If we were at Euro 2004?

**tricky_colour** · 20/06/2004, 2:20 AM

How would we do?

We have beaten the Dutch and the Czechs and are miles better than England.

Quarters, semis runners up or winners?

brine2 · 20/06/2004, 8:06 AM

In fairness, Ireland were knocked out by the two teams that have so far failed to score in 360 minutes of Euro 2004 football between them.

**carnstien** · 20/06/2004, 11:21 AM

In fairness I don't think that it really matters that we were knocked out by two ****e teams because the Irish team has come a million miles since the disgraceful display in Basle. The difference Miller, Ried, King Roy, O'Brien and playing Duff in his proper position make to the Irish team is massive.

If we were there and the team was properly selected and orginised I think we would do very well. When it comes to our 1st eleven I genuinly think we are as good, player for player, as the Czech Republic, Portugal, Holland or Germany, all sides who were tipped to win the tournement.

We may still be a level below the likes of Spain, France or Italy but I see no reason why we couldn't have made the Semi-Finals.

**nlgbbbblth** · 20/06/2004, 2:22 PM

I know for a lot of people it's preferable to see England lose at Euro 2004 and have Ireland not qualify [I know a few Celtic fans who think like this]

rather than England win at Euro 2004 and Ireland qualify

but if we were there we would make QFs anyway

**lopez** · 20/06/2004, 4:00 PM

Originally Posted by nlgbbbblth

I know for a lot of people it's preferable to see England lose at Euro 2004 and have Ireland not qualify [I know a few Celtic fans who think like this]

rather than England win at Euro 2004 and Ireland qualify

but if we were there we would make QFs anyway

Living in England myself, you don't know how tempting that offer is. What was it I read about Barcelona fans? In a poll 55% said they enjoyed watching Real Madrid lose than watching Barcelona win. Sad....

but that's not the face I'll have if Croatia win tommorrow night!!

However these Celtic fans don't need Ireland to qualify when they've got their own interpretation of Ireland (see pro/anti Celtic posts for other opinions).

**1MickCollins** · 20/06/2004, 4:21 PM

By and large there isn't much between all of the teams and no one team has really stood out after two rounds. The "weaker" teams like Greece and Latvia have been able to work hard and use neagtive tactics to even the contest.
We wouldn't be out of place there but not easy to predict how we would do, maybe 2, 3 or 4 points out of 6 given previous participation in EC/WC.

**gmani** · 20/06/2004, 11:29 PM

Originally Posted by 1MickCollins

By and large there isn't much between all of the teams and no one team has really stood out after two rounds. The "weaker" teams like Greece and Latvia have been able to work hard and use neagtive tactics to even the contest.
We wouldn't be out of place there but not easy to predict how we would do, maybe 2, 3 or 4 points out of 6 given previous participation in EC/WC.

your absolutely rite.....yeh it would be hard to see how we would do, and it really is all about how hard you work...which is what GREeCE in particular has showed

**tiktok** · 21/06/2004, 7:39 AM

Originally Posted by carnstien

In fairness I don't think that it really matters that we were knocked out by two ****e teams because the Irish team has come a million miles since the disgraceful display in Basle. The difference Miller, Ried, King Roy, O'Brien and playing Duff in his proper position make to the Irish team is massive.

yeah, but would those changes have come about if we'd won in Basle, IMO they wouldn't.

**Bowsy** · 21/06/2004, 8:58 AM

Originally Posted by tiktok

yeah, but would those changes have come about if we'd won in Basle, IMO they wouldn't.

Very good point. What would our team look like if we had won in Basle. RMK wouldn't be there. Duff would proabably be playing through injury and miss the all the opening world cup qualifiers. Reid, Miller, Barrett, O'brien, etc would never have been given the chance to prove themselves. Obviously the point of playing is to reach Championship finals but i think our team has improved as a result of not qualifying.

**eirebhoy** · 21/06/2004, 12:07 PM

Originally Posted by Bowsy

Very good point. What would our team look like if we had won in Basle. RMK wouldn't be there. Duff would proabably be playing through injury and miss the all the opening world cup qualifiers. Reid, Miller, Barrett, O'brien, etc would never have been given the chance to prove themselves. Obviously the point of playing is to reach Championship finals but i think our team has improved as a result of not qualifying.

I made all those points in another thread a couple of weeks ago. I think it's for the very best that we didn't qualify for the Championships. Since Brian took over midway through the qualifiers he didn't have a chance to build his own team. If we did qualify he would have been picking all the experienced players for the pre-comp friendlies and would have had no time to build a new team.

**Junior** · 21/06/2004, 12:39 PM

Originally Posted by eirebhoy

I made all those points in another thread a couple of weeks ago. I think it's for the very best that we didn't qualify for the Championships. Since Brian took over midway through the qualifiers he didn't have a chance to build his own team. If we did qualify he would have been picking all the experienced players for the pre-comp friendlies and would have had no time to build a new team.

I can never agree with those type of sentiments. As a fan its killing me watching this championship on tv, wishing I was there following my team. Yeah I know we didn't deserve to qualify, but I don't agree with the 'its for the best' type arguments.

The experience gained in being at a major championships far outweighs that of a few friendlies.

Though I take the point about it being more difficult to introduce youngsters while in a competitive situation.

Out of interest will those teams that are partaking in euro04 play any friendlies before the wcq start in Sept??

**eirebhoy** · 21/06/2004, 1:00 PM

Originally Posted by Junior

Out of interest will those teams that are partaking in euro04 play any friendlies before the wcq start in Sept??

We play Bulgaria in August, so yes.

We could be going through torture watching Ireland getting beaten in every match with the likes of Kinsella in the starting lineup. We wouldn't have a hope of beating France without the likes of Duffer and Keane. A half fit Kilbane, Holland, Kinsella and probably an inexperienced Miller or Carsley would be our midfield for the championships. Brian needed these 9 friendlies to build a new team and he wouldn't have done so if we qualified for the EC. I mean there has been 5/6 changes to the starting lineup since our last competitive game. We also always do our best in qualifiers when we hadn't qualified for the previous tournament plus we have a newfound confidence after beaten the Czech Republic and Holland. The championships are nearly over so you should be thinking of the future.

**Junior** · 21/06/2004, 1:54 PM

Originally Posted by eirebhoy

We play Bulgaria in August, so yes.

The question posed concerned those teams that HAD qualified for Portugal, however, I'll asume that all teams will play friendlies in August.

Originally Posted by eirebhoy

We could be going through torture watching Ireland getting beaten in every match with the likes of Kinsella in the starting lineup. We wouldn't have a hope of beating France without the likes of Duffer and Keane. A half fit Kilbane, Holland, Kinsella and probably an inexperienced Miller or Carsley would be our midfield for the championships. Brian needed these 9 friendlies to build a new team and he wouldn't have done so if we qualified for the EC. I mean there has been 5/6 changes to the starting lineup since our last competitive game. We also always do our best in qualifiers when we hadn't qualified for the previous tournament plus we have a newfound confidence after beaten the Czech Republic and Holland.

Would rather go through torture watching my team IN the championships than not at all, for ****sakes we haven't been in a european championship since '88!!!!

If you think that we now have a team that is more capable of qualifying for the wc06 than we would have if we had taken part in euro04, then you have a lot of faith. I still think participation in euro04 plus the 1 or 2 friendlies we would have squeezed in would have been better for the team AND the fans of course.

Previous experience tells me we generally play above ourselves in these tournies anyway, so doubt we would have been embarassed even if we didn't qualify for latter stages.

Originally Posted by eirebhoy

The championships are nearly over so you should be thinking of the future.

Are you drunk?

**finlma** · 21/06/2004, 2:33 PM

Originally Posted by Junior

The question posed concerned those teams that HAD qualified for Portugal, however, I'll asume that all teams will play friendlies in August.

Bulgaria did qualify for Portugal or have I picked up your point incorrectly?

**Junior** · 21/06/2004, 2:43 PM

Originally Posted by finlma

Bulgaria did qualify for Portugal or have I picked up your point incorrectly?

Nope you did pick up my point correctly, I am a doughnut wearing green tinted specs. doh!!!!!!!!

**eirebhoy** · 21/06/2004, 3:46 PM

Originally Posted by Junior

Are you drunk?

I was pointing out what I felt were the long term benifits of failing to qualify for the EC. The players would have got 3/4 matches of experience by qualifying and the FAI a few million euro, nothing much IMO. I don't know why you had to make a personal insult like that and I still can't figure out what I said to make you say it. We deservedly failed to qualify for the championship's 8 months ago and us Irish have been disapointed since than, the final is on Sunday week. If you don't think that they are nearly over I think you should direct your own comment at yourself.

**Plastic Paddy** · 21/06/2004, 4:09 PM

Originally Posted by Junior

Nope you did pick up my point correctly, I am a doughnut wearing green tinted specs. doh!!!!!!!!

But not green-and-white tinted, oh no. I can't believe you forgot Bulgaria are at Euro 2004 with Stan Petrov captaining them an' all!

PP

**Junior** · 21/06/2004, 4:12 PM

Originally Posted by eirebhoy

I was pointing out what I felt were the long term benifits of failing to qualify for the EC. The players would have got 3/4 matches of experience by qualifying and the FAI a few million euro, nothing much IMO. I don't know why you had to make a personal insult like that and I still can't figure out what I said to make you say it. We deservedly failed to qualify for the championship's 8 months ago and us Irish have been disapointed since than, the final is on Sunday week. If you don't think that they are nearly over I think you should direct your own comment at yourself.

apologies if I offended, I was only pulling yer leg.

To be fair the group games are still being played + quarters + semis + final - its hardly nearly over is it?? It was only this comment I was referring to.

**Junior** · 21/06/2004, 4:14 PM

Originally Posted by Plastic Paddy

But not green-and-white tinted, oh no. I can't believe you forgot Bulgaria are at Euro 2004 with Stan Petrov captaining them an' all!

PP

I'd say if you asked Stan , he'd deny all knowledge of ever being there

**eirebhoy** · 21/06/2004, 4:48 PM

Originally Posted by Junior

apologies if I offended, I was only pulling yer leg.

To be fair the group games are still being played + quarters + semis + final - its hardly nearly over is it?? It was only this comment I was referring to.

NP, I left my sarcasm detector in work.

I was comparing the 8 months of disapointment and jealousy to the 2 weeks that are left if you know what i mean.