EURO 2016 Qualifying (English, group, team)

[Ariete]

The EURO 2016 will be played as a 24 team competition for the first time, mainly because the number of federations have almost doubled since 1991.

The draws were today. Two top teams from each group and the best third placed team will qualify, and the remaining 3rd placed teams play a two-legged playoff against another 3rd placed team. France, the host, will play friendlies in group I which has one team less, but the results will not affect the group standings.



Group A

Netherlands

Czech Republic

Turkey

Latvia

Iceland

Kazakhstan


Group B

Bosnia and Herzegovina

Belgium

Israel

Wales

Cyprus

Andorra


Group C

Spain

Ukraine

Slovakia

Belarus

FYROM

Luxembourg


Group D

Germany

Republic of Ireland

Poland

Scotland

Georgia

Gibraltar


Group E

England

Switzerland

Slovenia

Estonia

Lithuania

San Marino


Group F

Greece

Hungary

Romania

Finland

Northern Ireland

Faroe Islands


Group G

Russia

Sweden

Austria

Montenegro

Moldova

Liechtenstein


Group H

Italy

Croatia

Norway

Bulgaria

Azerbaijan

Malta


Group I

Portugal

Denmark

Serbia

Armenia

Albania
(France)

Any thoughts on the draw?

[paull805]

Trip to Dublin and Berlin for me! C'mon Scotland!

[Ariete]

I'm very satisfied on the draw. Hungary and Romania are roughly the same quality as Finland, so it will be a tough fight for places 2-4. Also NI and Faroe Islands are much easier places to travel to than like Armenia or Kazakhstan. Now or never Finland!

Group A seems like pure horror. G-I are also quite bad. D will neither be a walk in the park for anyone.

[LindavG]

Not happy with the draw. Kazakhstan and Iceland are awful to play away from home, Turkey will basically be two away-matches, and Latvia and Czech Republic aren't the most exciting teams to play

[Ariete]

Originally Posted by LindavG

Not happy with the draw. Kazakhstan and Iceland are awful to play away from home, Turkey will basically be two away-matches, and Latvia and Czech Republic aren't the most exciting teams to play

Definitely the worst group. Latvia should be a walkover, but the Czech might cause some troubles. Turkey is always devious, and Iceland made the playoff for the World Cup, but now in pot 5!


Finland played a sloppy friendly match against NI in 2012 which was characterized by poor defending by both teams. This must be avoided in a "real" match. Probably no harm done if I post the goals here. The Finnish free kick goal was cool, though.


15.08.2012 Pohjois-Irlanti - Suomi 3-3 - YouTube

[mos1992]

Group G and A are very competitive. Other groups can be predetermined but maybe we will see surprises

[BrianH]

Originally Posted by paull805

Trip to Dublin and Berlin for me! C'mon Scotland!

I think they will be two great ties! Wish I was there for some drinking lol.
As for Ireland's hopes I think 3rd is best to shoot for probably behind Germany and Poland.

[paull805]

That's my hope for Scotland - but you never know what Poland will show up, Scotland and Ireland could sneak the 2nd and 3rd spots, hope so.

[BrianH]

Definitely a possibility to sneak into 2nd thats for sure. I am looking forward to not being bitter now that Trap is gone, but if O'Neil and Keane go back to the same thing and try find ANY English player that's willing to play for Ireland ill go back to me old ways in a heartbeat.

[paull805]

Originally Posted by BrianH

I am looking forward to not being bitter

I laughed out loud when I read this!

Know the feeling!