- 29,166
- Glasgow
- GTP_Mars
I wish Scotland was tooBulgaria has been sentenced to 2 games in an empty stadium
As for Bulgaria's punishment, that's about as lenient as it gets.
I wish Scotland was tooBulgaria has been sentenced to 2 games in an empty stadium
I wish Scotland was too
No, as an act of mercy for supporters.As punishment for poor football?
No, as an act of mercy for supporters.
Bulgaria has been sentenced to 2 games in an empty stadium, with one being provisional. The FA has been fined a total of €85000.
That'll teach em.
And nobody knows how any of this is decided. The playoff situation is just beyond mental, but I'll try to cover it in a non-opaque manner...So qualifying has just finished and already nine (9) countries know what group they're going to be in.
No we do.And nobody knows how any of this is decided. The playoff situation is just beyond mental, but I'll try to cover it in a non-opaque manner...
The bit about group winners/runners up between host group assignment and drawing of lots is what seemed convoluted to meNo we do.
Because the groups are being held in different countries, each country that qualifies is allowed to play in their own country (England play in England etc). As most of the 12 host countries qualified, that sets them up in their groups. We then have the awkward thing of Ukraine and Russia not being allowed to be placed in the same group, that split them up as well. As Belgium were the only other team in that group, they therefore took the other spot.
Then there's the situation with two hosts (Denmark, Russia) qualifying to the same host pot and only one being allowed to be the home host because mumble. Meanwhile World Champion, qualifying group-winning France isn't a top-seed because mumblemumblemumble, with Ukraine - ranked eight places below - taking its spot due to mumble, and then the Nations Cup means that the playoffs are mumblemumble.No we do.
Because the groups are being held in different countries, each country that qualifies is allowed to play in their own country (England play in England etc). As most of the 12 host countries qualified, that sets them up in their groups. We then have the awkward thing of Ukraine and Russia not being allowed to be placed in the same group, that split them up as well. As Belgium were the only other team in that group, they therefore took the other spot.
Where both hosts qualified, the "home" team which hosts the match between the two teams is determined by a draw. If a host is eliminated or goes through the playoffs, the other host automatically gets the third home game.Then there's the situation with two hosts (Denmark, Russia) qualifying to the same host pot and only one being allowed to be the home host because mumble.
It comes down to the overall ranking for every team based on their points scored in the group (excluding 6th placed teams where appropriate). France's 6 wins, 1 draw and 1 loss placed it as the 7th best group winners on 19 points, while Ukraine scored 20 points in their group, putting them in the top 6 and therefore Pot 1.Meanwhile World Champion, qualifying group-winning France isn't a top-seed because mumblemumblemumble with Ukraine - ranked eight places below - taking its spot due to mumble
Just let the people who wrote the rules explain that one, I haven't got enough keys on my keyboard to explain the parameters there but it does (somehow) make sense.and then the Nations Cup means that the playoffs are mumblemumble.
TBH, If a host failed to qualify, they should have had their rights to host crossed out and it been reallocated to another country. Somewhere like Stockholm, Lisbon, Istanbul or Brussels would do. We don't need a Quarter Final between, I dunno, England and Netherlands played a million miles away from either country.It's like a Slinky crochet, and if it wasn't for Azerbaijan - hosting, but failing to qualify - I'd think it's deliberately obscure because money...
A mild overstatementIt's all pretty simple and actually logical if you bother to read why.
Like putting European club finals on in a country miles away from any teams with a reasonable chance of making it? Surely UEFA wouldn't be that stupid!?!We don't need a Quarter Final between, I dunno, England and Netherlands played a million miles away from either country.
An all Irish Final would be Massive, kinda like the 1994 WC qualifier.
This aged well.Bulgaria has been sentenced to 2 games in an empty stadium