Voinjama Posted October 21, 2013 Share Posted October 21, 2013 I want France to flop because of the Ireland playoff last time and it will also be a FU to Michel Platini. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coda Posted October 21, 2013 Share Posted October 21, 2013 Don't let the world down Sweden. Ronaldo's ego will be unable to process not qualifying, I expect tears. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
privateer Posted October 21, 2013 Share Posted October 21, 2013 Don't let the world down Sweden. Ronaldo's ego will be unable to process not qualifying, I expect tears. He'll be fine. He'll just blame it on the Jews again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bose Posted October 21, 2013 Share Posted October 21, 2013 We just wanted to avoid Portugal in the draw and we did that. Croatia is going to be tough but you never know. Hope Sweden manage to knock out Portugal. They're always poor when they qualify (except Euro 2004 but that was a weird one). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Genie Posted October 21, 2013 Share Posted October 21, 2013 Home advantage I expect. Part of me would take pleasure in Ronaldo crying becuase Portugal haven't made it but then other part of me wants to see him tear it up in Brazil. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zatman Posted October 21, 2013 Share Posted October 21, 2013 We just wanted to avoid Portugal in the draw and we did that. Croatia is going to be tough but you never know. Hope Sweden manage to knock out Portugal. They're always poor when they qualify (except Euro 2004 but that was a weird one). who have been poor, Portugal? Since 2000 I think only Spain and Germany in Europe have been as consistent to get to as many semi finals as they have Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bose Posted October 21, 2013 Share Posted October 21, 2013 They have gone far but I always find them very boring. The 2010 World Cup stands out. I'd watch any of the other big teams rather than Portugal. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zatman Posted October 21, 2013 Share Posted October 21, 2013 they are well built defensively but have always lacked a striker and dont seem to have a player like Deco or Figo anymore that can pick a pass. they played well in euro 2012 and in 2008. in 2010 they had Quieroz in charge who stifled them. for me they are becoming the new Spain, a team that usually there or thereabouts without being able to complete the job Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BOF Posted October 21, 2013 Moderator Share Posted October 21, 2013 Portugal seem to have a problem with qualification sections though. For such a good / high profile side, they do flirt with playoffs and qualy failure much more than their peers. Of course it's a completely different kettle of fish in the finals themselves, but it is a strange mentality before that. I don't know whether it's an arrogance on their part or an inability to take those games seriously. Not even Italy; who are themselves notoriously slow starters; struggle to qualify for finals tourneys. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Voinjama Posted October 21, 2013 Share Posted October 21, 2013 This is the 5th time Ukraine have qualified for the playoffs. WC98, Euro 2000, WC 2002 and WC 2010. They lost every single time. Could this be 5th time lucky? Their playoff record is worse then Ireland's. Croatia on the other hand have won in the playoffs 3 times, and won them all. They will probably beat Iceland too Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zatman Posted October 21, 2013 Share Posted October 21, 2013 main news from play-offs is Pepe vs Zlatan, that will be some fight to the death Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Isa Posted October 21, 2013 Share Posted October 21, 2013 Greece-Romania Grrr.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Voinjama Posted October 21, 2013 Share Posted October 21, 2013 Desperate to see Ukraine win, 4 playoffs losses is really unlucky. Plus France have been horrendous the last 2 times the world cup was outside Europe. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Voinjama Posted October 21, 2013 Share Posted October 21, 2013 Anyone know a site that shows countries playoff records over the years? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zatman Posted October 21, 2013 Share Posted October 21, 2013 ireland lost 5 and won 2 in their history, think thats joint worse. Wikipedia would probably help you with the rest Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
packoman Posted October 21, 2013 Share Posted October 21, 2013 I don't care who goes through out of Greece & Romania. But doesn't Romania winning these games push Ireland out of a 2nd seed position for the next Euro qualifying? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Demitri_C Posted October 21, 2013 Share Posted October 21, 2013 come on greece, we were unlucky not to qualify, but lets beat these romainians! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Voinjama Posted October 21, 2013 Share Posted October 21, 2013 What this playoff has effectively done is make 2 poor teams qualify. 2 of Greece, Romania, Croatia and Iceland will be at the world cup, while some strong European teams sit at home. Demitri what are the Greece team sayin these days? I know they lost out on goal difference for the world cup, but I never watch their game, so that does not tell us much. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VillaChris Posted October 21, 2013 Share Posted October 21, 2013 Disagree with Zat, there's some good games there. Zlatan's played in loads of international tournaments without ever doing a huge amount, thnk Portugal will scrape through. France might be knocked out I reckon, that's a very tough draw against Ukraine who are good defensively. Iceland-Croatia will be a good watch but think Croats will have too much now they've sacked Stimac. Greece Romania oh dear. Greece always get ridiculously easy draws. I must admit my knowledge of Romania stopped with the Mutu-Chivu generation retiring, they got any decent players? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Isa Posted October 21, 2013 Share Posted October 21, 2013 Not many. Chiriches, Radu, Torje and Marica the only ones that spring to mind. Maxim has looked good so far this season for Stuttgart though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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