Euro: Euro 2024 Qualifying

[N o o d l e s]

See here’s the thing, they’ll blow out north Macedonia only to lose to Ukraine on the last match day

NEVERMIND

Italy collapse incoming? It's 3-2 now with 20 mins left.

Yes

 

[gary69]

Raspadori easies some nerves by scoring Italy's fourth.

 

[HajdukSplit]

Italy got a slight scare at home to Macedonia but they win and now only need a point Monday against Ukraine. Both sides are guaranteed a playoff but Italy’s route could see Poland and Croatia (if Croatia don’t qualify directly)

Poland are out of the top two race after a home draw to the Czechs. They will be in the playoffs, as of now they will avoid Croatia in the semis but could face Italy if they don’t qualify directly. Czechs need a draw at home to Moldova to qualify. Moldova must win

Denmark qualify after beating Slovenia. It’s down to Slovenia-Kazakhstan with the Kazakhs needing to win. Kazakhstan though are guaranteed a playoff spot

 

[gary69]

Big game between Poland and Czech Republic tonight. Poles need to win as this is their last game, Czechs are in a better spot with two games left but need a result of some sort to keep their fate in their own hands; a loss would seriously complicate the math.

Poles could only draw, so they're out.

 

[Juve]

@N o o d l e s We did it!!! Italy beat Macedonia!!!!

We should all do cartwheels together!!!!

 

[N o o d l e s]

@N o o d l e s We did it!!! Italy beat Macedonia!!!!

We should all do cartwheels together!!!!

What a sad time

 

[cgf]

What a sad time

Beating cooler Macedonia is always worth celebrating...

 

[member 305909]

One of the playoff-paths is likely to include Bosnia, Finland, Ukraine and Israel and Finland is going to play away but surely not in Ukraine or Israel given the circumstances.

Where do those countries play their home-matches now?

 

[HajdukSplit]

Ukraine play in Poland or Germany. For now Israel play in Hungary but their clubs will play in Serbia. Israel and Bosnia are guaranteed home games for now, the others got to wait and see. In Playoff A it could easily be Croatia/Estonia vs Italy/Poland

 

[HajdukSplit]

Wales score another goal from one of their long throw-ins just before the half tie the game. Armenia scored early but haven't done much since. Both teams need to win so it would be a wild finish but both sides lack quality. Wales look more threatening, outside of former MLS-MVP Zelarayan, Armenia don't have much quality. However, Wales probably should be down to 10, Mepham got away with a second yellow (he is suspended regardless for the next match)

 

[Juve]

What a sad time

You have to thank the FIGC and their Pre-Historic mentality.

 

[HajdukSplit]

Wales draw away at Armenia, they are so limited they never came close to scoring in the second half and showed no desperation. Armenia couldn't hit the target to save their lives, should have won. They had two corners in stoppage time (and thankfully for Croatia lol) they didn't send everybody up. Armenia will be eliminated with a Croatia win later today, Croatia control their own destiny

 

[gary69]

Croatia have started well and have the early goal by Majer to show for it. Croatia has all the possession and Latvia hasn't been able to even counter attack much.

Edit: It's now 2-0 after 15 mins, Kramaric scores.

 

[HajdukSplit]

Pretty routine win for Croatia in Riga though in the 2nd half they played half gas preserving the result. Armenia eliminated, Croatia need to beat Armenia at home. Wales must win and hope Croatia drop points. Turkey will win the group with only a point or Croatia dropping points. Both Wales and Croatia guaranteed a playoff, Croatia will certainly host the semi should they fail to qualify

In the later kickoffs, the big game is Israel-Romania, a must win match for Israel. The Swiss host Kosovo needing a win to guarantee qualification, anything less then it gets dicey for them depending on the other result

 

[Wee Baby Seamus]

Zaire Emery, 17 years old, starting today. f*** man

 

[Evilo]

Was coming to write this.
Amazing, but what's even more amazing is that it's totally deserved.
Deepest squad on earth, and he deserves to start.

This isn't like Spain giving games to every 16 year old that shines for a couple of games. He's been dominant the whole season.

 

[Wee Baby Seamus]

The laugh reaction is at Spain's trigger happy cap policy, not at his deserving of the start.

Can a German explain to me why Bernd Leno is behind Baumann and Blaswich in the NT pecking order? Leno has been very arguably the second best keeper in the PL the last two years.

 

[Evilo]

Obviously Lamal is paying off, but for every Lamal, Spain has had 2 or 3 ridiculous callups.

 

[Wee Baby Seamus]

Obviously Lamal is paying off, but for every Lamal, Spain has had 2 or 3 ridiculous callups.

With dual nationals especially, I think it's irresponsible and unfair for bigger NTs to cap tie people that young just to cap tie them - which is what Spain did with Munir and he was stuck til he was 26 and FIFA let him switch to Morocco.

 

[cgf]

Can a German explain to me why Bernd Leno is behind Baumann and Blaswich in the NT pecking order? Leno has been very arguably the second best keeper in the PL the last two years.

My guess is that MAtS and Trapp are pretty established as our top 2, and Baumann's a good 3rd keeper who wouldn't interfere with team cohesion like Leno could if he showed up thinking he should start.

No clue about Blaswich, but he's doing well above his xGagainst this season and kinda came out of nowhere, so my theory is Nagelsmann just wanted to get a look at him in training since MAtS was banged up anyway.

 

[Wee Baby Seamus]

My guess is that MAtS and Trapp are pretty established as our top 2, and Baumann's a good 3rd keeper who wouldn't interfere with team cohesion like Leno could if he showed up thinking he should start.

No clue about Blaswich, but he's doing well above his xGagainst this season and kinda came out of nowhere, so my theory is Nagelsmann just wanted to get a look at him in training since MAtS was banged up anyway.

That makes sense, and I'm a big subscriber to "third keeper is for team cohesion" positions. My confusion was largely why Trapp is ahead of Leno, but I suppose that's because Trapp has been with the squad for the last few tournaments.

I'm mainly just a big proponent of the "Leno is extremely underrated" thesis, so figured I'd ask.

 

[cgf]

That makes sense, and I'm a big subscriber to "third keeper is for team cohesion" positions. My confusion was largely why Trapp is ahead of Leno, but I suppose that's because Trapp has been with the squad for the last few tournaments.

I'm mainly just a big proponent of the "Leno is extremely underrated" thesis, so figured I'd ask.

I think a big part of it is that Leno used to believe he was just as good or better than Neuer & MAtS. So he was never a happy camper as the third keeper while they were all in their primes, and there's probably concerns that he wouldn't be happy about being the #2 now.

Plus Trapp has done well in recent years & has the more prestigious achievement club; winning the EL with SGE.

 

[gary69]

France takes the lead early through an own goal after Clauss low cross. Then Thuram forces a 2nd goal in from a close range.

Match is basically already over after 4 minutes, not than France win was ever in doubt.

 

[HajdukSplit]

Not that it matters in terms of results but find it weird an English ref can do a Gibraltar match

 

[gary69]

Where did that came for Weghorst? He blast a massive shot into near corner.