Euro 2008 Qualifiers

[luckyjackson]

Whoa.

Uefa's not kidding around anymore. Anyone taken a good look at the qualifying draws? The way they've split these there will be no easy groups. Greece being automatically seeded first is a joke, considering they could not even qualify for the World Cup.

Pot 1

Greece
Netherlands
Portugal
England
Czech Republic
France
Sweden

Pot 2

Germany
Croatia
Italy
Turkey
Poland
Spain
Romania

Pot 3

Serbia and Montenegro
Russia
Denmark
Norway
Bulgaria
Ukraine
Slovakia

Pot 4

Bosnia-Herzegovina
Republic of Ireland
Belgium
Latvia
Israel
Scotland
Slovenia

Pot 5

Hungary
Finland
Estonia
Wales
Lithuania
Albania
Iceland

Pot 6

Georgia
F.Y.R. Macedonia
Belarus
Armenia
Northern Ireland
Cyprus
Moldova

Pot 7

Liechtenstein
Azerbaijan
Andorra
Malta
Faroe Islands
Kazakhstan
Luxembourg
San Marino

 

[Big Michael]

I don't think that's the draw. UEFA will selct one team from each of the pots to create the pools for qualification purposes.

 

[luckyjackson]

ummm...that's why I called them what they are, qualifying draws. Of course they are the pots that will now be drawn from. Last time I checked you don't get that many teams at the finals.

 

[Fingers]

That's not the groups. As mentioned earlier they will pick one team from each pot and go from there.........Don't see why Greece being in Pot 1 is a joke? Afterall they are the defending champions and regardless if they could not qualify the World Cup should not alter there place for this draw. Afterall Holland did not even qualify last World Cup, does this make them a bad team? And a team like Costa Rica a powerhouse? We all know European qualifying is the toughest.

Aside from that I doubt Greece will make much noise from this point on since most of there core wil be over 30 and it's time for them to step aside for the kids which will mean another dissapointing qualification for the Greeks.

Guess they were still celebrating, drinking ouzo and eating souvlaki instead of trying to qualify for the World Cup.

 

[the_big_E]

one word:

fluke

 

[donotgetset]

Euro 2008.....

The South Americans are the best, watch how Brazil is going to rule this year in the world cup!

 

[topcat]

Euro 2008.....

The South Americans are the best, watch how Brazil is going to rule this year in the world cup!

C,MON ENGLAND!! Remember you beat England in 2002 only by a "fluke"
goal by that Bunghole Rohaldino. Don,t count your chickens before they
hatch. Look what Greece did in 04. Oh where is Greece this time around?
Lol..

 

[donotgetset]

Beat this team?

Dida

Cicinho Roque Junior Lucio Gilberto
Emerson
Kaka Ze Roberto
Ronaldinho
Robinho
Adriano

 

[Fingers]

Greeks are still celebrating there 2004 Championship since it's probably going to be the only time they can celebrate...........

 

[the_big_E]

Roque Junior stinks period...they're offence altogether is well, amazing, but to me there defence is still a little suspect, they are vulnerable IMO...

Since I'm on the topic, as long as Sven is running the show, England wont do anything. He still hasnt figured out that midfield. Like Lampard and Gerrard simply cant play together, they're the same position, and thats too bad really...also England doesnt have a reliable #1 Goalkeeper either...I guess all of our questions will be answered in June/July!

 

[topcat]

Roque Junior stinks period...they're offence altogether is well, amazing, but to me there defence is still a little suspect, they are vulnerable IMO...

Since I'm on the topic, as long as Sven is running the show, England wont do anything. He still hasnt figured out that midfield. Like Lampard and Gerrard simply cant play together, they're the same position, and thats too bad really...also England doesnt have a reliable #1 Goalkeeper either...I guess all of our questions will be answered in June/July!

Yes I agree there are questions. But England usally figure things out and
put a "respectable" performance in the WC. Just don,t go to shootouts, lol..
This is the best squad they have had in years. Combination of youth & Veterans should benefit them. Their Goalkeeping has been upgraded, (you
remember David James?) enough said. As far as Sven goes this is his
last go around I figure, the only way he sticks around is if England makes
it to the final. There is mounting pressure, so we shall see next June...

 

[luckyjackson]

That's not the groups. As mentioned earlier they will pick one team from each pot and go from there.........Don't see why Greece being in Pot 1 is a joke? Afterall they are the defending champions and regardless if they could not qualify the World Cup should not alter there place for this draw. Afterall Holland did not even qualify last World Cup, does this make them a bad team? And a team like Costa Rica a powerhouse? We all know European qualifying is the toughest.

Let me try one more time. I know those weren't the groups. That's why I labelled them "pots". The point of my post was that when you look at these pots and see the groups that could potentially emerge, there will be no easy groups, and probably more than one "group of death". Clear?

I agree European qualifying is toughest, that's probably why Europe should get an additional berth...maybe at the expense of North America.

Oh, and in case you didn't know, performance in W.C. qualifying does count towards Euro ranking. That's why seeding Greece as number 1 is silly. They're benefitting from the rule that says reigning champions get seeded first. It's a bad rule.

 

[the_big_E]

Greece being in Pot #1, is good for the teams in other pots, because that group wouldn't be a group of death.

on a side note, if Canada was any good, and could have reached the last CONCACAF qualifying stage and finished 4th, they'd play Bahrain or Uzbekistan (I know this game is done, forgot who won) for a shot at the World Cup! ugggh...I dont think Canada is making a World Cup in my time...

 

[David Beckham 23]

Since I'm on the topic, as long as Sven is running the show, England wont do anything. He still hasnt figured out that midfield. Like Lampard and Gerrard simply cant play together, they're the same position, and thats too bad really...also England doesnt have a reliable #1 Goalkeeper either...I guess all of our questions will be answered in June/July!

So then who would you bench? They're both playing some great football, especially Lampard. As soon as he benches one of them, and they lose? Guess what will happen.

 

[the_big_E]

It's a lose-lose situation almost...when either one of them plays out of position, they aren't as nearly as effective...so to answer your question, I dont know, thats Sven's job!

 

[David Beckham 23]

It's a lose-lose situation almost...when either one of them plays out of position, they aren't as nearly as effective...so to answer your question, I dont know, thats Sven's job!

LOL - Good answer!

 

[the_big_E]

hey Beckham, nice red card today!

 

[David Beckham 23]

hey Beckham, nice red card today!

For clapping