Tonight's Euro Qualifiers

Markgway · Post by **Markgway** » 22 Nov 2007, 05:00

Cracking match I thought... I was on the edge of my seat and it wasn't even my team. England basically blew it and didn't deserve to go thru. If they'd out-played Croatia and got the win, I, as a Scot, would've said fair play to our rivals. But Croatia weren't even firing on full cylinders for much of the match, and they still showed England up. The Israel result gave England an unexpected lifeline, jammy, I thought. Then this game tonight: two goals, one a goalkeeping howler, the other a defensive howler. What can you say? England had another freebie in the form of an extremely soft penalty (which I wouldn't have given); and althought it brought them back into the game, it still wasn't enough. England had all the chances and at the end of the day (to use a common pundit expression) weren't good enough. It's sad to realise that there will be no representative at Euro '08 from the UK (or Ireland even).

grim_tales · Post by **grim_tales** » 22 Nov 2007, 08:49

I was on the edge of my seat too.. for the wrong reasons I guess

I agree with you Mark in that its a shame. At least England won't go out on penalties again

They should sack the manager and start again.
With the players England have they should have qualified as minimum. 1st half was awful, we should of least got a draw.
Oh well.
Terry Venables has gone as well!

Markgway · Post by **Markgway** » 22 Nov 2007, 23:52

England didn't even deserve a draw. It was a belly-flop of a performance. They have to go back to the drawing board with a new manager for the World Cup 2010 campaign. And Scotland have to build on their improvements with their new manager (whomever that will be...)

grim_tales · Post by **grim_tales** » 23 Nov 2007, 09:59

I agree, it's best we start again, not only with a new manager but also a serious look at the FA itself (Barwick has declared "nationality is not an issue" when finding the new manager - McClaren was the FOURTH choice of the English FA..

) Fabio Capello is said to be interested, but Mourinho has ruled himself out.
It's sad no UK teams will be at Euro 2008

Markgway · Post by **Markgway** » 23 Nov 2007, 12:01

I think Martin O'Neill has ruled himself out too.

grim_tales · Post by **grim_tales** » 23 Nov 2007, 12:42

Has he, why?
Capello please.
I just read according to his agent, Jose hasnt said yes or no, don't think Marcello Lippi (sp?) will get it as he doesn't speak English. That would be a handicap.
Now we're in the pot with you (Scotland) for the WC draw after falling 1 place in the rankings. England are 12th (I think) and the top 9 places go in the first pot.

Markgway · Post by **Markgway** » 23 Nov 2007, 19:30

O'Neill apparently wants to stay in club football and so does "The Special One" (TM). The England job just ain't that appealing anymore... bit like a poison chalice. Seems I was wrong about McLeish leaving just now... press reports jumped the gun... he's still our manager. Which is fine; he's doing a good job. I'd like to see a local nations tournament next year. The four UK nations plus Ireland. Would be fun.

Yi-Long · Post by **Yi-Long** » 23 Nov 2007, 19:47

Maybe Martin Jol could take the job...!?

grim_tales · Post by **grim_tales** » 23 Nov 2007, 20:20

Yeah, Home Nations tourney would be good

grim_tales · Post by **grim_tales** » 25 Nov 2007, 17:33

The World Cup groups are in:

Group 1 Portugal, Sweden, Denmark, Hungary, Albania, Malta

Group 2 Greece, Israel, Switzerland, Moldova, Latvia, Luxembourg

Group 3 Czech Republic, Poland, NORTHERN IRELAND, Slovakia, Slovenia, San Marino

Group 4 Germany, Russia, Finland, WALES, Azerbaijan, Liechtenstein

Group 5 Spain, Turkey, Belgium, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Armenia, Estonia

Group 6 Croatia, ENGLAND, Ukraine, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Andorra

Group 7 France, Romania, Serbia, Lithuania, Austria, Faroe Islands

Group 8 Italy, Bulgaria, Republic of Ireland, Cyprus, Georgia, Montenegro

Group 9 Holland, SCOTLAND, Norway, FYR Macedonia, Iceland

Kazakhstan - [Borat]Nice!![/Borat]

We're off to Borat-land

Yi-Long · Post by **Yi-Long** » 25 Nov 2007, 17:51

We (Holland) lost 2-1 to Belarus last week. Holland was extremely weak (as usual) and Belarus played well. England are in a tough group. Not so much the quality of the opponents, cause that's do-able, but more the locations where you will have to go and play those matches. It's nice they'll have to face england once again as well...

Markgway · Post by **Markgway** » 26 Nov 2007, 09:43

Well, at least we don't have France and Italy this time.