European Championships 2016

[DangerousSausage]

Well England are through, 10 out of 10. Spectacturlarly boring, but I prefer that to the fiasco we had under Steve McClaren.

 

Yesterday evening we followed the Netherlands - Czech Republic and Turkey - Iceland matches. The Holland match was very compelling - they needed to win to have a chance of qualifying, but went 2-0 down in the first half before the Czechs had a man sent off. A win would have counted for nothing anyway.

 

When Turkey took a free kick with just a few minutes remaining, the Dutch had pulled it back to 3-2. It could still have gone very wrong for them. But they buried the free kick, sparking jubilation in the Sausage household (Mrs Sausage would definitely fail the cricket test). Better still, that sends them through automatically as the best third-placed team. The Dutch will be staying at home, and they only have themselves to blame - shocking that they couldn't even muster third place.

 

That means that 20 of the 24 teams have qualified, with the remainder to be determined in the play-offs. Here's an overview:

 

http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/34496764

[Dripsey3]

Kazakhstan beat Latvia away which put Turkey through. Hungary not happy, some of their fans are mumbling about fix. Look anything is possible but I doubt Latvia lost on purpose. From an Irish point of view, we will face one of Bosnia, Sweden, Hungary or Ukraine. I'd prefer to play Hungary. The others are very difficult opponents.

[DangerousSausage]

A fix? I doubt it somehow, the Turkey match was nailed on to finish 0-0 until that sublime free kick at the death. If Iceland had gone down to 8 men and lost 5-0 I might have understood. And why would Latvia have given up on qualification, just to spite Hungary? There were two automatic spots which they missed out on, and it's their own fault they had to count on results elsewhere. They're just sore losers.

 

Ireland will fancy their chances, all the teams in the play-offs are beatable. In years gone by, the likes of Germany and France had to go through the play-offs, there's none of that calibre this time.

[Dripsey3]

Ireland need to be away first so the ultra defensive tactics might scrape a draw. Then the less defensive tactics will be unleashed at home. Ireland's tactics are suited to playoff games and I wouldn't be surprised at all if Ireland qualify, probably 1-0 on agg.

[ivansneck]

When's the draw?


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[Canadian]

Dec 12th

[liampie]

how does people fancy englands chances?

i think it will be between germany and italy myself, i think spain have burned out.

[Chris Website URL Visit Site 𝕏 fmcj10 Instagram fmcj10]

Turkey manage to get in both this and the African nations....

I am pleased Wales have managed to make it, I think this will be massive for them as a footballing nation. Yet I am more pleased to see Northern Ireland make it, they have done ever so well. I'm more excited about Euro 2016, than I am about the next World Cup.

[Dripsey3]

Italy are average IMO. Germany are in transition. England have a chance but they need to believe that they have. France are the team to beat IMO. Good side and home advantage.

[DangerousSausage]

Like @Dripsey3 said, Germany are in transition. They haven't convinced me at all. There's no outstanding team, so it could be a good year for the minnows. If we have a settled, well-organised team, we could go far.

 

Part of me wants us draw Turkey, part doesn't. It'd be great fun, but on the other hand if we lose I'll never be allowed to forget it ...

[ivansneck]

Well done Wales but I hate all this stuff about first time since 1958. Huge insult to the team of 1976 that got knocked out in the quarter finals


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[ivansneck]

how does people fancy englands chances?

i think it will be between germany and italy myself, i think spain have burned out.

No chance at all


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[DangerousSausage]

After fumbling with their balls on Saturday night, this is the draw for France 2016:

What do you all think? I think our group is doable, although every match is a banana skin, as is usually the case in this tournament. Glad we got a home nation, slightly disappointed we didn't get Turkey but that's probably a blessing in disguise! Can't wait for the Wales match. Russia, Ukraine and Turkey in a group could have been interesting, but alas it wasn't to be!

Only 8 teams get knocked out at the group stage this time, with the four best 3rd-placed teams going through, so it will even be possible to go through without winning a game. That'll take the edge off the group stage this time in my opinion.

[Chris Website URL Visit Site 𝕏 fmcj10 Instagram fmcj10]

I think the groups been kind to us, yet we always seem to find ourselves with sides like 'Slovakia'. Russia is the only real test, not that England will make it seem like that but on paper we should struggle.

Northern Ireland have a difficult group, yet they could progress if they showed some of the spirit they did in qualifying.

Wales for me should struggle, Russia and ourselves are teams which should make it difficult and I can only really see them doing okay against Slovakia. I would love to see them do well, yet there's no shame for them because they're winners just for making it this far in my opinion. Underdogs sometimes thrive, I don't think any Welsh fan would be taking it overly serious - so I hope they just enjoy it.

Republic of Ireland have a group which is also somewhat difficult for them, yet I do feel they may progress - they have a sort of 'spirit' when it comes to competitions and I really don't rate Sweden or Belgium (the latter have wasted the best talent they've had in generations, far worse than we did).

Some say it's a boring draw but I think there will be some of the best games within the European Championships for a few years now.

I'm quite excited about.

[Dripsey3]

Qualifying for a finals is a whole different ball game to actual playing in the finals themselves. ROI have plenty of spirit and commitment but that's not enough. Teams that can't retain possession don't do well in finals. It's one reason why I don't see ROI coming out of the group. We were destroyed in Euro 12 so even a single point would represent progress. 

NI are in a group of death. 3 defeats I reckon. 

England should win their group. Wales have a good chance of progressing as well. Russia have a habit of blowing up in major tournaments. Watch out for Slovakia. A well drilled side who will make it difficult for opponents. 

Keep an eye on Iceland, they will surprise a lot of people IMO. They are a joy to watch.