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Yeah - a large wedge of reality reading between the lines there!
Edit: This post was in reply to Hibs4Ever, in agreement with Stan's last line. The Germans will be tough and Stan has also publicly noted that the Czech Rep. are favourites.....so Stan knows it will be tough
However, in another way it could be a reply to Den Perry......still harping on with what-ifs for the Stan's job:confused: ;)
Its as good as a draw that could be expected. Ireland need to get as many points as possible evn if don't qualify as might get better seeding next time then. Germany one of weakest 2nd seeds & all 1st seeds bar Greece are strong.
Scotland can't qualify already with france, Italy & the Ukraine.
And without losing a match either!Quote:
Originally Posted by Staunton
I see Sir Bobford's influence is already showing. :D
People are deluding themselves if they think that there is a slight gap between us and Wales.I've seen Wales about 8 times in the last 3 years, and there is no way they are anything close to as good a team as Ireland, even with Irelands recent failings
View From the Welsh Forums
Being 5th seeds we couldn't realistically have done much better.
San Marino - as certain a 6 points as you get in European qualifiacation football. That's more than half our overall total last time out. Great destination.
Cyprus - our 1-0 thrashing out there will dispel an illusions that this will be a walkover (not a bad thing given the management's casual attitude to Azerbaijan and Northern Ireland last time) - but six points are not unrealistic. Excellent destination for fans and team alike.
Republic of Ireland - new inexperienced manager, team in flux. Not easy by any stretch of the imagination. A win and a defeat might not be bad as far as overall qualification is concerned. Excellent destination for fans and team alike. Good money spinner as well.
Slovakia - not to be underestimated, they're not third seeds for nothing. But again I see no reason why we can't take points off them. Hopefully, they'll take points off the Czech Republic.
Czech Republic - the key team in this group - as we're really fighting for second place. A formidable test, but with an ageing team and players like Nedved on the way out not as bad as it looks. Beatable. Excellent destination for fans and team alike.
Germany - likely to top the group, but could also drop points. Haven't been a force in World football for a time. Obviously to be respected - but not feared. Excellent destination for fans and team alike.
The overall composition of the group is excellent for several reasons:
Fantastic for the away fans - I can see excellent turnouts for all these games for a variety of reasons: San Marino and Cyprus - sand, sea and booze; Ireland - derby and great crack; Germany - prestige tie; Czech and Slovakia (lesser extent) - mixture of the footie and culture.
No long-haul flights for the team - this cost us big time against Azerbaijan and Northern Ireland at home (the match in mid-week after Azer away). There should be no serious logistical complications with any of these games.
Good money spinner for FAW - Germany, Czech Republic and Ireland matches virtually guaranteed sellouts and excellent TV revenue from Germany match.
Short of picking our opponents I don't think we could have done much better.
And am I the only one just a tiny bit pleased with Scotland's draw? I think not.
The Slovaks and the Czechs will also be kicking lumps out of the Germans.Quote:
Originally Posted by OwlsFan
Top 3 seeds, all neighbours, desperate for victory, should be an interesting group, imo we are in a good group.
Ireland against Germany will be hugely attractive and of special significance
The Republic of Ireland's new manager, Steve Staunton, immediately recalled a hugely significant date in his football career when the Republic of Ireland were grouped with Germany as the draw for Euro 2008 was made in Montreux, Switzerland.
On June 5, 2002, in far-flung Ibaraki, Japan, Staunton won his 100th senior International cap when he captained the Republic of Ireland against Germany in the World Cup finals.
It was Ireland's first match against Germany in competition and it ended sensationally. Ireland trailed from the 19th minute after Miroslav Klose had headed Germany into the lead.
Ireland were in danger of elimination after having drawn their opening match 1 - 1 with Cameroon. But a vigorously determined performance produced a dramatic equalising goal from Robbie Keane in the 90th minute to help Ireland advance to the second stage of the finals.
Staunton's face broke into a smile when he recalled that exciting day after the draw in Montreux.
He said: "It brings back some memories alright, but that is in the past now. The only thing that matters now is how we are going to deal with the teams we have been drawn against in Euro 2008."
Ireland find themselves in a group of seven battling for two qualifying places for the 2008 finals in Austria/Switzerland against opponents who are very familiar, in some cases, and totally unknown to Ireland in others.
Germany and the Czech Republic represent opposition of the highest quality, teams composed of players of renowned skill and experience, well proven in the competitive sphere of the major championships at club and international level.
Wales will be viewed by Ireland with caution. Under Mark Hughes they made significant progress and with the experienced John Toshack now in charge they will be tough and unyielding in matches that will be disputed on 'local derby' terms.
Cyprus have never beaten Ireland in six competitive matches to date and Ireland have just beaten them twice in the World Cup qualifying series.
Finally, Ireland will meet opponents in Slovakia and San Marino they have never opposed before. Ireland had some experience of meeting Slovakia players when they formed a single unit with the team previously known as Czechoslovakia.
The draw represents an intriguing mix of different styles and characteristics and Staunton metaphorically scratched his head as he reviewed the group - "Obviously it is a very difficult group, we will be taking on some very strong teams.
"However, you can be sure the top teams will not be over-joyed at having to face Ireland as the fourth seeds and there are a couple of other groups there that look a lot harder."
Of vital importance will be the meeting to discuss the dates and venues of the matches. That meeting will take place on February 9th in Frankfurt.
It will be interesting to see whether Staunton will seek to play Germany quickly after the conclusion of the World Cup finals in June/July this year.
He said: "We will sit down next week and plan our strategy for the fixtures meeting. There can be advantages in playing a team immediately after they have competed in the World Cup finals, some teams can hit a dip in form.
"But it is not always that simple. If a team comes out of a World Cup finals tournament on a high that can make it much harder for their opponents."
Germany's manager, Jurgen Klinsmann, gave Staunton a warm handshake after the draw was completed and said he had good memories of meeting the Irish manager when he (Klinsmann) was playing in England with 'Spurs.
Said Klinsmann: "We have completely re-built our team from the last World Cup when we played Ireland. We now have almost an entire German team drawn from the U21 players from that time.
"I wish him (Staunton) good luck as a young manager but for me the focus has to be firmly on the World Cup finals next summer in Germany. All out attention must be directed in that direction for the moment."
John Toshack said: "It is a difficult draw for Wales but I will be starting this campaign believing it is a group we can qualify from.
"I wish Steve Staunton all the best in his first campaign as manager but obviously we will be hoping to win our two matches against Ireland. The two sets of players will know each other well from playing alongside each other in the Premiership."
The qualifying tournament is scheduled to start in September of this year. It will clearly be of importance to Ireland that matches against Germany and the Czech Republic, for instance, will not be played in Ireland until Croke Park becomes available.
Both represent matches of huge public appeal and with Croke Park likely to be available for matches on certain dates in March, October and November of 2007, the FAI will make every effort to push back the glamour ties against the top two until then.
It is obviously much too early to attempt to speculate on Ireland's prospects but a couple of points are worth considering - the Czech Republic will not view their matches against their former colleagues in Slovakia with any degree of comfort.
Rivalry between Germany, the Czech Republic and Slovakia has historically been ultra keen and it is highly likely they will lose points to one another. However with Wales so very familiar with Irish players, Steve Staunton's men will have competitive issues to occupy their own minds before they can speculate on their prospects.
There you are - the FAI up to speed on their website :D :p
Germany away in Munich this October anyone? OKTOBERFEST!! It would be the happy death of us all.:)
A doubleheader with Prague. :DQuote:
Originally Posted by Armando
I reckon We will be playing Wales in October and Germany in September. We may play the Czechs this year too.
Rolling Stones are playing in Millenium on September dates.
I think we will want to play Wales and Germany in Croke park along with the Czechs. So that means we are more than likely to play the Welsh and Germans this year away from home.
Believe it or not, Ocktoberfest is actually on in September!!
That's mad. Sept 16 - Oct 3.
http://www.pptravel.com/event.asp?EventID=BF
So, it's not going to coincide with any of the fixture dates.:(
was thinkin that was the case ......
What's drinking beer got to do with following Ireland ?Quote:
Originally Posted by Armando
Good draw.
Any one else drooling at the thought of the Germans in Croke Park?
I used to be a Pioneer but i've been driven to the bottle after watching some of the last few games....:rolleyes: :rolleyes: ;)Quote:
Originally Posted by OwlsFan
Germany: A team very much on the up.They have excellent young players like Podolski and Schweinsteiger as well as top players like Ballack who would walk into any side.However,the fact is that even when Germany was the best team in the world they always struggled against Ireland.I honestly believe we will take 2 points off them,though i do predict that they will win the group.
Czech Republic:An excellent team who are ageing.They are always going to be extremely difficult however.They will drop points to both Slovakia and Germany due to the massive rivalry.I believe we could conceivably take 4 points off them,though im going to say that we will beat them in Dublin and lose in Prague.
Slovakia:Decent enough but arguably the poorest of the third seeds.On paper,Ireland are good enough to take 6 points but Bratislava is just the kind of place that Ireland has always struggled in.I believe that we will draw there and scrape a win here.In fact i think they could be similar to the Poles in the Euro 92 qualifiers at Lansdowne,but i think well just about nick it.The simple fact of their rivalry with the top 2 means that you would have to expect them to take some points there also.Funnily enough,i dont think theyll be too far of qualification,though i think theyll come fourth.
Wales:Arguably the team that could stop us coming Second.We'll probably scrape a win here but Cardiff will be a horrible bitty derby.I think well take 4 points of them.
SM and Cyprus:12 points(Excuse my arrogance)
In summary:
(1)Germany
(2)Ireland or Czechs
(4)Slovakia
(5)Wales
Germany: A team very much on the up.They have excellent young players like Podolski and Schweinsteiger as well as top players like Ballack who would walk into any side.However,the fact is that even when Germany was the best team in the world they always struggled against Ireland.I honestly believe we will take 2 points off them,though i do predict that they will win the group.
Czech Republic:An excellent team who are ageing.They are always going to be extremely difficult however.They will drop points to both Slovakia and Germany due to the massive rivalry.I believe we could conceivably take 4 points off them,though im going to say that we will beat them in Dublin and lose in Prague.
Slovakia:Decent enough but arguably the poorest of the third seeds.On paper,Ireland are good enough to take 6 points but Bratislava is just the kind of place that Ireland has always struggled in.I believe that we will draw there and scrape a win here.In fact i think they could be similar to the Poles in the Euro 92 qualifiers at Lansdowne,but i think well just about nick it.The simple fact of their rivalry with the top 2 means that you would have to expect them to take some points there also.Funnily enough,i dont think theyll be too far of qualification,though i think theyll come fourth.
Wales:Arguably the team that could stop us coming Second.We'll probably scrape a win here but Cardiff will be a horrible bitty derby.I think well take 4 points of them.
SM and Cyprus:12 points(Excuse my arrogance)
In summary:
(1)Germany
(2)Ireland or Czechs
(4)Slovakia
(5)Wales
I am happy with the draw. The Germans and the Czech Republic are not the force they used to be and i hope we get to play them fairly quickly after the world cup. I think we can finish second behind the Czech Republic.TBH i am more worried about Wales and Slovakia than the other two.Anyway wait and see but the away trips are something to look forward to as well.