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:



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:



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/socc...-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!