Ireland to stage three group games and a round of 16 game at Euro 2020

[Dodge]

40% comes down to the stadium itself. This would surely give Wales a significant edge over us.

Wales confident over Euro 2020 bid (http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/27173319)

That's if capacity is a large consideration. Aviva is the more modern stadium and may well outscore Cardiff in other areas (I don't know if it will, I'm just saying it isn't cut and dry that Cardiff leads on that score).

[jbyrne]

40% comes down to the stadium itself. This would surely give Wales a significant edge over us.

Wales confident over Euro 2020 bid (http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/27173319)

cardiff airport is very small and has just one terminal. id say this will count against them as will their lack of hotel accommodation which is both very scarce and a rip-off for the big sporting events it hosts

[Crosby87]

Do you chaps believe the most noteworthy Welsh person of all time is T.E. Lawrence?

Is this how it was when some of you chaps went to Poland? Check out this pic of a fan briefly on fire from this weekend:
http://deadspin.com/crazy-photo-soccer-fan-goes-up-in-flames-1568703646

[DeLorean]

Wembley looks set to host final and semi finals after an agreement with Germany. (http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/england-set-host-euro-2020-4159398)

Dublin and the rest will learn their fate on tomorrow fortnight, 19th September.

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

Am I the only person that thinks Croke Park is a very ugly stadium in terms of aesthetics?

[DeLorean]

I think it looks incomplete, because of Hill 16, but I wouldn't say ugly. Anyway, it's Lansdowne that has been put forward.

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

That is something we seem to specialise in, incomplete stadiums.

Half of them or three quarters of them look like decent enough stadiums and then the rest of it looks like a barn.

[bennocelt]

I think it looks incomplete, because of Hill 16, but I wouldn't say ugly. Anyway, it's Lansdowne that has been put forward.

Correct me if I am wrong but I heard yonks ago that they cant redevelop it as its a historic site, the rubble of 1916 and all? Is that true?

[DeLorean]

Don't think that was the reason. Think it's something to do with the railway line behind that side of the stadium and planning permission. As far I know it's only a myth that it was built from the the 1916 rubble anyway and that has been replaced a couple of times since in any case.

[DannyInvincible]

Am I the only person that thinks Croke Park is a very ugly stadium in terms of aesthetics?

That we have a stadium of its capacity/magnitude is seen as a national achievement of sorts - and who doesn't like to blow their own collective trumpet - but it does look incomplete, imbalanced and certainly is no more a thing of beauty than other functional stadia of similar size elsewhere.


Correct me if I am wrong but I heard yonks ago that they cant redevelop it as its a historic site, the rubble of 1916 and all? Is that true?

There's a row of houses on the Clonliffe Road behind the railway line. If the GAA wanted to expand Hill 16 to anything beyond the current single terrace, they'd have to purchase and demolish the houses. The railway line doesn't actually run in a direct parallel line with the end of the pitich either; that would add a further complication to expansion and is also why Hill 16 already looks a bit lop-sided anyway.

[Crosby87]

The Giants and Jets spent two billion on the new met life stadium that hosted the super bowl last year and it looks ugly as hell. I mean other than some well done modern architecture adorning the tops of some huge modern stadiums, and some well done baseball stadiums here like in Pittsburgh and San Francisco what is an example of a good looking stadium really? They are all kind of ugly, no?

[DeLorean]

That we have a stadium of its capacity/magnitude is seen as a national achievement of sorts - and who doesn't like to blow their own collective trumpet - but it does look incomplete, imbalanced and certainly is no more a thing of beauty than other functional stadia of similar size elsewhere.

It's a fine stadium I think and it could be argued that the 'incompleteness' gives it a bit more character, especially when Hill 16 is full for a big game.

The sense of achievement is strongly linked to the GAA being an amateur organisation, but the fact that there was such heavy government funding involved should dilute some of their pretentious glorification. It doesn't though.

[DannyInvincible]

It definitely adds character and atmosphere. If given a choice between seated or terracing at a sports event, I always go with the latter for atmosphere. I find it difficult to sit at peace at a football match. It seems almost counterintuitive to remain seated whilst in an agitated state.

[NeverFeltBetter]

http://www.uefa.com/MultimediaFiles/Download/competitions/General/02/14/49/29/2144929_DOWNLOAD.pdf

UEFA offers basic summation of bids for Euro 2020. Seems positive enough about Dublin, bar some concerns over parking near the stadium and media facilities inside it.

Edit: Just reading through some of the other bids. Jerusalem gets ripped to shreds, and they barely even mention the political situation in Israel.

I dunno, Wembley is obviously getting picked, that leaves 12 spots for 18 cities. Taking away the unlikelys - Jerusalem, Minsk, maybe Sofia and, given the political climate and how they're hosting the World Cup, Saint Petersburg - I think Ireland has a great shot.

[Stuttgart88]

I haven't read the above link but I read elsewhere that UEFA has concerns about the financial side of Scotland's bid. No backhanders promised maybe.

[Charlie Darwin]

http://www.uefa.com/MultimediaFiles/Download/competitions/General/02/14/49/29/2144929_DOWNLOAD.pdf

UEFA offers basic summation of bids for Euro 2020. Seems positive enough about Dublin, bar some concerns over parking near the stadium and media facilities inside it.

Edit: Just reading through some of the other bids. Jerusalem gets ripped to shreds, and they barely even mention the political situation in Israel.

I dunno, Wembley is obviously getting picked, that leaves 12 spots for 18 cities. Taking away the unlikelys - Jerusalem, Minsk, maybe Sofia and, given the political climate and how they're hosting the World Cup, Saint Petersburg - I think Ireland has a great shot.
Skopje looks to be out too. Too small, 1/3 of it is unseated and the infrastructure is non-existent.

It looks like we might benefit from the fact the last two tournaments have been split between countries - takes Poland, Ukraine, Austria and Switzerland out of it right away.

[NeverFeltBetter]

The report is fairly glowing about Baku, but the distance might be an issue for an actual tournament right? It's a long flight for teams that might have played a game three days before hand and have another one three days after.

I dunno, it just sort of seems to me like it would be more unlikely for Dublin not to be picked, but who knows what sort of backroom talks are going on with UEFA?

[Charlie Darwin]

The report suggests that we have less work to do than all but the major countries in order to bring it up to code, and I think the fact we've never had a major championships in football before will count for us as well. I'd be very surprised and disappointed if we didn't get it.

[SwanVsDalton]

Agreed. Plus Delaney really is a pro at this and appears to have made all the right moves. I'd be very surprised if we wern't included.

Just read the document, interesting stuff. The Baku bid sounds crazy - massive stadium, state-of-the-art training centres for free - but the government there appears to be very keen. UEFA appear to like the noises they're making quite a bit.

Jerusalem, Minsk and Skopje sound like they're out. Sofia too most likely. After that it's hard to say, but not sure if UEFA would pick England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales. Scotland or Wales to miss out.

[Charlie Darwin]

After that it's hard to say, but not sure if UEFA would pick England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales. Scotland or Wales to miss out.
I wouldn't be so sure on that. This is a big project for UEFA and it will be difficult to pull together without problems. Having a geographically-concentrated base in Ireland and the UK, with the finals in London, could appeal to them.

[BonnieShels]

Based on the evaluation there we are certs at the minute.

Two things though: Baku are hosting the European Games (http://www.baku2015.com/)(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2015_European_Games) next year so outside of distance they should be grand to be considered as one of the successful standard bids. It should also be noted that they have oil up the wazzu so cash isn't a problem. And UEFA like cash.

Parking shouldn't really be an issue given that most attendees would be tourists and we are an island as well as if we were to qualify most attendees would be from the island and getting to Dublin isn't too hard.

By the time this rolls around we hopefully will be prepping for RWC2023 as well... fingers crossed!

[Dodge]

Parking shouldn't really be an issue given that most attendees would be tourists and we are an island as well as if we were to qualify most attendees would be from the island and getting to Dublin isn't too hard.

Parking seems to be an issue for most cities.

[Stuttgart88]

Don't most of these tenders these days have some degree of environmental impact / ESG box to be ticked? Car Parking is unlikely to be a deal breaker in this context. The Aviva is a walk from the City centre which is probably unique. It's not like the champions league final in Istanbul in 2005 which was in the middle of nowhere and all the coaches suffered clutch failure due to the Alpe d'Huez style access roads.

[jbyrne]

the comment about transport from dublin airport being "multi nodal and modern" is a bit bizzare. its basically a few bus companys ferrying passeners into the city centre? not a rail or tram link in site.

[DeLorean]

That Aircoach is one comfy bus though

[Stuttgart88]

the comment about transport from dublin airport being "multi nodal and modern" is a bit bizzare. its basically a few bus companys ferrying passeners into the city centre? not a rail or tram link in site.

Yeah, but there's a tunnel!

[Dodge]

the comment about transport from dublin airport being "multi nodal and modern" is a bit bizzare. its basically a few bus companys ferrying passeners into the city centre? not a rail or tram link in site.

A lot of airports in Europe only have private transport so Dublin is actually decent in that respect

[jbyrne]

A lot of airports in Europe only have private transport so Dublin is actually decent in that respect

a few bus companies is hardly "multi-nodal" though. i cant wait to see a few thousand fans queuing for the aircoach on match day!

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

Does the report mention any concern about the fact that one of the main modes of transport is filthy and full of junkies? That parts of the city are inhospitable because of junkies?

I mean every time I have been in Dublin I have had to have eyes in the back of my head because of them. They are everywhere on Grafton Street and O'Connell Street - and those are our main streets! God help you if you are a smoker.

[Dodge]

Does the report mention any concern about the fact that one of the main modes of transport is filthy and full of junkies? That parts of the city are inhospitable because of junkies?

I mean every time I have been in Dublin I have had to have eyes in the back of my head because of them. They are everywhere on Grafton Street and O'Connell Street - and those are our main streets! God help you if you are a smoker.
Enjoy living in your locked basement with your gun beside you...

[ArdeeBhoy]

Does the report mention any concern about the fact that one of the main modes of transport is filthy and full of junkies? That parts of the city are inhospitable because of junkies?

I mean every time I have been in Dublin I have had to have eyes in the back of my head because of them. They are everywhere on Grafton Street and O'Connell Street - and those are our main streets! God help you if you are a smoker.
Load of pish.

As for 2020, given the flawed brand & concept UEFA are becoming, seriously who cares?

The tourism € would be good but really don't care either way. And Croke is a better stadium than the New Lansdowne anyway.

[DeLorean]

As well as the tourism, I think there's a feel good factor attached. That might be an alien concept to a cynic like yourself, but I think the majority of people like the thought of our little nation being part of a high profile event. It's far from the end of the world if it doesn't happen but it would be nice if it did. Who knows, by the time it comes around it might give you that warm fuzzy feeling inside :)

I don't see the relevance of CP being a better stadium.

[jbyrne]

And Croke is a better stadium than the New Lansdowne anyway.

all a matter of opinion but not for football imo. far too far away from the pitch in many CP seats. much closer to the action in lansdowne

[Bungle]

Does the report mention any concern about the fact that one of the main modes of transport is filthy and full of junkies? That parts of the city are inhospitable because of junkies?

I mean every time I have been in Dublin I have had to have eyes in the back of my head because of them. They are everywhere on Grafton Street and O'Connell Street - and those are our main streets! God help you if you are a smoker.

There is a very bad problem with junkies, homelessness in the city etc but it doesn't seem to bother any of the tourists which I have spoken to. They all can't say enough good things about Dublin and what a great city it is. All isn't perfect with Dublin and there's lots I'd like changed, but it is a great place. I think we have a great chance of getting games and while I'm not one of JD's biggest fans, I do think that he will have the UEFA crew eating out of his hand.

[pineapple stu]

It's a far bigger problem in other cities - Köln for one, which hosted Germany v Ireland last year. Nobody commented on it then.

[DeLorean]

I think we have a great chance of getting games and while I'm not one of JD's biggest fans, I do think that he will have the UEFA crew eating out of his hand.

http://cdn3.independent.ie/migration_catalog/article25280631.ece/3dbed/ALTERNATES/h342/enda-keeny

[ArdeeBhoy]

I don't see the relevance of CP being a better stadium.


all a matter of opinion but not for football imo. far too far away from the pitch in many CP seats. much closer to the action in lansdowne

The touchline seats maybe, but been in the ones in the top tier in both grounds and Croke is a far superior stadium in terms of both access and view.

That said, UEFA can GTF. Hopefully we'll host Israel and they'll be met with a wall of Palestinian flags...

[Charlie Darwin]

Whatever about the football being played, Croke Park as a football stadium was poor for all involved. The Aviva isn't perfect but it's a much tighter space, the pitch is more reasonably-sized and fans are closer to the pitch. Maybe I was just unlucky, but the move to Croke Park meant my block booking went from fairly decent seats in the east upper to freezing seats in the nosebleed section of Croker and was one of factors in me not bothering to renew.

[ArdeeBhoy]

In the Upper Tiers, the view in CP is definitely superior. Though granted the NL is closer to the pitch.
Loved the old ground, but the new one has a rank 'atmosphere', in the main.

[Charlie Darwin]

The old ground had the 'Lansdowne roar' but it was a kip. Personally, I think the further you are away from the action, the worse the view. The small pitch doesn't help either, creates the illusion you're even further away.

[Stuttgart88]

I was watching the European qualifiers roundup on Sky and was very envious of the number of compact 30k seater purpose-built footy stadiums in use, with every seat close to the pitch.

[Crosby87]

Personally, I think the further you are away from the action, the worse the view.

No kidding, Charlie? Any other thoughts today? :D

[ArdeeBhoy]

Next week Chas switches his attention to, er, rocket science.

[Crosby87]

No, that new surgery at the Mayo Clinic where they can take part of the brain out of you (hopefully not TOWKS) and get rid of cancer and put the brain back in. (Hopefully not TOWKS). Thats poor Charlie. Whom I Love.

[ArdeeBhoy]

Yer posts are beyond abstract...

[gastric]

Yer posts are beyond abstract...

However, in relation to TOWK, it would be a good thing!

[Charlie Darwin]

No kidding, Charlie? Any other thoughts today? :D
It's a serious point :( Sometimes your view gets better as you move away from the action.

[jbyrne]

Loved the old ground, but the new one has a rank 'atmosphere', in the main.

thats more to do with the fans / lack of fans these days than the stadium. the poles created a super atmosphere last year and that was only a friendly

[NeverFeltBetter]

Was in Aviva for the FAI Cup Final last year, half-empty or more, but the atmosphere was great, largely thanks to the Sligo fans. It can be done.

[ArdeeBhoy]

Actually alot more to do with poxy all-seaters, but credit to the Poles & Sligo fans. But 2 out of around 50 teams that have played there is pretty fecking poor.