Looking at Thursday’s play-off draw results, one will only understand better why genuine contenders were racing for an automatic berth during the group stage phase.
Pot 1 had the likes of Croatia (coefficient 32.723), Portugal (31.202), the Republic of Ireland (28.203) and the Czech Republic (27.982) as seeded teams. Pot 2 had Turkey (27.601), Bosnia and Herzegovina (27.199), Montenegro (21.876) and Estonia (20.355) the unseeded teams. On Thursday afternoon, the draw which took place in Krakow produced exciting matchups.
Turkey vs Croatia will represent a repeat of the dramatic Euro 2008 quarter-final where the Turks produced a stunning comeback to beat their opponents through a penalty shoot-out. The Croatians will be out to redeem themselves this time.
In another case of revenge, Bosnia and Herzegovina will be up against Portugal. Both teams clashed against each other in the 2010 FIFA World Cup play-offs.
The then-inexperienced Bosnians suffered defeat and eventually missed the finals in South Africa. But it seems like the team is better prepared now. Could Portugal be victims of the biggest shock of the Euro 2012 qualifiers by failing to reach Poland and Ukraine?
In another draw, Montenegro got paired against the Czech Republic. This two-legged tie could create a tight affair between the two sides. The Estonia vs Republic of Ireland, however, may attract less spectators worldwide. The Irish are poised to recover from their last major tournament disappointment (the 2010 World Cup qualifiers) by edging past the Estonians.
Predictions: Croatia, Portugal, Montenegro and the Republic of Ireland will reach Euro 2012.
Turkey vs Croatia will represent a repeat of the dramatic Euro 2008 quarter-final where the Turks produced a stunning comeback to beat their opponents through a penalty shoot-out. The Croatians will be out to redeem themselves this time.
In another case of revenge, Bosnia and Herzegovina will be up against Portugal. Both teams clashed against each other in the 2010 FIFA World Cup play-offs.
The then-inexperienced Bosnians suffered defeat and eventually missed the finals in South Africa. But it seems like the team is better prepared now. Could Portugal be victims of the biggest shock of the Euro 2012 qualifiers by failing to reach Poland and Ukraine?
In another draw, Montenegro got paired against the Czech Republic. This two-legged tie could create a tight affair between the two sides. The Estonia vs Republic of Ireland, however, may attract less spectators worldwide. The Irish are poised to recover from their last major tournament disappointment (the 2010 World Cup qualifiers) by edging past the Estonians.
Predictions: Croatia, Portugal, Montenegro and the Republic of Ireland will reach Euro 2012.
