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Its a tough draw but I'm delighted with it. Player by player (with Poborsky, Nedved, Koller and others retired) the Czech's are not much better than us if they are actually better. Baros is one of their best players yet Keane is much better than him.
Germany should win it. Wales will be tough. I'm just delighted to have got the Czech's. If we got Greece as the no.1 seed I wouldn't even have been as happy.
Hey Eirebhoy you should have supported me when I said that the other day. It looked like I was going out on a limb saying getting the Czechs was a good draw. ha ha
No harm at all to be placed in a more difficult group , in my opinion. Ireland always seem to perform alot better when the perceeption is that we're the underdog. Looking at our opponants from what I know of them:
Germany: No one can say with certainty how good, bad or indifferent this team are. Given how long its been since they've played in a competitive game. France were'nt even considered a serious contender in the lead up to WC '98. Its a case of wait and see. I'd be inclined to think that this team are more accomplished than people give them credit for.
Czech Republic: The Czech's (in my time watching football) are a team that can lurch from the sublime to the ridiculous. However, in recent times Nedved, Poborsky et al. have made them alot more consistent. Given their impending retirements, there will be a degree of experimentation going on there. Having been to a match to Prague, I would'nt say its the most intimidating atmosphere. Home win in Croker attainable, in my opinion.
Slovakia: Bratislava is not quite the tourist paradise that we'll experience in Prague. The locals are'nt exactly enthusiasatic ambassador's, shall I say after being there. (Also remember Heskey and A. Cole getting barracked relentlessly for England) Edged out Russia to qualify for Euro playoff's So they certainly merit to be ranked higher than ourselves. Could have been a lot trickier from Pot C, mind you.
Wales: Their matches with Norn Iron were real up and a'them affairs. Thoroughly enjoyable in actual fact. I'd argue, that we'd edge Wales in terms of quality. Can Stan re-instill the motivation in our players? (something that was sadly lacking at the end of Greener's time) If he can. 6 points is not out of the question.
Cyprus: Not exactly the unknown given we've played them quite often in recent times. Konstantinou apart. With the right attitide we should have nothing to fear.
San Marino: They say there's no easy games in international football. This lot are one of the few expcetions to help prove that rule of thumb.
3rd place is a realistic result in my opinion. May be enough to edge us into pot C next time round. Can't wait for the Welsh, German and Czech games in Croker if that will be the case. Glamour games for THE glamour stadium in Europe!
I am making it my duty to get to at least oneIreland away match this time. Germany and Wales would be nice and handy trips:).
What are the chances of us playing in Germany in September/October during the Oktoberfest?:D.
You can bet that if Germany had to qualify for 2006 they would be in the
top ten in the world, a group 1 seed. So we have two group one seeds
to contend with. Gonna be tough, but we have qualified from tough groups before.
Not sure if this has been mentioned yet but, I was just watching the news there, the Group D teams are meeting on Feb 10th in Hamburg to work out the fixtures
February 9th afaik, and in Frankfurt, not Hamburg:p.(not that it really matters:D)Quote:
Originally Posted by Neish
Those games really would be nice for you sligoman, particularly the Welsh game. You could get to see one of ManU's star players, Giggsy.Quote:
Originally Posted by sligoman
and Man U's Michael Ballack. He'll be with them by the time we play the Germans;) :D.Quote:
Originally Posted by TheJamaicanP.M.
Was really looking forward to August to go to Dublin for the womens qualifier but this is just great. Good Group and with San Marino, Slovakia and Wales i think thats three out of the race for the first two places.
Great travelling as I yet have to watch a match in Bratislava, San Marino and of course the Millenium Stadium.
Match Ireland - Germany will be a great trip for most of us I think and I'm sure there will be loads travelling to Dublin.
Good thinking, you might even go to the home games too. They'd be handy and easy for you to get too. Just make sure you remember who you're cheering for.:DQuote:
Originally Posted by sligoman
Karel Bruckner, manager of the Czech Republic said today
“If I could, I’d ask UEFA to swap Ireland with Northern Ireland. Then I’d be happy with this draw.”
Belgium are lucky. Armenia, Azerbaijan and Kazachstan, three countries I'd die to travel to, I have a fascination since many years for the Kaukasus area. But, starting to support Belgium for it is a bridge too far. I'll get there on my own, or maybe going and see Belgium get hammered would be nice :cool:
How can you hate your home country so much?:confused:Quote:
Originally Posted by Gerrit
I am happy with the draw.Hopfully I win Euromillons tonight and go to all the games .
Fraid not, I have it all wrapped up:pQuote:
Originally Posted by ccfcgirl
doubt it seeing as though hes signed for real madrid...Quote:
Originally Posted by sligoman
Didn't know that:o, but eh, he still will:D.Quote:
Originally Posted by livehead1
Great Draw for hitting the alehouses. Munich/Berlin, Cardiff and Prague are definitely attractive for the booze.:D And what about Cyprus. Limassol will welcome us with open arms again. Hopefully the apartments will be better then.:rolleyes:
Armenia V Azerbaijan: Well, that has the makings of a violent football match with the war going on out there over Nagorno-Karabakh. Would need a tin hat in Yerevan or Baku.:eek:
Can I be your new best friend;) :DQuote:
Originally Posted by sligoman