The 2nd place qualifying table

**christo** · 10/10/2009, 7:55 PM

Originally Posted by irishfan86

The commentator on Sky said that we've clinched a playoff spot as a result of the Cyprus win- is this correct?

We need a point from the next two games I think

**Closed Account 2** · 10/10/2009, 8:12 PM

Serbia are winning 3-0 vs Romania and France are 3-0 against Brian Kerr's Faeroe Islands, so that means Serbia are at the World Cup and France are in the playoffs, unless Platini does his mooted point deduction.

**Closed Account 2** · 10/10/2009, 9:05 PM

Well we ARE in the playoffs now:

Here is the latest line up, barring a massive turnaround in Lisbon in the next 30 mins these are the teams in the play-offs:

Russia
Ukraine/Croatia
Bosnia
Greece/Swiss/Israel
France
Slovenia/Slovakia
Portugal*

*Almost certainly it will be them ahead of Norway, unless Hungary can do something in the next 30 mins.

Anyway with France, Russia, Portugal and Ukraine/Croatia in we will be in the bottom half and face one of them. Not mission impossible but we would want to avoid Russia. The good news is we wont face Bosnia (who will be lower seeds like ourselves) as they would be a massive threat.

**Hibs4Ever** · 10/10/2009, 9:09 PM

Originally Posted by cfdh_edmundo

Well we ARE in the playoffs now:

Here is the latest line up, barring a massive turnaround in Lisbon in the next 30 mins these are the teams in the play-offs:

Russia
Ukraine/Croatia
Bosnia
Greece/Swiss/Israel
France
Slovenia/Slovakia
Portugal*

Will almost certainly be Ukraine. their final game aganst Andorra

**Noelys Guitar** · 10/10/2009, 9:18 PM

watched the Russia v Germany game earlier and again was not overly impressed with the Russians. They have some excellent players but some very, very poor players as well. they created lots of chances against Germany but never really looked like scoring. I would fear Portugal and France more than the Russians. But none of them were good enough to qualify outright so who is to say plaing France is harder than Bosnia? I always prefer to play big named teams in decline rather than unkowns on the rise.

**A face** · 10/10/2009, 9:26 PM

We are fawked !!

The play off are a disaster for us. I head is saying we aint gonna get there, the heart is all we have to go on.

**Straightstory** · 10/10/2009, 9:31 PM

So... what dates are the play-offs?

**Deckydee** · 10/10/2009, 9:39 PM

Originally Posted by Straightstory

So... what dates are the play-offs?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2010_FI...A_Second_Round

**foureyes** · 10/10/2009, 10:15 PM

Originally Posted by Noelys Guitar

watched the Russia v Germany game earlier and again was not overly impressed with the Russians. They have some excellent players but some very, very poor players as well. they created lots of chances against Germany but never really looked like scoring. I would fear Portugal and France more than the Russians. But none of them were good enough to qualify outright so who is to say plaing France is harder than Bosnia? I always prefer to play big named teams in decline rather than unkowns on the rise.

bull****.

russia or greece we have a chance. maybe a glimmer against portugal.

i would say 100/1 against france.

**noddy102** · 10/10/2009, 10:58 PM

So, we're either playing Russia, Greece, Portugal or France?

Edit: Would it be fair to say that the English are ******* for losing tonight, and thus promoting Portugal to the seeded teams (or am I wrong)????

**Closed Account 2** · 10/10/2009, 11:04 PM

I think we would beat the French, they are in a real state under Domonech. Goalkeeper is a joke for them, Llloris or Manadana, neither are up to much. I would rather play France than Russia, Russia away in the Luzhniki is one of the hardest fixtures in international football.

But I think we have a reasonable chance, 50-50, as long as we are away in the first leg Trap will keep it tight and we could sneak it.

**Closed Account 2** · 10/10/2009, 11:21 PM

I've updated the table with current FIFA rankings:

Russia (6)
France (10)
*Greece (12) / Swiss (15)
Portugal (17)
----------------
Ukraine (25)
IRELAND (38)
Bosnia (46)
** Slovenia (54) / Slovakia (44)

*Even assuming Greece beat Luxemburg in Athens, Switerland only need a point home Israel to win group 2.
** Slovenia are away to San Marino, so Slovakia will have to win in Poland to maintain top spot in grp 3

I know technically not all of those teams I've listed on their own are confirmed runners up, but Russia, France, Bosnia, and ourselves are. Portugal only need to win vs Malta (home) and Ukraine only need to win vs Andorra (away).

Basically we will face one of Russia, France, Greece/Swiss or Portugal. It's difficult but not impossible against any of those teams. I would love to see us face the Swiss as I dont like them one bit and revenge for Euro 2008 and WC2006 would be nice (the latter could also apply to France) - but we would need to be ware as UEFA/FIFA tend to give a hidden helping hand to the Swiss and I could see a sloppy ref being picked in that one, and they will probably pick up a point home to Israel anyway.

**noddy102** · 10/10/2009, 11:24 PM

I want Portugal. Seeing Ronaldo cry would make my day when we knock them out.

**irishultra** · 10/10/2009, 11:25 PM

I hope we get France. Imagine Paris for the away leg!!!!!! Would be amazing.

**Closed Account 2** · 10/10/2009, 11:30 PM

Originally Posted by noddy102

So, we're either playing Russia, Greece, Portugal or France?

Edit: Would it be fair to say that the English are ******* for losing tonight, and thus promoting Portugal to the seeded teams (or am I wrong)????

Well had England not lost to Ukraine, Croatia would be in the playoff driving seat, they are 9th so would have bumped Portugal down to the second set of seeds. I dont think there is much between Portugal or Croatia, both would be tricky matches.

**Closed Account 2** · 10/10/2009, 11:31 PM

Originally Posted by irishultra

I hope we get France. Imagine Paris for the away leg!!!!!! Would be amazing.

I do too, but mainly because they are the weakest seeded team in that list apart from maybe Greece/Swiss.

**Stuttgart88** · 11/10/2009, 10:49 AM

I want Greece, then France / Poprtugal. I want to avoid Russia most.

**Wolfie** · 19/10/2009, 4:01 PM

Originally Posted by Wolfie

Certainly the least contentious approach.

If we get that far - we're going to draw France regardless.

I hate when I guess right - even before FIFA landed seedings on us!!!

**BonnieShels** · 24/10/2017, 11:47 PM

Originally Posted by irishultra

I hope we get France. Imagine Paris for the away leg!!!!!! Would be amazing.

Not that I want to bump a 8 year old thread but I happened across this earlier looking for something else and I just screamed internally seeing this post from irishultra.

Now let's never speak of it again.