First things first, what is going on with the logo for the tournament? Are you kidding, Ukraine and Poland are leaves providing life to the flow that is world football! It’s just weak and the flower imagery really does nothing for soccer’s image globally. Gah.
Stupid logo aside, Ireland really can’t complain about the group that they find themselves in. Starting in the third of teams things could have definitely gone worse, but I would have like to draw France, and settle some old scores.
So we’re in Group B with Russia, Slovakia, Macedonia, Armenia and Andorra.
Plainly Russia are the real concern here, they’re a great team, with some great individuals, and a great coach. We have our work cut out for ourselves with them. Looking at the rest of the group, if we’re professional and hard working, I don’t see why we can’t push for the top of the group.
We should take 12 points from the games with Armenia & Andorra.
Macedonia have famously caused us heartache in the past, but if we treat the game with the respect it deserves then we should be able to get 4 points from the two games with them.
Slovakia will be looking at this group in the same way that we are – this is a great opportunity to qualify for them. I think that ultimately the results against Slovakia will define this group, and we have enough in our team to get results.
Roll on the qualifiers.
Looking at the other groups, there’s really no standouts and horrible groups. Group C (Italy matched up against Serbia & N. Ireland) and Group G (England matched against Switzerland & Bulgaria) are the most intriguing, but in both cases you’d expect the #1 seeds to prevail.