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The draw for the Euro 2012 play-off matches pitted the Republic of Ireland against Estonia, Turkey against Croatia, Portugal clashing against Bosnia and Herzegovina, while Czech Republic meet Montenegro.
Estonia vs Republic of Ireland
Before the draw a pensive Shay Given was quoted as saying that he hopes the Republic of Ireland gets, quote; “somebody easy”.
Well, the Aston Villa shot-stopper had his prayers duly answered as Giovanni Trappatoni’s men drew the weakest team in the hat – Estonia.
After the heartbreak of two years ago when a certain Thierry Henry screwed the Irish with his infamous ‘Hand of God II’ goal on a cold winters night in Paris, the overwhelming feeling is that the Irish deserve another opportunity to get themselves into their first major tournament since World Cup 2002 and their first European Championships since 1988.
What better chance than now? We at In The Stands expect them to seize it with both hands. Now, what’s the betting that Ireland then go on to draw France in the Euro 2012 group stages?!
Turkey vs Croatia
Fate has a funny way of settling old scores and Turkey vs Croatia is just but one example of this.
Both sides had highly impressive tournaments four years ago culminating in an unforgettable quarter-final clash in Vienna.
Huge disappointment awaits the losers this time around especially considering that both sides also failed to qualify for last summer’s World Cup.
Croatian and Turkish fans are always a welcomed bonus at any major tournament and the ferocity garnered in the stands will boil over nicely on the pitch. Its Guus Hiddink vs Slavan Bilic. We tip Guus…just.
Portugal vs Bosnia-Herzegovina
Many have already written-off Bosnia and Herzegovina’s chances against a Portugal side still smarting from a 2-1 defeat to a rumbustious Denmark side in their Group H decider.
Its the name Cristiano Ronaldo which makes this encounter so intriguing. Surely the second best player on the planet will feature in Europe’s elite tournament?
Portugal – finalists just eight years ago are big hitters, and Paulo Bento’s men have a respectable reputation to uphold. Failure to qualify is unthinkable on the back of this reputation alone.
The problem is, Bosnia and Herzegovina, led as they are by the powerful Edin Dzeko, are no respecters of reputation and came within 15 minutes of a shock win away to France and thus an automatic spot for next summer’s showpiece event.
Only Samir Nasri’s late penalty denied the Eastern Europeans and should they come firing on all cylinders and grab a first-leg lead, anything is possible.
Czech Republic vs Montenegro
Who cares?! Admittedly Czech Republic have and remain an aesthetically pleasing side football-wise and were unlucky runners-up at Euro 1996, were arguably the best team at Euro 2004 and entertained everyone at Euro 2008 despite an early exit; still, the country has been in terminal decline since then.
The likes of Pavel Nedved and Jan Koller have long since retired leaving a distinct lack of quality in the sides make-up.
Montenegro will fancy their chances especially given their rather sturdy backline although their lack of killer instinct upfront could prove decisive in a match few will be bothered about as an early elimination in the group stages awaits the winners anyway.
The first legs will be played on November 11 or 12 with the return-leg being played on November 15.
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