European Championships - France 2016

[eekers]

There's a lot of talk in the media along the lines of "get 3rd get out of the group and anything could happen"

Looking at the draw if we get 3rd we play either the winner of France's group or the winner of Spain's group. So a trip straight home is what actually happens.

2nd in the group will get us the winner of the Portugal, Austria, Iceland, Hungary group.

1st in the group will get us 2nd in the Spain, Croatia, Turkey, Czech Rep group.

We really have to be aiming at getting second in the group. Thats 5 or 4 points minimum.

[SwanVsDalton]

There's a lot of talk in the media along the lines of "get 3rd get out of the group and anything could happen"

Looking at the draw if we get 3rd we play either the winner of France's group or the winner of Spain's group. So a trip straight home is what actually happens.

2nd in the group will get us the winner of the Portugal, Austria, Iceland, Hungary group.

1st in the group will get us 2nd in the Spain, Croatia, Turkey, Czech Rep group.

We really have to be aiming at getting second in the group. Thats 5 or 4 points minimum.

To be fair I'd characterise a lot of the media talk as simply being we can get out of the group in third. As you say, if at all possible we'd want to be avoiding third. Beating the Swedes is a must in that regard.

After four years ago though, I'm not thinking much beyond trying to get out of the group meself.

[gastric]

Really looking forward to the absolute confusion among European journalists with two Irish teams and two M O'Neills. Might be some cringeworthy interviews ahead.

[tricky_colour]

Right so if you get 3rd you go through to the knockout stage?

Is that correct? Normally it is 1st and 2nd only?

[tricky_colour]

Yes it is right, just to be first to answer my own question.


As hosts, France qualify automatically for a tournament that takes place between 10 June and 10 July 2016. They will be joined by 23 qualifiers and the teams will be drawn into groups of four, with the six group winners, six group runners-up and the four best third-placed teams advancing to the round of 16 when it becomes a knockout competition.

[Charlie Darwin]

Yeah, there's 24 teams and 16 go through to the knockouts, so there are four extra teams after the usual first and second.

[pineapple stu]

To be fair I'd characterise a lot of the media talk as simply being we can get out of the group in third.
I think it's also the fact that we took four points off the Germans in qualifying, which means in a knock-out, we can in theory beat anyone. And it's never been easier to get to the knock-outs.

[DannyInvincible]

Walters talking about his injury:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qRsz7O2boZA

Basically says he had an operation on his knee seven weeks ago and when you come back, you tend to have some secondary issues. Tendinitis flares up on the training ground and he had a bit in both Achilles so he just wanted to use a break from training to settle it down rather than going into the week before the game with problems.

If it flares up due to training, what will three games (and training) in the space of just over week do for it? Slightly worrying?

[Charlie Darwin]

Walters talking about his injury:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qRsz7O2boZA

Basically says he had an operation on his knee seven weeks ago and when you come back, you tend to have some secondary issues. Tendinitis flares up on the training ground and he had a bit in both Achilles so he just wanted to use a break from training to settle it down rather than going into the week before the game with problems.

If it flares up due to training, what will three games (and training) in the space of just over week do for it? Slightly worrying?
Well he did play 90 minutes as well, so it's not like it was only training.

[DannyInvincible]

Fair point, although we will want him for at least 270 minutes potentially on top of training over the next fortnight or so.

[Stuttgart88]

He'll be fine. In international footy the media report on every session like it's newsworthy in itself. In club football if a player sits out training for a bit during the week it's not a story. This is a guy used to managing injury.

[elroy]

There's a lot of talk in the media along the lines of "get 3rd get out of the group and anything could happen"

Looking at the draw if we get 3rd we play either the winner of France's group or the winner of Spain's group. So a trip straight home is what actually happens.

2nd in the group will get us the winner of the Portugal, Austria, Iceland, Hungary group.

1st in the group will get us 2nd in the Spain, Croatia, Turkey, Czech Rep group.

We really have to be aiming at getting second in the group. Thats 5 or 4 points minimum.

I'd snap your hand off for four points. Most realistic is two to three points. Sweden game is critical. A point is a minimum. It would mean us going into the last game still in with a chance. Italy are no great shakes these days and maybe just maybe we could win there if needed. Easier route would obviously be to beat Sweden and then pick up a point or two in other two games.

[backstothewall]

I have this feeling that we'll do an Italia 90 and go through on 3 draws.

[Banchini]

Hi all

Hoping to go one of the games in France, last minute thing...

Can anyone advise what the craic is with second hand tickets from places like ticketbis or viagogo in terms of named tickets ?

Never purchased through secondary market before so no clue how it works, are you allowed in with a ticket with another persons name on it? Will they ask for ID etc...

Any help appreciated before I shell out £150-200 quid...

[paul_oshea]

Maybe this is better here:
http://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/euro-2016/eamonn-sweeney-to-the-day-i-die-i-will-remember-the-roar-that-went-up-at-236pm-on-june-12-1988-34772926.html

[paul_oshea]

Yes it is right, just to be first to answer my own question.

You didnt answer your question correctly, nor did CD. 2 of those finishing 3rd will not qualify for the knockout stages.

[geysir]

To be fair I'd characterise a lot of the media talk as simply being we can get out of the group in third. As you say, if at all possible we'd want to be avoiding third. Beating the Swedes is a must in that regard.

After four years ago though, I'm not thinking much beyond trying to get out of the group meself.
I'm not thinking much past the all important first game, except for the thought that none of the likely possible opponent choices in the last 16, look very appealing.

[Stuttgart88]

Keane trained today, strapped up. Walters to sit out today and tomorrow, to be assessed next in France, although O'Neill says he is feeling much better. I think Brady sat out today.

All from journalists like McDonnell on Twitter

[paul_oshea]

I'm not thinking much past the all important first game, except for the thought that none of the likely possible opponent choices in the last 16, look very appealing.

Funny, I feel if we get to the knockout stages we will do better against a top 10 side than in the group stages.

Caveat injuries.

[Stuttgart88]

Have faith in your predictions Paul. You usually do!

[DeLorean]

Hi all

Hoping to go one of the games in France, last minute thing...

Can anyone advise what the craic is with second hand tickets from places like ticketbis or viagogo in terms of named tickets ?

Never purchased through secondary market before so no clue how it works, are you allowed in with a ticket with another persons name on it? Will they ask for ID etc...

Any help appreciated before I shell out £150-200 quid...

My friend purchased one for the Sweden game off Viagogo. It delivered really quickly actually. I don't think it matters what name is on the ticket, mine just say 'Football Association of Ireland' so ID won't be of much use! Plus one persons name will be on all of the tickets they've purchased through UEFA, but their mates will be the ones using most of them, so the names obviously won't match there either.

[backstothewall]

We got sorted last week for Sweden tickets. Got a good deal on a hotel with Ibis if you need somewhere to stay. Not on any of the comparison sites but we paid £40stg per night for a room

[shakermaker1982]

Stick with Viagogo and you will be fine.

If you are looking for accomodation then have a look on Airbnb.

[DannyInvincible]

The squad just touched down in France: https://twitter.com/FAIreland/status/740570729842941952

Here they were setting off from Dublin in the obligatory suits:

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ckbx7E0WUAATaYM.jpg:large

[nigel-harps1954]

I like the way they're standing in order of goalkeepers, defenders, attackers, then vice captain and captain along with coaches.

All except Seamus Coleman who seems to think he's a striker.

[geysir]

it might have been mentioned before but I have just read Westwood's comments (http://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/euro-2016/kieren-westwood-dismisses-accusations-about-commitment-and-rift-with-martin-oneill-34766143.html) about the preparation for euro 2012

"We were training for a good four weeks before the actual tournament and by the time it came around we were f**king wrecked because it was a long season."We were up in Montecatini, we were in Dublin... We were wrecked, that's the truth. But listen, we had good times. Every manager is different."

[Lionel Ritchie]

The squad just touched down in France: https://twitter.com/FAIreland/status/740570729842941952

Here they were setting off from Dublin in the obligatory suits:

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ckbx7E0WUAATaYM.jpg:large

Navy suits, green ties and brown shoes? That's a bit queer. :eek:

[tetsujin1979]

RTE have made every qualifier available on the player: http://www.rte.ie/player/ie/collection/792175-qualifying/

[Stuttgart88]

I see Spain lost at home to Georgia in their last warm up game.

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

I think Belgium are the only team we should be fearing.

We really should be looking at 3-4 points from Sweden and Italy.

Italy are a shadow of the team they were. Antonio Candreva is their best player for goodness sake.

We have plenty of experience playing Italy. We know what they are about. I wouldn't read anything into losing a dead rubber in 2012 (they looked bang average in that match also).

[TrapAPony]

I think Belgium are the only team we should be fearing.

We really should be looking at 3-4 points from Sweden and Italy.

Italy are a shadow of the team they were. Antonio Candreva is their best player for goodness sake.

We have plenty of experience playing Italy. We know what they are about. I wouldn't read anything into losing a dead rubber in 2012 (they looked bang average in that match also).

That is if they click. They seem like a team of individuals rather than an actual 'team' ...I also think their defence is average enough as it is..

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/euro-2016-kit-power-rankings-8106597#rlabs=1%20rt$category%20p$5

Ireland's jersey ranked 23 out of 24 in terms of aesthetics.

[Banchini]

Thanks for all the advice ...decided to bite the bullet and bought via Ticketbis, against my better judgement after reading trust pilot but at this late stage the prices were nuts for a reasonable seat... however so far so good, ticket delivery was very fast, took literally 1 day from purchase to arrive... missed ticket delivery today from UPS so hopefully have in my hand tomorrow !... forkin expensive but its only once every 20 years so no big deal :-)

I live in London and travelling solo and wondered if anyone else in the same boat, be good to have some fellow Padwans to cry into a beer afterwards when the MANU forker ..... yes Ibrahimthedic scores a hat trick against us....

[paul_oshea]

I think the key to getting out of the group is keeping the squad fresh and injury free. If we can stick with pretty much the first 11 plus 2(any 2) then I think we will make it out of the group. But any injuries or any cards or tiredness and we are screwed.

[tetsujin1979]

I think the key to getting out of the group is keeping the squad fresh and injury free. If we can stick with pretty much the first 11 plus 2(any 2) then I think we will make it out of the group. But any injuries or any cards or tiredness and we are screwed.
Good thing you said that, I was hoping the management was keeping them exhausted and crippled

[BonnieShels]

Dublin Airport is lit with the GAWA.

Obviously our boys are so used to tournament football that we don't have to display our colours and make it clear that we're the more sophisticated team on the island.

[Closed Account]

Long (49th) and Brady (50th) have done well on the UEFA player index of how the 552 players involved have played since January. No other Irish in top 100.
http://www.uefa.com/uefaeuro/season=2016/players/index.html

Sweden (1) : Ibrahimovic (2nd)
Italy (8): Barzagli (39th), Bonucci (41st), El Shaarawy (42nd), Florenzi (58th), Buffon (60th), Parolo (66th), Candreva (74th), Pelle (98th)
Belgium (6): De Bruyne (47th), Mertens (54th), Alderweireld (68th), Mignolet (73rd), Hazard (82nd), Nainggolan (97th)

Goalkeepers: Westwood (25/66), Randolph (42/66), Given (56/66) (why did they only rank 66 and not 72?)
Full Backs: Brady (9/82), Christie (22/82), Coleman (26/82), Ward (28/82)
Central Defenders: Duffy (14/96), Clark (24/96), Keogh (32/96), O'Shea (75/96)
Defensive Midfielders: We don't have any according to UEFA (0/48)
Central Midfielders: McCarthy (18/56), Whelan (19/56), Quinn (35/56), Meyler (50/56)
Attacking Midfielders: Hoolahan (24/40)
Wingers: Walters (25/67), McClean (28/67), McGeady (67/67)
Forwards: Long (10/85), Keane (29/85), Murphy (62/85)

Hendrick fails to get a rating.., they've somehow missed 12 players.

Uefa Irish team based on ratings:
Westwood;
Christie, Duffy, Clark, Brady;
Whelan;
Walters, McCarthy, Hoolahan, McClean;
Long.

Hoolahan (74th) and Coleman (90th) join Brady(60th) in the top 100 whilst Long drops out. Hendrick and McGeady also improve overall.
http://www.uefa.com/uefaeuro/season=2016/players/index.html

Goalkeepers: Westwood (31/68), Randolph (42/68), Given (60/68)
Full Backs: Brady (8/82), Coleman (16/82), Christie (39/82), Ward (45/82)
Central Defenders: Duffy (29/99), Keogh (56/99), Clark (70/99), O'Shea (80/99)
Central Midfielders: Whelan (14/57), Hendrick (25/57), McCarthy (26/57), Quinn (41/57), Meyler (55/57)
Attacking Midfielders: Hoolahan (12/41)
Wingers: Walters (25/67), McClean (43/67), McGeady (65/67)
Forwards: Long (15/86), Keane (41/86), Murphy (67/86)

[thischarmingman]

Love these:

http://www.newstalk.com/FAI-remind-fans-that-theres-plenty-homegrown-talent-in-this-current-batch-of-players-

[Stuttgart88]

...except for the way Shane Long wears his socks :)

[pineapple stu]

Of the 24 countries in the Euros, only one has fewer home-grown players. Most have at least twice as many as we do. But well done to the FAI for turning that into a positive.

[Stuttgart88]

But it's a sign of improvement? I liked it.

[pineapple stu]

It's a sign of improvement about ten years ago, when most of those players were LoI.

Since then, we've regressed - Towell may end up being the next Hoolahan, but who else?

And the big problem is the FAI still don't seem to have grasped that if they supported the LoI better, it'd generate more players like this.

I guess I'm just grumpy in general when it comes to the FAI. :) It just feels like they think 8 ex-LoI players in the squad is great, when in fact it's ****-poor.

[Stuttgart88]

is it **** poor that 4 nailed on starters Whelan, Brady, Hendrick, Randolph (also Given but ages ago!) all came through the system one way or another but didn't play LOI? I see your point but I think it's good that we have 8 ex-LOI guys in or very close to the team (plus Forde) in addition to home-grown talent from the schoolboy clubs.

[pineapple stu]

The LoI compared very badly to the league of pretty much every other country in the Euros.

Even the other recent LoI internationals - Forde, as you say, Doyle, Sammon, Fahey - all ten years gone out of the league. All played when there was relatively big money in the league - it wasn't sustainable, granted - but I don't think it's coincidental.

We used to rely on the English league to produce our players, but we can't do that any more. I don't think it's a coincidence that the national team's fortunes have declined as Irish players get squeezed out of the Premiership, and I think we'll decline even further with the LoI not really producing players any more (because the budget has gone way down)

I wouldn't mind the photo if the FAI were doing something about the matter - but they're not.

[Stuttgart88]

Forrester?

[pineapple stu]

Maybe, yep.

But neither he nor Towell has a cap yet - for every player in that photo, there was another good LoI player who went over at the same time and never got a cap. John O'Flynn, Michael Reddy, Gary Dicker, Seán Dillon, Richie Foran, Alan Bennett (well, he was capped, but in the Lapira tour, so that hardly counts), Roy O'Donovan, Brian Murphy. Forrester and Towell could yet go either way.

But there's clearly nowhere near that talent at home now. That's not a good thing.

[Stuttgart88]

Another ex-LOI goalscorer today. He hasn't played there for a while though so it's not a good ad for the league :)

[pineapple stu]

I think you're missing the point Stutts - rare for you!

The 8 players in the squad indicates progress in the league ten years ago.

Ten years from now, if there's 8 ex-LoI players in the squad, we'll have a very poor team.

Unless the league makes progress.

A domestic league should be regularly turning out international-standard players - most of the countries in the Euros got 20+ of their squad from their domestic league - but ours isn't any more.

So the FAI are bigging up what once was a functioning league (from that point of view), while ignoring the fact that they've done nothing to keep it being a functional league.

[SwanVsDalton]

PStu, you're absolutely right about the FAI. But I don't think a few cute photos that at least recognise the league's existence is the grounds for this argument, even if I get your frustration.

The FAI has been chronically poor custodians of the local game, but if they didn't take the opportunity to nod towards the local league at an auspicous occasion like this they'd be flagellated.

It doesn't cause me too much whiplash to say I both liked the photos and the FAI are a bunch of incompetent, do-nothing backslappers. :)

[pineapple stu]

PStu, you're absolutely right about the FAI. But I don't think a few cute photos that at least recognise the league's existence is the grounds for this argument, even if I get your frustration.
I don't really agree I'm afraid!

I like the photos. They look cool, and if Sammo was in the squad, they'd be even better. :)

But it's dangerous to normalise the idea that 8 of 23 players starting their careers in the domestic league is in any way good. It's awful. I think Iceland had 21 of their players start in the Icelandic league, for example. 8 of the 9 Albanian-born Albanians started at home.

I think a photo showing this off as great is the exact time to highlight how it's actually awful. While still appreciating the photos.