On September 08 2021 05:53 gTank wrote: It frustrates me to no end that the austrian team played well in the euros and sucks major league a$$ right now.
Really? I am happy: I was getting worried that we might actually show some good football in the qualifiers and just fail towards the end. Failing right from the start is much better!
Failing right from the start is so about Ukraine, having 5 draws in 5 matches is something weird, especially when you are having the same results playing vs France and vs Kazakhstan -.-
That group is super interesting behind France. So many draws that realistically anyone can still get the second place and it'll likely come down to the very last games of the group. Kazakhstan's results especially are baffling as you said, but that just makes it all the more tense.
Yeah, it's tense. There's a bit of bitterness in Finland on how VAR missed out a pretty clear cut penalty on the closing minutes of the France match. While it's unlikely they could've got it further than the 2-1 loss, the goal difference is a pretty big thing when there are so many draws happening.
On September 08 2021 05:53 gTank wrote: It frustrates me to no end that the austrian team played well in the euros and sucks major league a$$ right now.
Really? I am happy: I was getting worried that we might actually show some good football in the qualifiers and just fail towards the end. Failing right from the start is much better!
Assuming you do fail, yeah it’s way more painful as the anticipation builds only to be snatched away.
That said the Scottish, land of my forefathers will almost certainly somehow end up fucking up from a decent start.
There are some interesting groups, and a lot of predictable ones. The playoffs look intense, though.
Group A: Portugal in the lead ahead of Serbia. nobody else has a chance. Most likely, group final on the last day where Serbia will have to win away vs Portugal to win. Big likelihood of Portugal #1 Serbia #2 being the end result. I'm a bit baffled by Ireland only having two points (they lost against Luxembourg and drew against Azerbaijan), aside from that, pretty much every result has been as expected.
Group B: Very exciting! Sweden has won every game so far, Spain drew against Greece and lost the first match against Sweden. Consequently, it is possible for Spain to win every remaining game and still end up in second place. Greece is super weird - they've played against Spain, Kosovo and Georgia, and they have three draws. Anyway, Spain and Sweden will end up #1 and #2, with Sweden having an advantage right now. (That will change if they fail to win vs Greece today.)
Group C: Italy will win. Looks good for Switzerland to get second place. I guess in theory Switzerland can end up winning it all (they have 4 points less with 2 fewer games played, but Italy has Switzerland at home to go.) Group very much going as expected, Italy drawing vs Bulgaria the biggest surprise, but I mean, stuff like that happens all the time.
Group D: France is gonna win, second place is incredibly tense indeed. Ukraine is much like Greece - somewhat of an enigma, after playing Kazakhstan, Bosnia-Hercegovina, Finland, France twice - they have 5 draws. Like wtf? Finland and Ukraine and Bosnia are all contenders for second place if another couple games go their way.
Group E: Belgium are practically through, and they've been demolishing. Czech Republic and Wales fighting for second place. Belarus and Estonia without a chance.
Group F: Holy hell how good are Denmark? 6-0-0, 22-0 goal difference. Fair enough, it's a fairly weak group with Scotland, Israel and Austria in spots #2-4, but Germany, France, Spain, Italy, all those teams have lost points against similar or worse opponents, and winning 6 games in a row without conceding a goal is impressive either way. Fight for second place is tense, Scotland in the driver's seat, while Austria is in trouble. Israel has played twice against Denmark, and consequently, might have a big of an advantageous position. Austria most likely make it if they win all four remaining games, and are most likely out if they don't. However, Austria doesn't actually care all that much - they're going to qualify for the playoffs through nations league anyway.
Group G: Very exciting!! Group started with Turkey beating Netherlands and then Norway, making them look really strong. Then Turkey followed up drawing against Latvia and Montenegro, before they beat Gibraltar, and then lost 1-6 away against Netherlands. Now, Netherlands and Norway are both at 13 points, Netherlands has superior goal difference and easier remaining games. (Norway has away vs Netherlands and Turkey left), Turkey is at 11 points. Both Netherlands and Norway have hit their stride - the previous three games of Norway were the best trio of games I can recall us playing for like.. the past 20+ years, while Netherlands followed up their draw against Norway with beating Montenegro and Turkey a combined 10-1. Most likely outcome is Netherlands #1 Norway #2. Netherlands #1 Turkey #2 is an option, as is Norway #1 and Netherlands #2. It's quite likely that the final playday decides it all - Netherlands- Norway is the final match of the group, and Norway being either 2 points behind or even points but worse goal difference, meaning that Norway gets #1 through winning and otherwise Netherlands #1.
We're going to be better in 2-4-6 and 8 years, as our best players are all in their early 20s still, but this Norway has a lot of potential. Player by player, we can be even better than Denmark is now, if the development continues.
Group H: Croatia and Russia fighting for #1 and #2. Slovakia and Slovenia behind them, but I don't see either catching up. Croatia vs Russia in Croatia as the final playday.
Group I: England dominance, almost Denmark levels of impressive. 5-0-0, 17-1 goal difference. Poland, Albania and Hungary fighting for #2, Poland with the advantage so far.
Group J: Germany in first place, as expected. Armenia 1 point behind them in second place, ahead of Romania, North-Macedonia (who beat Germany) and Iceland, is somewhat bigger of a surprise. Still, Romania have one game less played and overall I give them a slightly better chance. The Icelandic miracle seems to have ended, with them being in fifth place, a home draw against North-Macedonia and beating Liechtenstein giving them their only points.
Looking at current #1 and #2 teams, we'd get Portugal, Sweden, Italy, France, Belgium, Denmark, Netherlands, Croatia, England and Germany as direct qualifiers (Sweden being ahead of Spain is the only thing remotely surprising here), and Serbia, Spain, Switzerland, Ukraine (Finland has 1 fewer game played and equal points, but Finland's extra game is against France, so it probably only contributes to a negative goal difference), Czech Republic (or Wales, but it doesn't matter), Scotland, Norway, Russia, Poland, Armenia (probably Romania) as the playoff teams.
Now, Wales and Czech Republic don't care about who gets #2 and who gets #3, because both teams won their nation league groups, and they're both so far ahead in line that they're in the playoff through that route anyway. Austria also doesn't care about getting #2 in their group, for the same reason. Amusingly, however, Hungary really wants Austria to get #2 in their group, because then, Hungary would be next in line for a nation league playoff qualifier spot.
This gives us a probable playoff of something like: Serbia, Spain, Switzerland, Ukraine, Czech Republic, Wales, Scotland, Austria, Norway, Russia, Poland, Romania, and these 12 fighting for 3 spots!!
On September 09 2021 01:38 Liquid`Drone wrote: There are some interesting groups, and a lot of predictable ones. The playoffs look intense, though.
Group A: Portugal in the lead ahead of Serbia. nobody else has a chance. Most likely, group final on the last day where Serbia will have to win away vs Portugal to win. Big likelihood of Portugal #1 Serbia #2 being the end result. I'm a bit baffled by Ireland only having two points (they lost against Luxembourg and drew against Azerbaijan), aside from that, pretty much every result has been as expected.
Group B: Very exciting! Sweden has won every game so far, Spain drew against Greece and lost the first match against Sweden. Consequently, it is possible for Spain to win every remaining game and still end up in second place. Greece is super weird - they've played against Spain, Kosovo and Georgia, and they have three draws. Anyway, Spain and Sweden will end up #1 and #2, with Sweden having an advantage right now. (That will change if they fail to win vs Greece today.)
Group C: Italy will win. Looks good for Switzerland to get second place. I guess in theory Switzerland can end up winning it all (they have 4 points less with 2 fewer games played, but Italy has Switzerland at home to go.) Group very much going as expected, Italy drawing vs Bulgaria the biggest surprise, but I mean, stuff like that happens all the time.
Group D: France is gonna win, second place is incredibly tense indeed. Ukraine is much like Greece - somewhat of an enigma, after playing Kazakhstan, Bosnia-Hercegovina, Finland, France twice - they have 5 draws. Like wtf? Finland and Ukraine and Bosnia are all contenders for second place if another couple games go their way.
Group E: Belgium are practically through, and they've been demolishing. Czech Republic and Wales fighting for second place. Belarus and Estonia without a chance.
Group F: Holy hell how good are Denmark? 6-0-0, 22-0 goal difference. Fair enough, it's a fairly weak group with Scotland, Israel and Austria in spots #2-4, but Germany, France, Spain, Italy, all those teams have lost points against similar or worse opponents, and winning 6 games in a row without conceding a goal is impressive either way. Fight for second place is tense, Scotland in the driver's seat, while Austria is in trouble. Israel has played twice against Denmark, and consequently, might have a big of an advantageous position. Austria most likely make it if they win all four remaining games, and are most likely out if they don't. However, Austria doesn't actually care all that much - they're going to qualify for the playoffs through nations league anyway.
Group G: Very exciting!! Group started with Turkey beating Netherlands and then Norway, making them look really strong. Then Turkey followed up drawing against Latvia and Montenegro, before they beat Gibraltar, and then lost 1-6 away against Netherlands. Now, Netherlands and Norway are both at 13 points, Netherlands has superior goal difference and easier remaining games. (Norway has away vs Netherlands and Turkey left), Turkey is at 11 points. Both Netherlands and Norway have hit their stride - the previous three games of Norway were the best trio of games I can recall us playing for like.. the past 20+ years, while Netherlands followed up their draw against Norway with beating Montenegro and Turkey a combined 10-1. Most likely outcome is Netherlands #1 Norway #2. Netherlands #1 Turkey #2 is an option, as is Norway #1 and Netherlands #2. It's quite likely that the final playday decides it all - Netherlands- Norway is the final match of the group, and Norway being either 2 points behind or even points but worse goal difference, meaning that Norway gets #1 through winning and otherwise Netherlands #1.
We're going to be better in 2-4-6 and 8 years, as our best players are all in their early 20s still, but this Norway has a lot of potential. Player by player, we can be even better than Denmark is now, if the development continues.
Group H: Croatia and Russia fighting for #1 and #2. Slovakia and Slovenia behind them, but I don't see either catching up. Croatia vs Russia in Croatia as the final playday.
Group I: England dominance, almost Denmark levels of impressive. 5-0-0, 17-1 goal difference. Poland, Albania and Hungary fighting for #2, Poland with the advantage so far.
Group J: Germany in first place, as expected. Armenia 1 point behind them in second place, ahead of Romania, North-Macedonia (who beat Germany) and Iceland, is somewhat bigger of a surprise. Still, Romania have one game less played and overall I give them a slightly better chance. The Icelandic miracle seems to have ended, with them being in fifth place, a home draw against North-Macedonia and beating Liechtenstein giving them their only points.
Looking at current #1 and #2 teams, we'd get Portugal, Sweden, Italy, France, Belgium, Denmark, Netherlands, Croatia, England and Germany as direct qualifiers (Sweden being ahead of Spain is the only thing remotely surprising here), and Serbia, Spain, Switzerland, Ukraine (Finland has 1 fewer game played and equal points, but Finland's extra game is against France, so it probably only contributes to a negative goal difference), Czech Republic (or Wales, but it doesn't matter), Scotland, Norway, Russia, Poland, Armenia (probably Romania) as the playoff teams.
Now, Wales and Czech Republic don't care about who gets #2 and who gets #3, because both teams won their nation league groups, and they're both so far ahead in line that they're in the playoff through that route anyway. Austria also doesn't care about getting #2 in their group, for the same reason. Amusingly, however, Hungary really wants Austria to get #2 in their group, because then, Hungary would be next in line for a nation league playoff qualifier spot.
This gives us a probable playoff of something like: Serbia, Spain, Switzerland, Ukraine, Czech Republic, Wales, Scotland, Austria, Norway, Russia, Poland, Romania, and these 12 fighting for 3 spots!!
I still don't get those 2 play-off slots from Nations League and why it works this way. So in theory - Austria may lose every single remaining game and still will go to the play-offs?
Group D is weird indeed, but seems like Ukraine has a decent edge over Finland/Bosnia considering match calendar (2 games vs Bosnia and 1 away game vs Finland), everything is in our hands (foots?) at this point
The nation league playoff gives a spot to the highest two nation league winners that have not qualified through their ec groups. The three highest teams that are not certain to get top two are Wales, Czech Republic and Austria. Czech Republic and Wales are in the same group, and one will end up getting top two. One spot goes to the other team, the other to Austria. My understanding is Austria could've gone 0-0-10 and still made the playoff. The country that benefits from Austria getting top 2 is actually Hungary, because they would then be getting their nations league spot.
It was nice to see Havertz let the ball trickle slowly over the line so that Werner got to score a goal. Most people would have cherry picked it for themselves. Gives his teammate a bit of a confidence boost after that atrocious miss.
On September 10 2021 16:27 DropBear wrote: It was nice to see Havertz let the ball trickle slowly over the line so that Werner got to score a goal. Most people would have cherry picked it for themselves. Gives his teammate a bit of a confidence boost after that atrocious miss.
I think he was also risking offside there. Good thinking anyway, regardless of his though process.
On September 11 2021 19:21 Pandemona wrote: in the 11th hour Fifa and Brazil backdown and allow the Brazilian players in premier league to play this weekend xd
Interesting to see how many will start now. I guess you can just insert a GK to the lineup and it'll work fine, but some midfield structure could be a bit more rigid to change if you haven't prepared it during the week.
On September 11 2021 19:21 Pandemona wrote: in the 11th hour Fifa and Brazil backdown and allow the Brazilian players in premier league to play this weekend xd
Interesting to see how many will start now. I guess you can just insert a GK to the lineup and it'll work fine, but some midfield structure could be a bit more rigid to change if you haven't prepared it during the week.
well to be fair, most of them would be away during the week as well regardless of potential ban.
most of our south american internationals returned yesterday or late thursday so with games early today, there would be no time to prepare something special with them regardless.
On September 11 2021 19:21 Pandemona wrote: in the 11th hour Fifa and Brazil backdown and allow the Brazilian players in premier league to play this weekend xd
Interesting to see how many will start now. I guess you can just insert a GK to the lineup and it'll work fine, but some midfield structure could be a bit more rigid to change if you haven't prepared it during the week.
well to be fair, most of them would be away during the week as well regardless of potential ban.
most of our south american internationals returned yesterday or late thursday so with games early today, there would be no time to prepare something special with them regardless.
Yeah, I just checked the actual match calendar and most of them definitely aren't match fit for various reasons. The whole international break is such a mess.
Yeah but these guys didn't go anywhere and trained all week at the clubs. Keepers like you say 100% start but not sure about midfielders like Bacillus says, be interesting.
Random fact of the day is there are 16 different country camera crews at old trafford today!
On September 11 2021 20:22 Pandemona wrote: Yeah but these guys didn't go anywhere and trained all week at the clubs. Keepers like you say 100% start but not sure about midfielders like Bacillus says, be interesting.
Random fact of the day is there are 16 different country camera crews at old trafford today!
oh shoot my bad. thought it was a covid ban and not for not allowing the to leave for the teams.
On September 11 2021 20:22 Pandemona wrote: Yeah but these guys didn't go anywhere and trained all week at the clubs. Keepers like you say 100% start but not sure about midfielders like Bacillus says, be interesting.
Random fact of the day is there are 16 different country camera crews at old trafford today!
oh shoot my bad. thought it was a covid ban and not for not allowing the to leave for the teams.
Nvm then! Sorry.
Heh, I actually thought they were travelling with the internationa squads too. All this is quite confusing. Usually the politics stuff mostly ends with the transfer window, but not this year
EPT
