Euro 2012 Qualifying Group B - General Discussion

**Brendan 82** · 07/09/2010, 4:48 PM

Originally Posted by Stuttgart88

Of course they're the best team in the group. Can't believe so many think otherwise. We're getting all English and basis our predictions based on GDP size. Slovakia are the momentum team. Draw best result - no brainer in my mind.

Thanks. I thought I was going crazy

**boovidge** · 07/09/2010, 4:52 PM

yes, but as someone mentioned earlier, russia have been very unlucky. looks like even making the playoffs is going to be a substantial achievement.

**boysingreen** · 07/09/2010, 4:55 PM

Full time Russia 0-1 Slovakia

**SwanVsDalton** · 07/09/2010, 4:55 PM

Originally Posted by Stuttgart88

Of course they're the best team in the group. Can't believe so many think otherwise. We're getting all English and basis our predictions based on GDP size. Slovakia are the momentum team. Draw best result - no brainer in my mind.

It's not the only thing to base it on though. Pedigree is important, and Russia have it throughout their side. Plenty of these guys were at Euro 08. Plus a lot of smaller teams often come off a successful major tournament only to have a stinking qualifying campaign (such as us 02-03). Although they do appear to be curiously underrated I still fancy our chances against them more than the Russians.

**Brendan 82** · 07/09/2010, 4:55 PM

We could deliver a hammer blow to Russia now by beating them in Dublin

**Noelys Guitar** · 07/09/2010, 4:56 PM

Dick out of a job tomorrow? Should really be 2-0 to the Slovaks. Slovakia have had two great chances in the last few mins. Russia huffing and puffing and never really look like scoring. For all their flair going forward they still have too many mediocre players along with their couple of great players. Apart from one free kick and one cross field ball the Slovak keeper has not had a save to make. Best team won IMO. And both defences are going to have a real problem dealing with Kevin Doyle. Sort out our left back problem and we can win this group

**Stuttgart88** · 07/09/2010, 4:57 PM

So Slovakia win then. Russia will be doubly determined in Dublin in October.

If Trap really was a lucky manager (take note David Kelly) other results would go his way. They didn't last time and they haven't done so yet in the group.

**ifk101** · 07/09/2010, 5:00 PM

Russia looks like a work-in-progress to me - ie still adjusting to life under Dick Advocaat. I think we have a good chance of getting the better of them.

Slovakia are functional. No great shakes but they won't be easily beaten. But nothing to fear either.

**Noelys Guitar** · 07/09/2010, 5:06 PM

Slovakia have had the breaks in this group so far. But we should be leading the group come 5pm. We can kill off Russia in October and our record against them down the years has been good. Should be a great match with them now having to win the game. I would have prefered a draw in the game today but who knows what the result of todays game will mean come the end of the group.

**tricky_colour** · 07/09/2010, 5:07 PM

Originally Posted by Brendan 82

We could deliver a hammer blow to Russia now by beating them in Dublin

Lol I expect a hammer blow will be dealt one way or another, I just hope we are on the right end of the hammer

**Stuttgart88** · 07/09/2010, 5:08 PM

Will it be an inflatable hammer?

**Noelys Guitar** · 07/09/2010, 5:11 PM

it will be interesting to see how Armenia do against Macedonia. I thought Macedonia were very unlucky to lose against Slovakia on Friday (sending off changed the game completely).

**tricky_colour** · 07/09/2010, 5:12 PM

This could either be a very good result for us or a very bad one.
All depends on the results we get really. First or third for us.

**mypost** · 07/09/2010, 5:26 PM

A win next month, won't kill off the Russians. Too early in the group for that, and they have 4 of their last 6 games at home.

**tricky_colour** · 07/09/2010, 5:27 PM

Originally Posted by Noelys Guitar

it will be interesting to see how Armenia do against Macedonia. I thought Macedonia were very unlucky to lose against Slovakia on Friday (sending off changed the game completely).

Ideally we would like to see Armenia get a result of some kind showing they are a decent side.
If they get thrashed it won't look too good for us. A Draw would be OK.

**elroy** · 07/09/2010, 5:29 PM

In a sense it means beating Slovakia now will be more important that beating Russia. I always wouldve fancied our chances of beating the Slovaks in comparison to beating Russia. Anyways lets do our own job first, off to the game now. 3-0 win.

**Scooby Doo** · 07/09/2010, 5:39 PM

An absolutely dreadful result for Russia. Slovakia will be flying high after 6 points from two of their three most difficult away games. Lets hope they don't make it three out of three! Its still very, very early in the group but I suspect anything but a win for Ireland against them might see us scrapping it out with Arshavin and Co for second place. Then again, we still have to be quietly confident of getting four points from Slovakia.
Its gonna be a long few weeks till October 8th!

**boysingreen** · 07/09/2010, 5:48 PM

Originally Posted by Scooby Doo

Slovakia will be flying high after 6 points from two of their three most difficult away games.

Their win against Macedonia was in Slovakia mate! Russia was their first away fixture. So they still have to travel to Macedonia, Armenia, and Dublin.

**rebelmusic** · 07/09/2010, 5:51 PM

Is 4 points against both teams good for us, or does it hand first place to Slovakia? Me brain no like maths

**Scooby Doo** · 07/09/2010, 6:07 PM

Originally Posted by boysingreen

Their win against Macedonia was in Slovakia mate! Russia was their first away fixture. So they still have to travel to Macedonia, Armenia, and Dublin.

Cheers for the correction.