Originally posted on 7/2/10
Euro 2012 Qualifying Draw
The following is a group by group rundown of how I think it'll go and how each country will fare
GROUP A: Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Belgium, Austria, Turkey, Germany
1. Germany
2. Turkey
3. Belgium
4. Austria
5. Kazakhstan
6. Azerbaijan
Walk in the park for Germany, no really big countries as Turkey aren't what they used to be, although Belgium's defence might have got its ideas together by this point and pose some problems. Places 5 and 6 will be occupied by the -ans, although they could be potential banana skins away from home.
GROUP B: Andorra, Armenia, Macedonia, Republic of Ireland, Slovakia, Russia
1. Republic of Ireland
2. Russia
3. Slovakia
4. Macedonia
5. Armenia
6. Andorra.
Their strong showing in the World Cup qualifiers proved that the Irish can hold their own against the big teams. Russia's recent strong performances will probably tail off with Hiddink having left, but they should still hold off Slovakia. The other three countries will pose tough away trips, but shouldn't cause too many problems
GROUP C: Faroe Islands, Estonia, Slovenia, Northern Ireland, Serbia, Italy
1. Serbia
2. Italy
3. Northern Ireland
4. Slovenia
5. Estonia
6. Faroe Islands
A strong World Cup qualification should boost the Serbs before this campaign, that and I don't rate Italy all that highly. Both countries should hold off Kyle Lafferty though, so I can't see the top part of Ireland getting through. The fewer points the Faroes get, the better
GROUP D: Luxembourg, Albania, Belarus, Bosnia, Romania, France
1. Romania
2. France
3. Bosnia
4. Belarus
5. Albania
6. Luxembourg
The outcome of this group is dependant on a few things. Namely, if Adrian Mutu can stop ruining his nose long enough to play a game, and what happens with France's coaching after the World Cup. Domenech is not the man to manage the egos of the national team, so someone will have to get a boot up their arse for France to do well. Bosnia could surprise, depending on how they get on with recalling the players who quit following corruption allegations (Sasa Papac among them).
GROUP E: San Marino, Moldova, Hungary, Finland, Sweden, Netherlands
1. Netherlands
2. Sweden
3. Finland
4. Hungary
5. Moldova
6. San Marino
What is it with Holland and easy draws? It'll be ten goals both times against San Marino, who'll be happy if they score a goal. Sweden will always remain the perennial runners-up, and there's no-one else in the group who can challenge for the lead barring some big luck.
GROUP F: Malta, Georgia, Latvia, Israel, Greece, Croatia
1. Croatia
2. Greece
3. Georgia
4. Israel
5. Latvia
6. Malta
Probably the weakest overall group, but one that should throw up few surprises. Croatia and Greece will walk it.
GROUP G: Montenegro, Wales, Bulgaria, Switzerland, England
1. England
2. Bulgaria
3. Wales
4. Switzerland
5. Montenegro
Fabio couldn't have hand-picked a better group. England will walk it, Bulgaria and Wales will battle for 2nd, with Switzerland and Montengro propping up the rest.
GROUP H: Iceland, Cyprus, Norway, Denmark, Portugal
1. Norway
2. Portugal
3. Denmark
4. Iceland
5. Cyprus
CristianoRonaldoLand will not win the group, the trips to just about everywhere in Scandanavia will make them lose too many points, and they'll barely fight off Denmark for second. Cyprus will look to not get embarassed too much, maybe providing a few frights.
GROUP I: Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Scotland, Czech Republic, Spain
1. Spain
2. Scotland
3. Czech Republic
4. Lithuania
5. Liechtenstein
Well it's time to be overly optimistic again. Topping Spain is a no-no, so it'll need to be Fortress Hampden and reslient away form that gets Scotland anywhere. Lithuania could prove tricky, but the Czech Rep aren't what they used to be, so i'd hope we don't lose to them. Let's get Craig Levein a good start in his qualifying campaign by getting all the points he can from the home games, and if we can surprise Spain like the last time we played them, then magic.
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