SO IRELAND’S VICTORY tonight means they’re through to the play-offs. But who can we potentially face? Well, in short, one of either Bosnia, Turkey, Montenegro or Estonia.
Indeed initially, no one seemed quite sure whether Ireland had gotten a seeded spot, which conceivably enables you to face inferior opposition, as well as getting to play the second leg of the play-off match at home.
However, both FAI and UEFA quickly confirmed to reporters that Ireland had secured a coveted seeded spot.
But that’s just one aspect of a number of fascinating permutations arising from tonight’s action. For more, simply read on and bask in all the complex glory of the Euro 2012 qualifiers.
GROUP A
Germany had already qualified, but secured their 100% record by beating Belgium 3-1. That result enabled Turkey to gain second spot in the group at the expense of Belgium, after they beat Azerbaijan with a narrow 1-0 victory.
Qualified: Germany
Play-offs: Turkey
Eliminated: Belgium, Austria, Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan.
GROUP B
If you’ve been living under rock for the past few hours, you won’t know that Ireland have secured their play-off place with a win over Armenia, while Russia confirmed their place at the top of the group with a 6-0 win over Andorra.
Qualified: Russia
Play-offs: Ireland
Eliminated: Armenia, Slovakia, Macedonia and Andorra.
GROUP C
Italy had already qualified, so their 3-0 win over Northern Ireland was irrelevant. Meanwhile, Serbia’s 1-0 loss to Slovenia opened the door for Estonia (who weren’t playing tonight) to come second at their expense.
Qualified: Italy
Play-offs: Estonia
Eliminated: Serbia, Slovenia, Northern Ireland and Faroe Islands.
GROUP D
France qualified thanks to a late Samir Nasri goal. Meanwhile, Bosnia’s 1-1 draw with the French meant they had to make do with a play-off spot. All the other teams in the group had been knocked out before tonight.
Qualified: France
Play-offs: Bosnia
Eliminated: Romania, Belarus, Albania and Luxembourg.
GROUP E
Sweden beat Holland 3-2, which means they qualify as best runners up, while Holland, who had already qualified, lose their 100% record.
Qualified: Holland and Sweden (best runner-up)
Eliminated: Hungary, Finland, Moldova and San Marino.
GROUP F
(AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis)
Greece beat Georgia 2-1, enabling Otto Rehhagel’s side to top the group, which meant that Croatia’s 2-0 win over Latvia was academic.
Qualified: Greece
Play-offs: Croatia
Eliminated: Israel, Latvia, Georgia and Malta.
GROUP G
This was the only group in which everything had been decided prior to tonight’s games, with England’s draw against Montenegro on Friday meaning that the former qualified and the latter secured their position in the play-offs.
Qualified: England
Play-offs: Montenegro
Eliminated: Switzerland, Wales and Bulgaria.
GROUP H
Denmark’s victory over Portugal meant they topped the group, while Norway lost out to Cristiano Ronaldo’s team for second spot. Despite beating Cyprus 3-1, they went out on goal difference.
Qualified: Denmark
Play-offs: Portugal
Eliminated: Norway, Iceland and Cyprus.
GROUP I
Czech Republic confirmed their place in the play-offs with a win over Lithuania, while Scotland’s faint qualification hopes ended after a 3-1 loss to Spain, who had already qualified.
Qualified: Spain
Play-offs: Czech Republic
Eliminated: Scotland, Lithuania and Liechtenstein.
Read: As it happened: Ireland v Armenia>
Gallery: Ireland seal Euro 2012 play-off spot>
He’s right. It probably would rain. Plus the permits & loss of Pay per view money. They only care about one thing: money. A major UfC bout may never occur in Croke Park.
of course they only care about money, thats what business is all about.
I thought this was sport though?
MMA is a sport. UFC is a promotional business.
It’s a comerisal sport with professional fighters. Of course its about the money The fighters only have a few year’s (if that) of being at the top there game. When they are retired from fighting what do you expect them to live on.
they could get a job and live on their salary?
Yea they could go get a placement with jobs Bridge as an intern in tesco.
Really all sport is about business and turning a profit even amateur sport is about business these days
McGreror’s an awful knacker. Not representative of Crumlin at all.
I’m not from Crumlin but I believe you might be wrong there . Far worse has come out of Crumlin .
I know. Me.
Don’t get me wrong. I believe the vast majority of Crumlin natives are salt of the earth. McGregor too but needs to act the part to earn his nickname.
Philip I know guys that train with him regular and it’s all a way of getting inside the other guy’s head. He is supposed to be a good guy.
He is marmite and whether you love him or hate him its great to see an Irish athlete on the top of his game screaming for a title shot. If we had more people that opened there mouths and walked the walked with it we wouldn’t be messed around by bankers, politicians and others in this country.
#FightingIrisharetakingover!!
Does anyone understand sarcasm?? Watched the fight last night. Great stuff.
Anyone else think the confrontation at the end was staged? McGregor didn’t seemed to bothered trying to get past the first fella.
Staged? No. Opportunistic? Almost definitely. Mcgregor seems to know how to play the game. I think he means what he says, he wants to prove himself – but he also knows that a confrontation like that will have fans salivating for the fight.
Hey come on it is all staged think about it, a leprechaun fighting a Brazilian in Vegas perfect, huge amount of people watching Irish americans, Brazilians …what a draw. UFC ching ching then its on to the next act maybe a China man and a yank???
I can’t help but feel aldo is notches above anything MC gregor fought and will be to good for him! Maybe I’ll be wrong
Aldo is leagues ahead of Conor’s competition up until now. I actually think Frankie Edgar would give Conor trouble. It will be squeaky-bum time in May.
He’s the champion Shane so obviously he’s better than everyone else!
I said hes streets ahead of everyone mc gregor has fought till now! I saw aldo fight, impreessive! The bottom line is your still dont know how good C MCG is! May will tell! If aldo goes in and destroys MCG is that the end for him?
If Edgar smothered him like he did against Cub Swanson it would be an extremely difficult fight for him.
I find the whole thing under whelming
Cheers Stephen
I hope Aldo puts manners on that notorious mouthpiece.
Viva las Vegas
I hope it does not clash with Slane !! Don’t think I could handle that much excitement in 24 hours .
Just watched the presser, Love him or hate him, he’s pure entertainment, smarter than you’d think, and a potential goldmine for the UFC. And Middleton!
And so the brooks fiasco comes back to bite ass
Pretty much. Thanks DCC.
Some one please knock this clown out and shut him up
Why do you want that Billy?
Good man Conor best of luck… The chap obviously puts in a lot of hard graft to get to that level and he is a bit mouthy but so was Muhammad Ali
Ah shite,unless I win the lotto “Ni raibh me ag dul “
I’m n vegas the week before. .wonder if I emailed Dana White would he reschedule?
McGregor is good, very good, but I think Aldo may give him a lesson.
Rubbish !
Unfortunately I think there will be a minority that will despise Conor Mc Gregor purely because he’s a Dub. Sad I know but theres a few people in the country that live sad lives. Well done conor
A little bit of class Goes a long way . This man is a great fighter but not a classy fighter .
What an embarrassing show-man-mouth… after the fight…
its a business he is making money for them and himself.He has no doubt proved himself to be a title contender and i think he will win it.
But what about sportsmanship, he makes a fool of himself and that is embarrassing as he is an ambassador for the sport as he is for Ireland?
No Michael, paddy Holohan is the ambassador!
You could say that every Irish person who travels abroad is an ambassador for Ireland too. Not just sports people?