Euro 2012 Finals - General Discussion

[SwanVsDalton]

Not sure where to put this but hopefully we can add a few more 'memorable games' to this list next summer. Some BIG omissions IMO....

http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/blog/2011/nov/18/joy-of-six-republic-ireland-football

Too big to post whole article on here.

He obviously avoided some of the big 90's games and quite rightly too - I didn't know the Brazil tour story and had totally forgotten about the McQuaid one. Really enjoyed it, good debate about what else could be on there.

[mark12345]

Just watching Norwich v Arsenal. Remind me again someone, please, why it is Trap doesn't play Hoolahan. The boy is far and away (over the horizon) better than either Whelan or Andrews.

[Closed Account 2]

I think he's happy with Whelan and Andrews in the system he plays. McGeady and Duff are very attacking focused, although of late they have been much more involved in tracking back etc (esp. McGeady), Robbie Keane often drops back into almost an advanced midfielder role when we dont have possession at times. Having two defensively minded midfielders (i.e. cautious ones who tend to play safe passes) gives protection to our back line. Andrews is also a threat from set pieces, and a decent headerer of the ball. Hoolahan is technically better than both but I think Trap might think it's a risk to play him. Also Andrews and Whelan (when both fit) seem to have a good understanding with each other, and when another midfielder starts (e.g. Paul Green home vs Russia) we look at bit shaky. I'd have Hoolahan in the squad though, ahead of McCarthy or Gibson at the moment.

[Handy]

Just watching Norwich v Arsenal. Remind me again someone, please, why it is Trap doesn't play Hoolahan. The boy is far and away (over the horizon) better than either Whelan or Andrews.

Agreed that he's a far better ball player but Edmundo makes solid points about the current midfield roles and shape, along with possibly compromising the solidity of the midfield as it is.

Hopefully he'll get a run in the friendlies and makes the most of the opportunity when he gets it. If he showed well at all he'd be my joint favourite midfield "backup" (for now) along with Fahey.

[mypost]

Just watching Norwich v Arsenal. Remind me again someone, please, why it is Trap doesn't play Hoolahan. The boy is far and away (over the horizon) better than either Whelan or Andrews.

Before last month, he was known as that "LOI/Shelbourne reject", now people are demanding he play on the back of two good league games. Anyone could play for us on the back of that.

The squad won't change much between now and the next qualifiers. It rarely does. Coach's prefer to stick to what they know at this stage.

[Stuttgart88]

Just watching Norwich v Arsenal. Remind me again someone, please, why it is Trap doesn't play Hoolahan. The boy is far and away (over the horizon) better than either Whelan or Andrews.I've a great idea. Why don't you start a thread on this topic?

[Charlie Darwin]

Before last month, he was known as that "LOI/Shelbourne reject", now people are demanding he play on the back of two good league games. Anyone could play for us on the back of that.
I don't remember anyone saying that.

Hoolahan is just unlucky. I think Trap is wrong not to have him in the squad, but the fact is that the only person he can replace is Robbie and he's just not the same class of player. I think he should still be in the squad because he'd be a better option in a 4-5-1 than McCarthy, but Trap's obviously not interested.

[tommy_c12000]

An uncharacteristic positive article in the Independent on the change of Ireland's fortunes:

http://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/silencing-the-chorus-of-boos-2940131.html

[cavan_fan]

Not sure where to put this but hopefully we can add a few more 'memorable games' to this list next summer. Some BIG omissions IMO....

http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/blog/2011/nov/18/joy-of-six-republic-ireland-football

Too big to post whole article on here.

I thought this was a great list. The stories of all of our finals matches is well trodden. A comparison of the players in the 82 campaign with the players available now shows both how wel Trap has done and how much wasted potential there was in the Hand era.

[French Toasht]

Our fans got to Russia and Armenia. They'll have to find some way of getting to Brazil in 3 years time. Ukraine will be a laugh by comparison.

When we played Russia and Armenia, we were the only opposition fans vying for accomodation, transport etc. We didn't have to travel between stadia 20 hours apart. In Ukraine you will be competing with 15 other nations fans along with the many neutrals who will show up aswell. Read the article, it says Ukraine's accomodation and transport situation is dire. Their stadia may be up to scratch but the infrastructure is still stuck in the Communist days.

Like I said previously, lets just hope we are in a group based in Poland.

[BonnieShels]

When we played Russia and Armenia, we were the only opposition fans vying for accomodation, transport etc. We didn't have to travel between stadia 20 hours apart. In Ukraine you will be competing with 15 other nations fans along with the many neutrals who will show up aswell. Read the article, it says Ukraine's accomodation and transport situation is dire. Their stadia may be up to scratch but the infrastructure is still stuck in the Communist days.

Like I said previously, lets just hope we are in a group based in Poland.

We'll be vying with 7 nations' fans in fact. Still gonna be a toughy.

[IsMiseSean]

Since we're in pot 4 are we guaranteed to be drawn in position 4 in the group?
For example, if we get drawn in Group B our first two games would take place in Lviv and the final game in Kharkiv?

[SwanVsDalton]

Since we're in pot 4 are we guaranteed to be drawn in position 4 in the group?
For example, if we get drawn in Group B our first two games would take place in Lviv and the final game in Kharkiv?

No position in the group is drawn also. We could be 2, 3 or 4.

[mypost]

When we played Russia and Armenia, we were the only opposition fans vying for accomodation, transport etc. We didn't have to travel between stadia 20 hours apart. In Ukraine you will be competing with 15 other nations fans along with the many neutrals who will show up aswell. Read the article, it says Ukraine's accomodation and transport situation is dire. Their stadia may be up to scratch but the infrastructure is still stuck in the Communist days.

Like I said previously, lets just hope we are in a group based in Poland.

In Poland or Ukraine, we'll be vying with 6 other nations for accommodation, and only 2 others in the group venues themselves. If we are D2, all our group games will be in Kiev, so we can base ourselves there for the week.

Ukraine has nicer cities, bigger stadiums, more tickets available, and cheaper costs of living. The accommodation costs are an issue, but that's to be expected for such an event, and it's pretty much the same in Poland also. As regards the infrastructure, everything will be fine come the tournament. Airport terminals are being added or renovated, new high speed rail links are being built, and will be ready in time. There's usually panic articles written about unglamourous areas that stage sports events, only to discover when you turn up, that it's not anywhere near as bad as it's made out to be. That's journalism for you.

If you want to go to major tournaments, you have to be prepared to travel, sometimes long distances. The WC is in Brazil. Some of the venues are 3,000kms apart, and will make the odd trek across Poland or Ukraine look a spin.

[ArdeeBhoy]

Hmm, that's one way of looking at it...

[BonnieShels]

I have never come across someone with such negative optimism as mypost. It's quite something.

[IsMiseSean]

Has anyone used the UEFA ticket portal on their website? What are the chances of getting a ticket this way?

[BonnieShels]

No harm in registering. Seems like you are gonna have to register anyway come the draw.

[DeLorean]

In Poland or Ukraine, we'll be vying with 6 other nations for accommodation, and only 2 others in the group venues themselves. If we are D2, all our group games will be in Kiev, so we can base ourselves there for the week.

Ukraine has nicer cities, bigger stadiums, more tickets available, and cheaper costs of living. The accommodation costs are an issue, but that's to be expected for such an event, and it's pretty much the same in Poland also. As regards the infrastructure, everything will be fine come the tournament. Airport terminals are being added or renovated, new high speed rail links are being built, and will be ready in time. There's usually panic articles written about unglamourous areas that stage sports events, only to discover when you turn up, that it's not anywhere near as bad as it's made out to be. That's journalism for you.

If you want to go to major tournaments, you have to be prepared to travel, sometimes long distances. The WC is in Brazil. Some of the venues are 3,000kms apart, and will make the odd trek across Poland or Ukraine look a spin.

Good points. However, it would seem to me that Group B is the one to avoid. Kharkiv and Lviv are the furthest distance apart of any two group venues and have the smallest capacities also... 39,000 and 35,000 respectively.

[Crosby87]

MP Why do you say Ukraine has nicer cities? Just curious. It seems like different people base that on different ****.
Has anyone else been to Poland and noticed in the summer they put strawberries in everything? You have to like strawberries to go to Poland in the summer.

[Loopj]

I think any group in this tournament is going to be very tough, it looks like the best of European football is going to be there. We will have to go on the offensive to get anywhere past the group stage.

[Hale]

The draw is next Friday at 5.00 right?

Does anyone know will that mean they will talk rubbish for the first 30 minutes than draw the balls?

As im working i can only take a short 15 min break just to see the actual draw.

Any ideas what time exactly?

[Charlie Darwin]

They always talk rubbish for at least half an hour.

[Bayern Munchies]

Get somebody who is watching the draw to text you just as the draw is about to start?

[IsMiseSean]

The draw is next Friday at 5.00 right?

Does anyone know will that mean they will talk rubbish for the first 30 minutes than draw the balls?

As im working i can only take a short 15 min break just to see the actual draw.

Any ideas what time exactly?

Its not starting on RTE until 5.30 so I presume they're replacing the UEFA rubbish talk with a 2 minute segment of Richard Sadlier talking rubbish just before the draw starts...