UEFA Euro 2020 Qualifying

[daan]

You could argue we didn't need them when they were getting beat 5, 6, 7 nil every game, but now they're getting draws or only losing by one or two goals, where's the problem?

 

[Jimlaad43]

Also, the Nations League was created to give those smaller teams a chance to actually play each other and have a chance. Gibraltar, Liechtenstein and the Faroe Islands all managed to get a win, while Andorra and Malta scraped a few draws. Yes, San Marino managed to lose all 6 of their games, but that's what makes Europe such an interesting continent. It has those tiny countries or territories hiding around that exist on the world stage.

Anyway, if you're from a bigger footballing country, surely the occasional 9-0 victory over another country can be fun

 

[Liquid]

Do we really need countries like San Marino, Andorra, Luxemburg and Lichenstein.

They're countries (well, territories)... so... yes?

Absolutely. UEFA lets them in so blame UEFA if you have a problem with a sovereign country being small or sparsely populated?

The Nations League, something I was initially against, is brilliant for the "smaller nations". Luxemburg playing San Marino and Moldova is far more competitive for all involved.

 

[SestoScudo]

A lot the time they get pummeled getting draw or a loss is no doubt embarassing.

I think a lot of time teams like spain, england, france and other european heavyweights usually treat these games as easy way to get points.

 

[Famine]

A lot the time they get pummeled getting draw or a loss is no doubt embarassing.

I think a lot of time teams like spain, england, france and other european heavyweights usually treat these games as easy way to get points.

Everyone thought the same thing about Cyprus, Albania and Iceland not too long ago...

 

[MUSC4EVER]

Forgot to post the results last night.

Armenia 4-2 Bosnia
Georgia 0-0 Denmark
Romania 1-0 Malta
Switzerland 4-0 Gibraltar
Finland 1-2 Italy
Greece 1-1 Liechtenstein
Spain 4-0 Faroe Islands

Did anyone hear about what happened before the France-Albania game the other night? They accidently played the Andorra national anthem instead of the Albanian one, the players refused to play unless the correct national anthem was played (which is fair enough) after a few minutes they played the correct music and then the stadium announcer apologised....to Armenia!

 

[Liquid]

I watched Hungary vs Slovakia this evening; free on terrestrial telly.

Not only is it a huge derby between two nations who historically hate each other but the fact that Slovakia won 2-1 is helpful to Wales in terms of the group:

Croatia P5 10pts +4
Slovakia P5 9pts +2
Hungary P5 9pts +2
Wales P4 6pts 0

The fact that Slovakia-Hungary-Croatia have been taking points off each other, coupled with Croatia drawing against Azerbaijan earlier today, means that with our "game in hand" the double header next month against Slovakia (A) and Croatia (H) is crucial.

Two victories? Potentially top of the group.
One win and a draw? Second in the group.
One win? Really in with a chance, possibly joint-second pending head-to-head records.

Would set us up very nicely for the final two games which are reasonably favourable in Azerbaijan (A) and Hungary (H).

I am still Giggs out, we :censored:ing laboured to a 1-0 win over Belarus in a friendly tonight, but there's still everything to play for.

 

[MUSC4EVER]

Scotland got hammered 0-4 and Northern Ireland put up a good fight against Germany but ultimately lost 0-2, also Netherlands had a big win in Estonia winning 0-4 and Croatia only managed a point in Azerbaijan

 

[Touring Mars]

Scotland actually played really well for the first 7 minutes, but it went a bit downhill after that.

Belgium, though, are the best team in the world, and in De Bruyne they have one of the best players on the planet as well - it was always going to be a tall order for Scotland...

 

[Liquid]

Mental how Wales seem to be the only team from the islands who seem to be able to do something against them. We had two wins in 8 months against them.

 

[Touring Mars]

56 minutes gone and England have conceded 3 goals to Kosovo already....

...just as well England have scored 5 already themselves, but still...

 

[MUSC4EVER]

England 5-3 Kosovo.

What a mad game this was!, Kosovo went ahead after just 34 seconds after a calamity at the back then England roared back with three goals, Kosovo lost the plot at the end of the second half as a couple of decisions went against them as they scored and own goal and Jadon Sancho getting his first England goals and they went into half time with a 5-1 lead, Kosovo came back into at the start of the second half with a Berisha curler and Muriqui penalty and Kane then had a penalty saved, England get the win but were given a big scare from a good Kosovo team.

Elsewhere France beat Andorra 3-0 and had a million shots on goal plus Portugal beat Lithuania 1-5 with four coming from Ronaldo.

 

[Tired Tyres]

56 minutes gone and England have conceded 3 goals to Kosovo already....

...just as well England have scored 5 already themselves, but still...

That is one leaky defence.

 

[Liquid]

Delighted for Kosovo; showing what well-drilled, "small" countries can do. They had Europe's longest unbeaten run prior to last night's game and on the back of defeating Czechia 2-1, a valiant 3-5 defeat against England is nothing to be ashamed of for a country whose FIFA ranking is in the triple figures.

 

[MUSC4EVER]

That's it for the qualifiers until next month.

 

[MUSC4EVER]

Euro 2020 qualifiers are back on this week.

 

[daan]

Woo, I'll try and contain my excitement.

 

[Touring Mars]

Just our bloody luck - a home tie against San Marino just as Scotland outlaws spanking

At least we can use this as an excuse when we only win 1-0. Or draw.

 

[MUSC4EVER]

Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland all in action tomorrow night, with all three away from home, Wales in Slovakia, Scotland in Russia and Northern Ireland in the Netherlands.

 

[MUSC4EVER]

Tonight results.

Kazakhstan 1-2 Cyprus
Belarus 0-0 Estonia
Slovakia 1-1 Wales
Belgium 9-0 San Marino
North Macedonia 2-1 Slovenia
Russia 4-0 Scotland
Croatia 3-0 Hungary
Austria 3-1 Israel
Latvia 0-3 Poland
Netherlands 3-1 Northern Ireland

Norther Ireland took the lead with their first shot on target but Netherlands came back to win in a mad last 15 minutes. Scotland were 0-0 with Russia at half time but crumpled in the second half, decent away point for Wales but they did take the lead, and Belgium really did put nine past San Marino!

Goals galore tonight.

 

[MUSC4EVER]

Tonight's results.

Czech Republic 2-1 England
Portugal 3-0 Luxembourg
Ukraine 2-0 Lithuania
Andorra 1-0 Moldova
Montenegro 0-0 Bulgaria
Turkey 1-0 Albania
Iceland 0-1 France

England lost their first qualifier in 10 years, it was a bad performance and England were flat throughout, elsewhere Andorra actually won a match!

 

[andrea]

England really are the Tottenham of international football.

 

[SestoScudo]

Funny how people are triggered over this.

 

[Jimlaad43]

I'm missing something there. Is there some other connotation to that salute that's supposed to be neo-Nazi or derogatory to Albanians or something?

 

[MUSC4EVER]

Italy have qualified for the Euros after victory over Finland las night, Spain could have also qualified with a win over Norway but a late Josh King penalty means they have to wait.

Belgium beat Kazakhstan 0-2 earlier and there are four qualifiers on now, including Netherlands 0-1 up v Belarus and Scotland 2-0 v San Marino in the pouring rain.

Four more games on a bit later including Wales v Croatia and Estonia v Germany.

 

[die996]

ABOUT OUTRAGEOUS RESULTS during EURO QUALIFYING STUFF:

I still remember when Spain obliterated Austria 9-0 in March 1999. It's still the 2nd biggest win by Spain in an official match, only bettered by the legendary 12-1 match against Malta to qualify for the 1984 Euro (Spain needed a +11 result to get 1st place in the group and qualify for the tournament).

 

[MUSC4EVER]

Germany beat Estonia 0-3 and Wales put in a good shift to draw 1-1 with Croatia.

 

[MUSC4EVER]

So England are playing their qualifier away in Bulgaria and are 0-4 up and flying, two from Barkley, a banger from Rashford and Sterling just got the fourth. However the ref had to suspend play twice in that half because of racist chanting and booing, the first time came about halfway through and they had to put a message out to the fans warning them to stop, the second time was right before half time which was a longer stoppage when the ref was discussing with the delegates and follow officials and the managers about what to do, they played on and its now half time, the chanting seems to be aimed at Tyrone Mings (who is making his debut) and Raheem Sterling, the stadium they are playing in is partially closed because of racist chanting in previous Euro qualifiers.

 

[Touring Mars]

Disgusting racial abuse from Bulgarian fans giving Nazi salutes and even wearing tops mocking UEFA's 'Respect' agenda.

England are responding in a great manner by absolutely hammering a poor Bulgarian side, but they should be allowed to walk off the pitch and take the victory if there is any more vile abuse.

 

[MUSC4EVER]

I think if they have to stop for a third time then they can abandon the match.

Edit, players have agreed to return to the pitch for the second half.