Cracking Draw for the FAI coffers. Germany , Poland and Scotland are all probably sell outs.
Some discussion on the venue possibilities for the Scotland away game from the locals here:
Tartan Army: Scotland v roi on a Friday night
Had a quick look at Tartan Army boards. They've been debating where the game should be played. Consensus seems to be Ibrox to avoid Celtic/Ireland love in. There was however a link to a bbc site which suggested that Hampden will be ready in late 2014. Whether this will be in time for our game remains to be seen. I'm sure the SFA will try and clarify this sooner rather than later. I'd prefer Hampden if possible to avoid debate that would inevitably occur here if there had to be a choice made between Ibrox/Parkhead.
On the draw itself - I like it! Germany aside, there are lots of very competitive games to be had. Could be close but hope we have enough about ourselves to get through. Poland are inconsistent but potentially a decent side, Scotland seem much improved under Strachan. Tbilisi will prove a tough place to get three points and Gibraltar will be a decent away trip.
The last two games are very tough though. Hope we have plenty of points on the board by then.
JERRY: But are you still master of your domain?
GEORGE: I am king of the county. You?
JERRY: Lord of the manor.
The odds must put Ireland third in this group.
Yes. Courtesy of Paddy Power! -
To win the group:
Germany 1/6
Poland 8/1
Ireland 9/1
Scotland 14/1
Georgia 275/1
Gibraltar 500/1
To qualify:
Yes
Ireland 4/5
Scotland 6/5
No
Ireland 10/11
Scotland 8/13
To win Euro 2016
Ireland 150/1
Scotland 150/1
27 teams progress, another 10-15 (fourth and fifth seeds) will feel they have an outside chance. Granted NI were rubbish in the current and previous tournaments, but if you win more games than lose, as we did in 2008 and 2010 then third place is very gettable. As indeed it is for the current FIFA-ranked 33rd country in Europe.Originally Posted by TheOneWhoKnocks
It really isn't as others have explained above. They could also have added that England's second seed Switzerland had an even better record in the current tournament.It really is amazing that England consistently get such easy groups, regardless of seeding
You do realise that Sweden managed 20 points in current qualifying to Scotland's 11? What else is your opinion based on?Poland are probably marginally better than Austria and Sweden are probably marginally better than Scotland. Not much between those 4 teams imo
Some of them do have a rather better understanding of how international football works than you've demonstrated in the last few posts...I wouldn't post on OWC and I am not surprised about any of what you said. These people can not be reasoned with
That's one analysis- another is that obvious trolls and wind-ups are tolerated more briefly on some sites than others. For the record, there is a modest annual fee (currently £5) to gain access to some areas of the site, eg archives for previous tournaments and travel arrangements for future away games. I understand something similar has been considered here, albeit set at a higher level.Originally Posted by Geysir
It's true that most regular posters- like NI fans generally- are broadly unionist. Fancy that. What did you expect, a Polish-speaking caucus? Parity of esteem for embittered border culchie Nordic exiles?
Now now. I'm confident OWC would not merely tolerate and respect but welcome your own contribution, if it ever progressed from extended and self-important sneers?Possibly you can 'arse lick at will and you will be tolerated, like a one or two ROI supporters there, but never really respected. Who respects a goody goody? Go ahead, join and post at will
I expect the Pole will be happy with the draw, probably stocking the bar up already.
Not keen on drawing Scotland not least because they are ranked higher than us.
Under other circumstances I would like Scotland to qualify, but now that means
it is much harder for us to qualify, although as about half the third placed team can qualify
it is possible both Ireland and Scotland qualify.
As for Germany you might as well give them a free pass to the finals, the chances of them not
qualifying are pretty much zero. Well actually they are 100-1 on to qualify, so about a 99%
chance they will qualify.
We are quoted 8/11 and 5/4 to qualify at different bookmakers.
Scotland 7/2 and 2-1
Poland 11/10
Can't delete that crap (the graphic, not my post )
Last edited by tricky_colour; 23/02/2014 at 9:38 PM.
So how about them Scots...
DID YOU NOTICE A SIGN OUTSIDE MY HOUSE...?
How so?
Just hope we don't play them at that lower league ground in G51, that will take the edge off the occasion.
Tbf, seen Irish in kilts...
I would be a strong supporter of Scotland qualifying normally but obviously not
at Ireland's expense.
Depending on how the group pans out it may be the case we could do the Scots a favour
or vice versa for example say we or the Scots are already qualified, or out of it,
The result of an essentially meaningless game for one team could determine whether
the other team finishes second third or forth.
For a similar reason we should be nice to the Germans who probably have it within their power
to determine who finished 2nd and 3rd if they chose to do so!!
Sorry to take this thread back on topic but I just seen the FIFA World rankings. I was surprised to see that Scotland are ranked so far ahead of us in 34th while we are 67th.How is that possible considering that we have qualified for a tournament recently? Although I suppose the rankings should be completely ignored when you see that Panama are ranked 32nd
Poland are 3 below us in 70th. Im still worried about them in games against us, we dont have anyone in the class of Levandowski.
The group is going to be ridiculously tight I think. I would imagine we are going to be going away to Poland in the last game needing a result to qualify
Its really not that complicated!!!
The rankings are bizarre, they'd be funny if their repercussions weren't so damaging. Lewandowski actually has a tame enough record internationally, 18 in 60. Still a threat obviously.
Last edited by DeLorean; 24/02/2014 at 10:00 AM.
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