Seems the Russians have pulled rank!! Fixtures meeting for Euro 2012 to be held in Moscow March 16th!!!
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Seems the Russians have pulled rank!! Fixtures meeting for Euro 2012 to be held in Moscow March 16th!!!
Its always the top seeds get to host the fixtures meeting afaik.
Have you got a source on this? I only ask because it was posted on ybig that the meeting was due to take place this Saturday, but that it wasn't as yet an absolute definite. Out of curiosity I rang the FAI this morning and they confirmed this to be the case.Quote:
Originally Posted by Girl in Green
I posted the info on YBIG, which now appears to be wrong even though confirmed by receptionist in the FAI.
It looks like the meeting is now Mar 16th in Moscow.
THe same girl in the FAI that yesterday said it was confirmed for Sat now claims she doesnt know anything. (maybe Manuel from Barcelona's sister)http://www.ybig.ie/forum/smileys/smiley2.gif
If the Russians and Slovaks cant even agree on a poxy meeting, the fixtures could take ages to sort out! Complete pain in the ass
I never reveal my sources..........lets just say I have good contacts!!!!!!!!
Fair enough. March the 16th it is then.
Which could be good for the FAI, given that we're not stuck in the same gash position we've been in for a while with regard to needing to play at home on specific dates.Quote:
Originally Posted by Greenforever
There is more room to manoeuver now, which could be a blessing. Also the dates that are available, plus the type of opposition means you could put a run of away games together without it being defeatist.
I think this could be our time, in terms of getting a good fixture list, and a good group. I'm so bloody excited.:)
Think the last one was in Sofia, I also remember one in Dublin, and we were never top seeds....were we?Quote:
Originally Posted by Real ale Madrid
We were top seeds the time we had Russia and Switzerland in our group. Didn't do us much good though!Quote:
Originally Posted by SUB of the day
IIRC we were also top seeds for Euro96 and for France98. Again it didn't do us much good.
Top seeds indeed for Euro 1996, however Portugal beat us to top spot and we know what happened in the play off.Quote:
Originally Posted by gspain
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UEFA_Eu...fying#Seedings
I think Romania were the first seeds in our group for 1998. Same result though, second in group followed by playoff disaster.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1998_FI...ing_.28UEFA.29
That's the Russians showing how awkward they're going to be in this group. On and off the pitch. Scotland got theirs sorted out already.Quote:
Originally Posted by Girl in Green
What I'd like:
September 2010:
Russia (a)
October 2010:
Slovakia (h)
Armenia (h)
March 2011:
Armenia (a)
Macedonia (h)
June 2011:
Macedonia (a)
September 2011:
Slovakia (a)
Andorra (a)
October 2011:
Russia (h)
Andorra (h)
Being Realistic
Russia (h)
Andorra (h)
Slovakia (a)
Macedonia (h)
Armenia (a)
Armenia (h)
Andorra (a)
Russia (a)
Slovakia (h)
Macedonia (a)
i.e. Pretty rough.
As long as Slovakia and Macedonia away games are in the same week, i don't care! Direct trains from Bratislava to Skopje (even though the game may not be in Bratislava). Russia and Armenia in the same week would also be good. Loads of direct flights between the two which should make it easier for fans to travel to the two games. Plus, having those two together should reduce possible jet lag effect on players. Not quite the Czech Republic / Slovakia ease of a couple of years ago but even if one of these double headers came to pass, it would be good for us. As long as we don't have Andorra away the same week as another, I'll be happy. I think the following should be priorities:
1) Home at the end
2) 2 of the first 3 games at home
3) Andorra away immediately after a tough home game (Russia or Slovakia)
4) Armenia and Russia to be away games in the same week
5) Slovakia and Macedonia to be away in the same week
Ideal scenario would be as follows:
Russia (h)
Andorra (a)
Macedonia (h)
Armenia (h)
Armenia (a)
Russia (a)
Andorra (h)
Slovakia (a)
Macedonia (a)
Slovakia (h)
or something like that
I definitely think ending with as many home matches as possible (2 most likey) would be a good outcome for us. It would suck to have to head off to Russia or Macedonia in the closing games.
At the end of the day, the important factor is that the FAI get the best draw for the team, not the fans. Sure it would be great for the fans to have Moscow on the Friday followed by Yerevan on the Tuesday, for convenience, but I just don't believe the team would react well to it.
I'm pretty sure Macedonia in Skopje in June is right up there with Moscow in October for mind-numingly stupid requests!
When you look at the games singularily, the three awkward ones are Skopje, Moscow, and Russia at home. Getting those played at the right time of the year, and with favourable follow up fixtures or even individually will be crucial.
The other games should hold no worries to us with all due respect, not that I'm saying we'll coast them, but any combination of Slovakia, Andorra, Armenia and Macedonia (Home) wouldn't bother me. Slovakia sure are a competent team, but Bratislava is a doddle to get to for the squad, and we're more than a match for them. Armenia away will probably be the hardest place to get to, and maybe quite hostile, but I believe we'll beat them over there regardless.
There was a template knocking around last season with potential dates. If we've the same scenario where there is a standalone February date, I'd be looking for us to utilise it with a home date against one of the lessers, in order to free up a date later on (instead of a double header) or to skip a game in June.
My ideal fixture list:
Tues 7th Sep Russia Away
Fri 8th Oct Macedonia Away
Tues 12th Oct Slovakia Home
Weds 17th Nov Andora Home
Weds 9th Feb Andora Away
Tues 29th Mar Russia Home
Tues 7th June Armenia Home
Tues 6th Sep Armenia Away
Fri 7th Oct Slovakia Away
Tues 11th Oct Macedonia Home
The Nov and Feb dates are allocated for friendlies and would only require clubs to release players 3 days ahead instead of the 5 for a official qualifier date.
Playing Andora home and away on these dates would reduce the number of double headers.
I wouls seek to play Russia each time as a stand alone fixture on the tuesday keeping the players as fresh as possible.
No Macedonia away in Summer, like no Russia / Armenia away in height of winter.
No double headers away.
Not a very likely fixture list but one I think would be a dream for the team.
We're not going to be playing in the depths of winter, so that's one thing taken care of. I love the June games, and don't understand why so many are opposed to them. Do you not want us to play in the finals cause they're in June? We went to Bulgaria last June in 35c heat, and held our own.Quote:
Originally Posted by Greenforever
Hate this "home-away-home-away" obsession. That's the Kerr approach, which led to a 4th place finish. It's largely impractical, given the calendar we have these days.
We got a draw, we wanted a win.Quote:
Originally Posted by mypost
Why would you agree to give your opponents an advantage like that if you can avoid it????
Surely if you are a real fan you would put the teams best interest ahead of when you want a sun holiday???
My favoured fixture list isnt a simpe home, away, home, away, howver to say it's largely impractical is a strange statement, do you mean impractical for travelling fans????
A draw in Bulgaria was a great result, first ever point there, when we went there before in pising rain and lost the lot.
Nothing to do with holidays, it's good to get as many of the away games over with asap, and if we're going to play in Polish/Ukraine heat, we may as well play in heat the year before. What exactly are we afraid of?
Getting the away games over with asap, is why I'm also in favour of double header aways.
Quote:
Originally Posted by mypost
A great result but not a result good enough to win the group, Bulgaria were a very poor team.
Saying it was our first ever point in Sofia doesnt carry any weight, i mean when was the last time we played Bulgaria in a qualifier?? 20 yrs ago, not comparing like with like really are we.
Would you not agree with playing Andora on the dates suggested to free up dates and do awway with the need for double headers.
Most people would look at trying to mis up the fixtures so as to keep points rolling up while spreading out the top seed matches so as to stay in touch at all times with the group leaders unless of course we are leading the group. All managers will tell you they would prefer to have the points than matches in hand!
Would you prefer to start off with 4 away games Russia and Armenia in Sep followed by Macedonia and Slovakia in Oct, get them over and done with and praye that we are noit out of it before a home game??
Can't play Andorra on your dates suggested, as they are unavailable for qualifiers. There's 12 dates available for 10 games, so there's little room for preference dates.Quote:
Originally Posted by Greenforever
We went to Bulgaria looking for a point, and got it. We went to Cyprus in extreme weather and won. There's nothing to be afraid of. As I've said before, if we want to play in the finals, we're going to have to play in heat, so we'll have to cope with it and get results, which we've shown we can get if needs be.
You are wrong re not being able to play on those dates, as I previously posted clubs only have to release players 3 days before these match dates rather than the usual 5.Quote:
Originally Posted by mypost
I dont remember the heat being that extreme in Cyprus last year.
You dont answer any of my questions, and saying we went for a point is not correct, we went looking for a win but had to settle for a point.
We went to Cyprus in 38c. Wasn't that hot at ko time, but it wasn't much cooler.
We did go for a point in Bulgaria, as you could see when we barely got out of our half for the second half. We were happy to keep the point and preserve second spot, and everyone went home happy with our first point ever from Sofia. Italy didn't even win there in the group.
Quote:
Originally Posted by mypost
So you accept we can play on those dates in Nov and Feb
We didnt play well enough to beat Bulgaria, and I would say we accepted a point rather than went home happy, personally most people i was with at the game felt we lost a great chance to make up 2 points on Italy.
It was a hell of a lot cooler than 38c at kick off time against Cyprus and we played them in Sep not June!!
We played in Cyprus at the beginning of September, which is still the height of summer over there. We asked for a 9.30 ko to cope.Quote:
Originally Posted by Greenforever
We finished well behind Italy as expected, but in Sofia we bought back the 2 points lost to Bulgaria here, and kept us well out of danger.
I'll accept your dates if you can link them, so far I haven't seen any evidence that they are available for qualifiers.
Quote:
Originally Posted by mypost
http://www.fifa.com/mm/document/worl...mber2009-e.pdf
Friendly dates can be used for qualifiers, you just cant insist on players being released 5 days in advance, 3 is the max.
Don't undersand we brought abck the 2 points lost????, had we won in Sofia we would have been going into the Italy match at Croker needing 2 wins to win the group.
We have no control over KO time for away games, so it is best to avoid the possibility of having to play in such conditions.
Our aim at the start of the group was to finish second, that's what we did. As we lost 2 points from the home game, we had to go to Sofia and get a result. The fans were delighted and the players were ecstatic with it. Most teams will play at night at any time of the year, so if we have to go to play in June, we'll cope if we have to. We'll have to do it in the finals as well if we get there.
There'll be a warm-up friendly just before it to help with the preparation. It's not a major concern.
Quote:
Originally Posted by mypost
You contradict yourself, IF we have to play in June we'll cope if we have to....but we dont have to so why take a risk
MOst countries play at night....they dont have to, Macedonia V Scotland and our last trip to Malta are 2 that spring to mind for afternoon kick offs.
I can assure you the players were not overly happy to only draw in Sofia, the fans stayed behind to celebrate as we were locked into the ground...not quite the same....of course if we are to only play for 2nd thats a different story
The players were ecstatic, they were congratulating each other as if they had qualified at the whistle, rather than got a point to keep the Bulgars away from second spot.Quote:
Originally Posted by Greenforever
Macedonia - Scotland was an exception to the rule. Scotland lost that game not because of the heat, but because they were crap. They lost to a goalkeeping error iirc.
Last time in Malta was a 6.30 ko local time in 1999, under lights. 10 years before, they had to play us in the afternoon, as their stadium had no lights. No choice.
Imo the most important thing is to avoid Macedonia away in June/Sept. The Scots were forced to play there at 3pm in september,and they're likely to go for that approach again. Realistically we would need to beat them to be in the shake up for top spot.
And if we have to play in Poland/Ukraine at 3pm in June, will you prefer we withdraw from the tournament, and hand a more acclimatised team to compete instead?
To get there, we have to clear different hurdles. Time differences, plastic pitches, hostile crowds, etc, etc. We are unlikely to play any afternoon games, but if we have to, we'll be well prepared for it.
We have a tendancy to be very hard to deal with when it comes to fixtures. I remember once the fixtures meeting nearly collapsed due to our demands. I hope we are the same here and the important thing is not to be bullied by Russia. Personally I hope we don't go for the usual Irish trick of playing the first seeds away first. Yes it worked once for Mick McCarthy but it has also failed for us. We might be able to get Slovakia on the hop in this meeting as I am quite sure they are focussing everything on the world cup and have not put much thought into this fixture meeting. Id actually like to get Macedonia and Armenia away games out of the way early enough. Very trickey venues and I feel it would be best to get them early in the group if at all possible. Under no circumstances should we accept Skopje as our last match after 1999 :(
Yes, playing the bigger teams was something Mick McC favoured, worked for him when we played Croatia first in the 2000 campaign and obviously the 2002 campaign, not so much in 2004.
Id tend to agree with Johnny Giles when he says its important to amass a decent amount of points from your first few games. Better to have points on the board, even just from a psychological point of few, rather than playing catch up. Id like us to play Andorra, Armenia and either Slovakia or Russia in the first three games. Its a decent mix and we should be looking to take at least 7 points from the games. 9 if the Russia/Slovakia games was at home.
Looking back wasnt that the biggest fcuk up of a qualifying we have made in recent times. Going into the last min against Croatia in the second last game, we were more or less qualified and blew it. Then despite that set back and because Yug and Croatia drew in their final game, a win in Macedonia wouldve meant we topped the group. Again we had it all in place until the dying the mins........painful.Quote:
Originally Posted by carloz
Reckon the FAI will try and get Andorra at home out of the way as the first home game, could be the only way to sell it out/ensure take up of tickets as first competitive fixture in Aviva.Quote:
Originally Posted by elroy
That was in the meeting here for Germany '06. Mainly down to Kerr's insistence on the home-away-home formula, and another anti-June fanatic. He eventually backed down on the June issue, and we got most of what we wanted.Quote:
Originally Posted by carloz
I would hope that the waste of space that is the Celtic cup will have no bearings on our date selection/available dates
Quote:
Originally Posted by Newryrep
When i posted my ideal dates, I forgot about this tournament.
If I remember right there is 1 match in Feb (friendly date in FIFA calender) and 2 in May. I still beil=eve we should use the Nov friendly date for one of the games against Andora, and possible the Aug 2011 friendly date for the return. I know there is no guarantee that Andora would play ball but that is what I would be hoping for if I was JD or Trap.
Dont know about the Celtic cup being a waste of space, the idea of 3 reasonable competitive games for introducing new players quite apeals to me, providing the standard substitution rules apply and the games dont end in farce with 6 or even more changes on either side. The one thing I dont overly like is spliting the dates between Feb and May, why not play all the matches in May over a week.
[QUOTE=Greenforever;1323069
Dont know about the Celtic cup being a waste of space, the idea of 3 reasonable competitive games [/QUOTE]
And perhaps most importantly it creates revenue.
I would like to get Russia away first up, followed by one of the Andorra games, then Macedonia away in the october round of games. I would also like to get the other Macedonia game out of the way long before the end of qualifying. After that i don't see that it makes a lot of difference.