Turkey appear the most difficult, but I would fear Bosnia more. Montenegro and Estonia are no push overs either, but are the weaker two of the four.
Confirmation from UEFA http://www.uefa.com/uefaeuro2012/news/newsid=1695380.html#seedings+confirmed+euro+play+draw So it's... I still think Estonia (who lost 4 matches in qualifying) would be the preference, and that would seem to be the least hostile environment for the first leg of the tie. Tallinn is supposed to be a cracking place to travel to as well (not that I can go).
I would like: Estonia, Montenegro, Bosnia, Turkey in that order. Though I have a feeling that Bosnia might in fact be a tougher tie than Turkey.
Not sure about the red card. I wonder if that defender who put the ball in to his own net has a gambling problem? [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2yuVq5M07MA"] Ireland [/ame]
Guys I just wanted to wish you good luck in the playoffs, France has prevailed again thanks to Mr. Platini and his goons. It took a late bogus penalty for them to squeak out a 1-1 draw against us in Paris.
Draw in full. Turkey vs. Croatia Estonia vs. Ireland Czech Republic vs. Montenegro Bosnia vs. Portugal Probably about as good a draw as Ireland could get. Home for the second leg, knowing exactly what they have to do, to Estonia, far from a European giant. Avoided Bosnia and Turkey.
Estonia finished second in its group, 10 points behind Italy, 1 ahead of Serbia and 2 ahead of Slovenia. They won 5 lost 4 and drew 1. Not exactly sparkling results, but Serbia and Slovenia are good sides and they beat both of them away. They beat Norn Iron home and away but managed to lose to the Faroes away. Estonia's group results: Estonia 2-1 Faroe Islands Estonia 1-2 Italy Serbia 1-3 Estonia Estonia 0-1 Slovenia Estonia 1-1 Serbia Italy 3-0 Estonia Faroes 2-0 Estonia Slovenia 1-2 Estonia Estonia 4-1 Northern Ireland N Ireland 1-2 Estonia
Coming from a French president, I hope it's a sign of peace and reconciliation. Not to say that I'm undermining or disrespecting the Estonians. But I too have heard that Tallinn is supposed to be an awesome place. One of my mates was there last year and told me that "It looked like Disneyland".
This is what you call 'Luck of the Irish' I suppose In all seriousness though, don't take them too lightly. They were able to not only beat Serbia in Belgrade but finish atop them in the standings. Ireland's not going to have Keane (his fault for joining such a good MLS team) so some other striker needs to step and score goals.