World Cup 2014 Group C Qualification Fixtures Meeting - Frankfurt 17/18 November 2011

**Kingdom** · 18/11/2011, 6:39 PM

If we accept that we're playing for 2nd behind Germany, then the way to look at the fixture list is to see whether one team can build up an advantage over another.

Ireland: Kaz(A), Ger(H), Far(A), Swe(A), Aus(H), Far(H), Swe(H), Aus(A), Ger(A), Kaz(H)
Sweden: Kaz (H), Far(A), Ger(A), Ire(H), Aus(A), Far(H), Ire(A), Kaz(A), Aus(H), Ger(H)
Lol, look at that. Almost mapped opponents until we've played each other twice. As with other campaigns, we'll be needing to beat the teams seeded below us Home and Away. Obviously they're all crucial, but our home match against Austria looks like being the tipping point. Presuming that we're still in it at that stage, then that is a must-win match.

Aus: Far(A), Ger (H), Kaz(A), Kaz(H), Ire(A), Swe(H), Ger(A), Ire(H), Swe(A), Far(H)

Austria could have built up a nice little reserve by the time they play us in lansdowne. Actually looking at those fixtures again, well played Austria. They took a point off the Germans in Vienna last time out, so they could actually be two points ahead of us come that game, and be able to sit and look for the draw.
Our first game at home after the Euro's is Germany. Delaney has to have looked for that in order to sell-out. Wouldn't be any surprise to see that game as part of a double-header with a friendly against England to boost cash revenues.

I've said before that of all the seeded teams, Germany are the one I'd fear above and beyond all else. Getting them at home early first is probably no harm, we'd probably take the draw, whereas away first I'd be pretty pessimistic of getting anything, and you're on the backfoot straightaway.
I will say that I don't expect Germany to get a 100% record in this campaign, and I would expect all the others to lose at least once in the group.
It's gonna be tough.

**Kingdom** · 18/11/2011, 6:53 PM

Remembering as well that 2nd won't necessarily get anything in this campaign - only 8/9 runner's up go into the play-offs. Thankfully there are one or two horrendous groups:

UEFA Group A is Croatia, Serbia, Belgium, Scotland, Macedonia and Wales.
That is a stinker of a group; Any of the top 3 seeds go win the group, while Wales and Scotland will think they can take points off anyone at home.

UEFA Group B is Italy, Denmark, Czech Republic, Bulgaria, Armenia and Malta.
Again, the middle seeds are of sufficient quality to take points off most of the others.

UEFA Group D is Netherlands, Turkey, Hungary, Romania, Estonia and Andorra.
Holland to run away with it. 2nd should make playoff

UEFA Group E is Norway, Slovenia, Switzerland, Albania, Cyprus and Iceland.
Plenty of dropped points in this group too.

UEFA Group F is Portugal, Russia, Israel, Northern Ireland, Azerbaijan and Luxembourg.
Straightforward group, definite playoffs.

UEFA Group G is Greece, Slovakia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Lithuania, Latvia and Liechtenstein.
The top three should be ok for a playoff spot, not enough in the bottom 3 seeds.

UEFA Group H is England, Montenegro, Ukraine, Poland, Moldova and San Marino.
Could be a dodgy one too for the runner-up. Monte and the co-hosts aren't too differing in abilities, suggests points dropped.

UEFA Group I is Spain, France, Belarus, Georgia and Finland. No contest.

Certs for playoffs: Groups I,G,F,D
Looking at the groups I'd be confident that if we come 2nd we'll reach the play-offs. No matter how many times I see it, Group A is horrid.

**Kingdom** · 18/11/2011, 6:54 PM

Originally Posted by geysir

By the time of the last round of games, the Swedes hopefully/probably will be looking at our home tie with the Kazaks, with envy.

To be fair to them, Sweden beat a hitherto 100% Netherlands to get to Euro12 as auto runner-up. An achievement in itself.

**tricky_colour** · 18/11/2011, 6:58 PM

Originally Posted by Stuttgart88

Aviva is the same backwards as forwards though

Like a palindrome you mean

**BonnieShels** · 18/11/2011, 7:19 PM

Originally Posted by tricky_colour

Like a palindrome you mean

That "palindrome" isn't palindromic is one of the great failures of the English language.

**Stuttgart88** · 18/11/2011, 7:37 PM

Are Rotor (as in Volgograd) the world palindromic football champions?

**tricky_colour** · 18/11/2011, 9:09 PM

Indeed you would have thought they could come up with something better than that!!

Perhaps they suffered from Aibohphobia? (a fear of palindromes!!).

**tricky_colour** · 18/11/2011, 9:10 PM

Also:-

Are we not pure? “No sir!” Panama’s moody Noriega brags. “It is garbage!” Irony dooms a man; a prisoner up to new era.

**SkStu** · 19/11/2011, 5:00 AM

we'll come third and we'll know that on March 26, 2013.

**ArdeeBhoy** · 19/11/2011, 7:47 AM

We will definitely, if we don't start winning our fecking home games.

**Stuttgart88** · 19/11/2011, 10:55 AM

Originally Posted by tricky_colour

Also:-

Are we not pure? “No sir!” Panama’s moody Noriega brags. “It is garbage!” Irony dooms a man; a prisoner up to new era.

A man, a plan, a canal...Panama.

**mypost** · 19/11/2011, 11:11 AM

Originally Posted by Kingdom

Remembering as well that 2nd won't necessarily get anything in this campaign - only 8/9 runner's up go into the play-offs. Thankfully there are one or two horrendous groups:

UEFA Group A is Croatia, Serbia, Belgium, Scotland, Macedonia and Wales.
That is a stinker of a group; Any of the top 3 seeds go win the group, while Wales and Scotland will think they can take points off anyone at home.

UEFA Group E is Norway, Slovenia, Switzerland, Albania, Cyprus and Iceland.
Plenty of dropped points in this group too.

UEFA Group G is Greece, Slovakia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Lithuania, Latvia and Liechtenstein.
The top three should be ok for a playoff spot, not enough in the bottom 3 seeds.

UEFA Group I is Spain, France, Belarus, Georgia and Finland. No contest.

Group A is a great one for everyone, as there's no clear winner, but you'd have to expect Croatia or Serbia to decide the group themselves. Wales and Scotland can prepare for Euro 2016.

Group E is more or less the same, another very competitive group. Group I is no contest for the top two places, but we don't know who will be top.

I'd rather be in a group where anyone of 3 or 4 teams could win it, instead of what we have.

**tetsujin1979** · 19/11/2011, 11:33 AM

Serbia were terrible in qualifying for the Euros, only won 4 games in total

**Crosby87** · 19/11/2011, 12:01 PM

Dammit, no more Saturday games? Killing me! Dont they think of the plastics and ex pats? I cant take off all those Fridays!
*******s.

**French Toasht** · 19/11/2011, 12:07 PM

I'd genuinely swap groups with any other third seeds, bar Belerus who got Spain and France. If only the draw had been made now, like it always had been we'd be looking at a far handier group now.