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

[seanfhear]

^^^^^^^^

Is that enough to guarantee automatic qualification for the Tournament .

[DeLorean]

So should we manage to qualify, we'll be in the same group as Spain - https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/soccer/international/ireland-certain-to-face-spain-if-both-qualify-for-euro-2020-1.3319534

[geysir]

So should we manage to qualify, we'll be in the same group as Spain - https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/soccer/international/ireland-certain-to-face-spain-if-both-qualify-for-euro-2020-1.3319534
A predetermined euro final group opponent based on some venue pairing? that one takes the biscuit. The Euro finals format have been taken over by engineers, cautious of devious interventions like risk factors.
Though when it comes to the countdown time for working out the complicated permutations which might allow or work against a team getting into a play off position, the chaos theory will surely prevail.

[DeLorean]

A predetermined euro final group opponent based on some venue pairing?

Yeah, it would sit a bit better with me if the pairings were just drawn randomly. "Sporting strength" and "geographical considerations" appear a bit flimsy and open to exploitation. If logistics were really considered that important it's a bit mad that Baku was chosen in the first place.

[Kingdom]

Yeah, it would sit a bit better with me if the pairings were just drawn randomly. "Sporting strength" and "geographical considerations" appear a bit flimsy and open to exploitation. If logistics were really considered that important it's a bit mad that Baku was chosen in the first place.

Baku was chosen because the money that the Azeri's are pumping into football (however questionable) is incredible. Ever see the SOCAR ads floating around some of the grounds? That's the Azeri gas afaik.

[BonnieShels]

Yeah, it would sit a bit better with me if the pairings were just drawn randomly. "Sporting strength" and "geographical considerations" appear a bit flimsy and open to exploitation. If logistics were really considered that important it's a bit mad that Baku was chosen in the first place.

And paired with ROME!

[DeLorean]

And paired with ROME!

Well I'd say Rome is one of the 'closest' of the selected cities, give or take. Bucharest/Budapest probably the only two that would be significantly closer to Baku but I suppose that's where the "sporting strength" criteria kicked in!

[DeLorean]

Baku was chosen because the money that the Azeri's are pumping into football (however questionable) is incredible.

No doubt.

[geysir]

Azeris can pump.

Atletico's new mission statement, "Atletico Madrid - Much more than a Sponsorship"