Euro: UEFA Euro 2020 Qualifying

[robertmac43]

Jeeze this is becoming far bigger than football, going to be interesting to follow this story line.

 

[TheMoreYouKnow]

Political interference in the FA gets you banned quicker from competition in FIFA than racist fans.

While the FA there is almost certainly a haven for corruption and criminal activity...this does smell like a phone call from the government concerned about the embarrassment this caused the country got the ball rolling here.

 

[Chimaera]

I mean, that probably solves some of the problem. It's also related to the idea of tossing them out fixing it.

When it comes down to it, the FA in most of these countries are getting paid. Whether that's due to skimming off the top, kickbacks, or you name it. If you put pressure on that money, they'll take steps to fix the problem.

As for the supporters not caring, sure, they might not. But if the FA has financial impetus to screen, ban, and also educate against these actions, they will.

 

[Jussi]

 

[Lepardi]

Iceland will almost certainly be in the playoffs (its something like 95% certain),

What's the other 5 percent for? Them qualifying before the playoffs?

 

[HajdukSplit]

What's the other 5 percent for? Them qualifying before the playoffs?

Pretty much, I should have just said Iceland are guaranteed minimum playoffs. If all the favorites qualify who are in danger of not (Switzerland & Croatia) then they will basically have to better the likes of Hungary, Israel and Bulgaria in the playoffs. We will know about Switzerland later today, if they don’t beat Ireland they will likely be in Iceland’s path

With Finland’s win it’s now a must win for Bosnia in Greece. While Greece have been awful recently they have had some success against BiH and cost them qualification a couple times

 

[Pouchkine]

Which two/three positions do you feel need upgrading the most and with whom? Just curious

I guess the spot where De Roon played and Dumfries-Vetlman + Babel-Bergwijn. I don't know exactly who could play there at the moment but for next year it will be important to improve those positions and also on-field leadership.

 

[Pouchkine]

So that would be the first time Finland qualifies for a major comptetion? 24 teams helps but still good for them.

 

[Lepardi]

So that would be the first time Finland qualifies for a major comptetion?

Yes it would. "Pasila" is one of the most legendary Finnish TV comedy series of the last 20 years. Eight years ago they had an episode where Finland had a chance of qualifying if they only manage to beat Liechtenstein at home. They naturally lost.

We're pretty close now to a situation where Finland can secure a place at the Euros by beating Liechtenstein at home in November.

 

[Bon Esprit]

So apparently UEFA is investigating the incidents during the Bulgaria game and the games involving turkish players.

Man, I hate this political stuff in sports

german source
Nach rassistischen Vorfällen und Militärgruß: UEFA eröffnet Verfahren

 

[S E P H]

Throw them out. I know it sucks for a few fans, but make a statement and punish the federation by limiting their money from the tournaments, and they'll crack down on stupidity.

This is a pretty disgusting new story, but why punish the entire country and players for the work of about 20 or so hooligans? Now those stories about BFA getting raided by officers is sort of troubling, but I'll wait until we find out what they actually found. I just don't see why the players deserve the same punishment as the fans, they should be allowed to compete in the Euros even if it's in front of an empty stadium.

 

[Eye of Ra]

So that would be the first time Finland qualifies for a major comptetion? 24 teams helps but still good for them.

yes finland always was worse than sweden, denmark, norway and iceland.

 

[Lepardi]

yes finland always was worse than sweden, denmark, norway and iceland.

I'm pretty sure Finland has usually been better than Iceland.

 

[Pouchkine]

I'm pretty sure Finland has usually been better than Iceland.

Well Iceland has already made a Euro QF and a World Cup...

 

[Eye of Ra]

I'm pretty sure Finland has usually been better than Iceland.

when?

 

[TheMoreYouKnow]

Before that 2016 Euro campaign Iceland were considered a team like Albania or Armenia ie not quite utterly hopeless but likely to never qualify.

 

[Prntscrn]

In the end Berg just couldn't f*** it up. But he did everything in his power to do so

 

[Lepardi]

when?

Between 1911 and 2012. Iceland was 132nd in the FIFA rankings as late as 2012. If you look at the history of the teams, I'm willing to bet Finland's been ranked ahead of Iceland for the vast majority of the time.

 

[Hockeyfrilla]

GOOOOOOOL Berg

 

[Prntscrn]

f***ing Norway

 

[koyvoo]

Just knew Spain would equalize. Good race now for second place in that group. Ireland, Denmark and Switzerland also in dog fight atop their group.

 

[Prntscrn]

Love you Norway

 

[koyvoo]

Wow. Norway with an equalizer of their own in the 90th gives Sweden some breathing room.

 

[HajdukSplit]

Crazy matchday, Norway help Sweden a bit, but now the question is if Spain will even be seeded anymore in the Euros, it will be tight but every dropped point is crucial. Ireland lost in Switzerland meaning for the 100th time they will face a crucial matchup with Denmark for qualification at stake

 

[AB13]

Perfect gamplan by Janne the Goat, just unlucky to not win like we deserved. Brilliant performance, should have been a free kick before the goal. No one comes to Sweden and beats us easially, Italy, France, the Netherlands and Spain all failed.