Euro: Euro 2024 Qualifying
- Thread starter Harry22
- Start date
I could see how it can be 50/50 because he pulled his leg back so fast, there was minimal contact and Mudryk went down theatrically. But when you read what the UEFA head said before the game about Italy needing to be in the Euro's then you can see how it was a penalty that wasn't called. And you can also see the potential corruption because it wasn't even reviewed by VAR. I could care either way who qualified but damn it seems like the fix was in for Italy. And Italy doesn't have the best rep in regards to corruption so its even more shady.
Saga of the Elk
Honoured Person
- May 31, 2008
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I can breathe again, Croatia never make it easy though Armenian keeper kept it close. I need to calm down now lol
Romania beats rich albania at home to qualify first in the group and go to the second group in the final tourney. What a dirty and disgusting team rich albania is, but no wonder taking into account who they're starting. Had no idea Akanji was such a pos though, didn't really see that side of his at City. Hagi ends the game with a broken nose and Bancu with a couple missing teeth, no problem from the ref though, of course.
No goal ! Nothing to see here !
So here are the pots
1: Germany, Portugal, France, Spain, Belgium, England
2: Hungary, Turkey, Romania, Denmark, Albania, Austria
3: Netherlands, Scotland, Croatia, Slovenia, Slovakia, Czech Republic
4: Italy, Serbia, Switzerland + 3 playoff winners
And the playoffs, the draw to determine the remaining “A” team is on Thursday and the hosts of the final match in March
Path A
Poland vs Estonia
Wales vs Finland/Ukraine/Iceland
Path B
Israel vs Ukraine/Iceland
Bosnia vs Finland/Ukraine
Path C
Georgia vs Luxembourg
Greece vs Kazakhstan
1: Germany, Portugal, France, Spain, Belgium, England
2: Hungary, Turkey, Romania, Denmark, Albania, Austria
3: Netherlands, Scotland, Croatia, Slovenia, Slovakia, Czech Republic
4: Italy, Serbia, Switzerland + 3 playoff winners
And the playoffs, the draw to determine the remaining “A” team is on Thursday and the hosts of the final match in March
Path A
Poland vs Estonia
Wales vs Finland/Ukraine/Iceland
Path B
Israel vs Ukraine/Iceland
Bosnia vs Finland/Ukraine
Path C
Georgia vs Luxembourg
Greece vs Kazakhstan
There are about a dozen angles, but none overhead and the goalline technology was "not working tonight" per UEFA.
Doesn't matter much, but it's still crazy to think the amount of money UEFA has and yet you still see this happen.
It prevented France from the grand slam.
Poland was the only Pot 1 team not to qualify directly, four of them failed to win the group (Netherlands, Italy, Croatia and Switzerland, though the first two got the toughest Pot 2 teams). One Pot 4 team made it (Turkey as group winners) while Slovakia was the "lower ranked", according to UEFA's ranking system, to qualify automatically (they were a Pot 5 team). Portugal was the only team with a 100% record. Five teams didn't record a point with Gibraltar failing to even score
Top scorer was Lukaku with 14 goals, CR7 had 10, Mbappe with 9 and Kane with 8
Top scorer was Lukaku with 14 goals, CR7 had 10, Mbappe with 9 and Kane with 8
The October games made this into another messy qualification for Croatia. We always seem to go down to the last game, but then again, we always qualify - so I'll take it.
We now have time to hopefully get injured players back (Kovacic should be ready soon, but we need Perisic back, and Kramaric and Ivanusec to regain form), and with the addition of the new guys (Sucic, Baturina, Marco Pasalic, maybe Simic if he continues to play good at RB Salzburg) I'm hopeful of another deep run at the EURO.
There's no Nations League until September 2024, which - as much as some dislike it - is a shame IMO, it gives a more competitive environment to maybe test some players and build strategy etc.
We now have time to hopefully get injured players back (Kovacic should be ready soon, but we need Perisic back, and Kramaric and Ivanusec to regain form), and with the addition of the new guys (Sucic, Baturina, Marco Pasalic, maybe Simic if he continues to play good at RB Salzburg) I'm hopeful of another deep run at the EURO.
There's no Nations League until September 2024, which - as much as some dislike it - is a shame IMO, it gives a more competitive environment to maybe test some players and build strategy etc.
gary69
Registered User
Portugal's qualification campaign must be one, if not the most dominating campaign of all time. Pointwise, it obviously can't be beat statistically.
Probably someoone can outscore them, as 36 goals in 10 matches is very good, but can be surpassed. Although only conceding twice at the same time, is remarkable.
I'm not hopeful, even though they qualified the group was not that difficult and outside of a few games they didn't play great, they need to get younger and more athletic. The October window was weird, too many absences and I think the Livaja thing effected the team more than people think, not that he is a difference maker but I don't think Dalic handled that situation well. While he has done an overall good job, I think its time to think about replacing Dalic post Euros, I'm never a big fan of keeping international coaches for multiple cycles in the first place and the US (slight OT I know) will see that with Berhalter
Savi
Registered User
It still doesn't make any sense to me, as well as why Estonia who finished dead last in the Belgium group with 1(!) point did make the playoff or why Italy are in pot 4 for the draw as DEFENDING CHAMPIONS
UEFA truly are a hilarious bunch
N o o d l e s
Registered User
It still doesn't make any sense to me, as well as why Estonia who finished dead last in the Belgium group with 1(!) point did make the playoff or why Italy are in pot 4 for the draw as DEFENDING CHAMPIONS
It’s a weird system because of the unbalanced groups naturally in qualifying but the pots were strictly determined by results in qualifying. Italy were runners-up and only got 14 points from 8 matches (though they were in one of the strongest groups).
As for Estonia they were the best League D side in the NL (after a whopping perfect record against Malta and San Marino!) so they were guaranteed a playoff spot but against the highest ranked team who didn’t qualify
Playoff draw in completed, Wales and Ukraine will be relatively happy, we might see an upset in Path C, Greece favorites on paper but potentially a tricky away trip in the final, Georgia though will miss their best player in the semi due to suspension
Path A
Poland vs Estonia
Wales vs Finland
*final will be hosted by winner of WAL/FIN
Path B
Bosnia vs Ukraine
Israel vs Iceland
*final will be hosted by winner of BiH/UKR
Path C
Georgia vs Luxembourg
Greece vs Kazakhstan
*final will be hosted by winner of GEO/LUX
According to ELO, Path A is essentially a toss up between Poland and Wales, giving Finland about 20% chances (Estonia 1%). Ukraine heavy favorites in B (74%) with Bosnia at only 16, they don’t give much of a chance to the other pair. Greece slight favorites over Georgia. But football is played on the pitch not mathematics so we shall see
Path A
Poland vs Estonia
Wales vs Finland
*final will be hosted by winner of WAL/FIN
Path B
Bosnia vs Ukraine
Israel vs Iceland
*final will be hosted by winner of BiH/UKR
Path C
Georgia vs Luxembourg
Greece vs Kazakhstan
*final will be hosted by winner of GEO/LUX
According to ELO, Path A is essentially a toss up between Poland and Wales, giving Finland about 20% chances (Estonia 1%). Ukraine heavy favorites in B (74%) with Bosnia at only 16, they don’t give much of a chance to the other pair. Greece slight favorites over Georgia. But football is played on the pitch not mathematics so we shall see
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Wee Baby Seamus
Yo, Goober, where's the meat?
Wales, Iceland, Kazakhstan.
Really depends on if Lewandowski is in form or not, he single handily can carry Poland but he's been off and the team has followed his lead.
Iceland isn't at the same heights as they were previously but have been steadily improving throughout qualifying. Feel like Ukraine could have a hangover from the Italy game and they lack a true goalscorer. Bosnia and Iceland can park the bus and grind out the game to a shootout where anything can happen.
Georgia will be missing Kvaratskelia for the first game and Luxembourg isn't a push over so can easily lose. Kazakhstan had a good qualifying and think they are the best team out of the 4.
Really depends on if Lewandowski is in form or not, he single handily can carry Poland but he's been off and the team has followed his lead.
Iceland isn't at the same heights as they were previously but have been steadily improving throughout qualifying. Feel like Ukraine could have a hangover from the Italy game and they lack a true goalscorer. Bosnia and Iceland can park the bus and grind out the game to a shootout where anything can happen.
Georgia will be missing Kvaratskelia for the first game and Luxembourg isn't a push over so can easily lose. Kazakhstan had a good qualifying and think they are the best team out of the 4.
I know maybe I’m guilty of looking too much at history but Ukraine tend to choke in these type of matches. They only have won one playoff in their history (a tight two leg tie against Slovenia) and always seem to lose these big games like at Wales for Qatar despite outplaying them. However they should qualify, Bosnia is a mess now and it won’t be so much of a home field advantage
Wales-Poland, would prefer to see Poland but both these teams are awful to watch, but Wales don’t play a brand of football I enjoy (long balls, set pieces, long throw-ins). Georgia has a legit chance, though Greece didn’t look too bad in a tough qualifying group despite what looks on paper a weak squad of very few guys playing in the top leagues and mostly domestic based
Wales-Poland, would prefer to see Poland but both these teams are awful to watch, but Wales don’t play a brand of football I enjoy (long balls, set pieces, long throw-ins). Georgia has a legit chance, though Greece didn’t look too bad in a tough qualifying group despite what looks on paper a weak squad of very few guys playing in the top leagues and mostly domestic based
Are Wales really still playing that way? Seems like with Johnson, Wilson, Broadhead and Jordan James they play a much faster ball on the floor kind of game. They also have some good wingbacks as well. They need a upgrade in goal and a true center forward so Johnson can play on the wing.
