We’re due a little karma when it comes to these draws.
We’re going to be in the lovely big Pot 4 for the Group draw of Euro 2016 on December 12th, and with just two play-offs left, which will both be played tonight, the picture of our possible group opponents for Ireland next summer is close to complete.
In 2012 we were handed a group of death with Spain, Italy and Croatia. But with an expanded tournament of 24 teams this time around, we’re likely to have slightly easier group. Slightly.
Sweden eliminated Denmark in their playoff encounter, thanks mainly to the goalscoring exploits of Zlatan Ibrahimovic. Slovenia put up a good fight against Ukraine but lost 3-1 on aggregate.
France of course as host nation are automatically allocated in Group A so we’ve excluded them for the purpose of simplicity.
Let’s look at where we are at currently and the worst and best case scenarios ahead of next month’s draw.
Where we are
Playoff success for Sweden and Uhraine means Pot 4 looks like this:
• Pot 4: Republic of Ireland, Turkey, Iceland, Wales, Albania, Northern Ireland
We’ll have to play one team from all the other pots.
• Pot 1: Spain, Germany, England, Portugal, Belgium, France
• Pot 2: Italy, Russia, Switzerland, Austria, Croatia, Ukraine
• Pot 3: Czech Republic, Sweden, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Hungary
So with that in mind, let’s have a look into our crystal ball
Worst possible draw statistically
Germany – Italy – Czech Republic – Ireland
That’s solely based on the current UEFA co-efficient of course, with many Irish fans probably thinking that having taken four points off Germany in our qualifying we could do a job on them again in France.
The Germans will be out for our blood if we meet them again, while Italy and mad Mario Balotelli are capable of anything at a major tournament.
Worst Possible draw in reality
Spain, Austria/Russia, Poland – Ireland
We were beaten up a stick by Spain in 2012 and their style hasn’t changed too much since that tournament win. Diego Costa would be a royal pain in the ass for any Irish defence, while Austria or Russia would also cause us problems. The Poles again, and Lewandowski. Jaysus.
Best draw for us statistically
Belgium – Ukraine – Hungary – Ireland
If Wales can do it, so can we. The Belgians might be riding high in the world rankings but with Eden Hazard having a stinker of a season we think they might be under-par next summer. We can hope can’t we? Portugal would also be attractive and they are much lower ranked than the Belgians in the world rankings.
Most Irish fans wanted Hungary instead of Bosnia as we saw this as much easier side. Why not prove that next summer?
FAI Dream scenario
England – Italy – Slovakia – Ireland
Ray Houghton, Stuttgart and Christy Moore, what could be more special than facing Roy Hodgson’s men at the Euros. Italy would guarantee a great atmosphere and we could wheel out Giovanni Trapattoni, while Slovakia would be seen as the ideal team for us to get a win against, and maybe, just maybe, squeeze out of the group.
