Preliminary Draw of the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil

[Noelys Guitar]

We always do much better in tough groups. I don't know why that is but we do.

[DannyInvincible]

Tough draw, but could have been worse. What are Austria like? Are they dangerous? Sweden will be a tough team to beat both home and away, never mind Germany. Both teams' qualifying records are very impressive. I think it was mentioned that Sweden have qualified for 11 finals whilst Germany have qualified for 17.

The Faroes are probably the best we could have had from that pot. Haven't a clue what Kazakhstan are like.

Ronnie worried about dropping into the fourth or fifth pot if we don't start qualifying. Hehe, not sure about that, but we do need to qualify for something soon regardless.

[tetsujin1979]

first reaction is that I'd only swap our group for A, B or possibly E. So we didn't get a good draw, but not the worst draw either that's clearly Group I
Should beat all the lower seeds. As said above, we can beat Sweden, Sweden can beat us. Germany to top the group, it's what they do.
not ecstatic about it, not disappointed with it.

[paul_oshea]

Some great matches to look forward to. All our matches have been very close with Germany. Really like the group. Tough but Germany and Austria is a derby. Sweden can beat us and we can beat them. Austria are so-so. I believe I saw Delaney dancing on the table. Big TV deals for the FAI.

I thought all the money was now divided up....hence the FAI using it as their reasoning for having their debt paid off by 2020 at the AGM...

[tommy_c12000]

Unlucky to draw the Germans. We should be able to get 2nd. We can beat anyone at home (bar Spain) so you never know. All away games easily accesible for fans bar Kazakhstan. FAI have their money spinner in Germany and team have a realistic chance of qualifying. Overall happy with the draw. Could have been a lot worse

[Murfinator]

Swedens form lately has been poor so I think them as a 2nd seed is a relatively ok draw. Germany as about as tough as it gets, they quality year after year without fail. 2nd place is doable, lower seeds are very favourable.

[Noelys Guitar]

I thought all the money was now divided up....hence the FAI using it as their reasoning for having their debt paid off by 2020 at the AGM...

I believe its after 2014. The FAI will make a small fortune from the Germany games in TV rights and advertising.

[paul_oshea]

Lower seeds are favourable for all teams. the problem is beating germany and sweden at home.

[christo]

I would be bitterly disappointed if we didn't beat Sweden twice to be honest, don't know why everyone is rating them so high

[BonnieShels]

Ah nice to see the positivity again Paul.

England have a dodgy enough group finally.

[EastTerracer]

I thought all the money was now divided up....hence the FAI using it as their reasoning for having their debt paid off by 2020 at the AGM...

The UEFA money deal doesn't kick in until 2014 so this was the last draw the FAI had to worry about TV money supposedly. They will be delighted with Germany but I'm more concerned with our chances of qualifying.

[BonnieShels]

Ah nice to see the positivity again Paul.

England have a dodgy enough group finally.

England are 2/5 to qualify.

Jaysus!

[paul_oshea]

Ah nice to see the positivity again Paul.

England have a dodgy enough group finally.

The realism, not negativity BS. We need that around here god knows, with a lot of the pie in the sky stuff, and the regular posters getting carried away with themselves.

[sixesandsevens]

Have the Groups already been decided upon as to which runners-up will face who already? Might be getting ahead of myself but just heard on Sky Sports our Groups Runner-Ups are due to meet the Runners-Up in the France/Spain group any confirmation on that??

[Sullivinho]

Unlucky to draw the Germans. We should be able to get 2nd. We can beat anyone at home (bar Spain) so you never know. All away games easily accesible for fans bar Kazakhstan. FAI have their money spinner in Germany and team have a realistic chance of qualifying. Overall happy with the draw. Could have been a lot worse

I agree. Good assessment.