Friday, 11.11.2011
Today, November 11, stadiums will host the first leg of EURO 2012 qualifying playoffs matches. Eight teams will try to guarantee “comfortable” results before the second leg (the last one) games. Let's see what players and their coaches, journalists, football experts and bookmaker think about the upcoming fights (the latter, to be honest, are the real experts though).
Bosnia and Herzegovina - Portugal
The first game is scheduled on 20:00 Central European Time, therefore the referee will blow the first half for Bosnians and “European Brazilians”. Of course, the favorite is Portugal. Just have a look on players’ staff, big names and experience. In addition, the locals are in a very awkward position because of the absence of team’s three key defenders: Boris Pandža y Saša Papac are disqualified, and one Mensur Mujdža is injured.
Safet Sušić, Bosnia and Herzegovina coach, on evaluating the "holes" in the staff, even didn’t try to hide his frustration about disqualified and injured footballers: “I still do not know how to solve our problems, but we still have time.” However, the Balkans summon up courage and don’t show despondency. So, Sušić himself promised that his players will not close for defense and will try to get the win: “How can we expect to win in Lisbon, if we cannot win even at home?”
Though bookmakers go uncertain, but also affirm Portugal as a favorite in this par. So in the largest bookmaker chain in Europe on their winning bets are taken 1 to 2.2, while a draw or home win is 1 to 3.25.
But we would not rush so with bets. Just remember that Bosnia and Herzegovina occupied the second place only because of the loss in match against France. However Portugal second place is up to vague and indistinct play during all qualifying round.
Turkey - Croatia
The referee will blow the fight between Turkey and Croatia five minutes later. Slaven Bilic, coach of the guests, said last week that his men considered the upcoming game as the unique, the first and the last. Perhaps they have a point.
If guests are not able to manage crazy atmosphere of the Turkish stadium, the local will turn them round little finger. Therefore three missed goals will be the ordinary event for Croats. But if they achieve to break Turks at their own walls, then we can assume it's done because the team will fall apart. It’s proved by European competitions and by matches of national team.
So Guus Hiddink, coach of the Turkish national team, has reasons to afraid of missed goal: “The most important thing for us is do not miss a goal. Therefore, it is necessary to minimize the risk of dangerous passes.”
Renowned coach Ottmar Hitzfeld, actual coach of Switzerland, said that for him Croatia was a favorite in this pair. Though he had no doubt that the battle will be interesting and we could expect “equal” game.
However, Turkey is a bookmakers’ favorite in the upcoming match. Having put on their winning 1 euro, you can win 2.25, putting on a tie or an away win you could possibly earn 3.20.
Czech Republic - Montenegro
At 20:15 CET the Czechs will welcome a young team of Montenegro at the home field. Firstly, bookmakers’ already have no doubt about the outcome of this match: 1 to 1.7 on a home win, thereby only game between obvious favorite and obvious outsider could receive such a rate.
Forward Marko Vucinic, the leader of the Montenegrins, said that the success in the fight against Czech would be “historic one”. While the Balkans staff take loving the chance to qualify for EURO 2012. Vucinic perhaps because emotion took over him, said that it could be the last opportunity and Montenegro would not have such one ever.
Czechs aren’t so emotional, maybe, because of vast experience. They prepare in calm and working atmosphere. Nevertheless, the serenity was broken a week ago by goalkeeper Petr Cech. He broke his nose in one of the matches of English Premier League! Evidently, goalkeeper participation in the first leg (or even in both legs) was endangered. But... fortunately medicine and modern technology make wonders. Cech’s nose was fixed by mid-week and so his protective helmet now has a friend - protective face mask (which amused goalkeeper: "When I put on my mask for the first time, I felt like Batman"). It seems that keeper will defend Chelsea FC goal already tonight!
Estonia - Ireland
20:45 (CET again) Estonia – qualifying phase discover #1 – will face Republic of Ireland, which leveled qualifying phase discover #2 – Armenian team. The logic and bookies took the side of Republic of Ireland. According to their prediction the latter will win the match and will qualify for EURO 2012 final phase indeed. But intuition suggests that the “fairy tale of Cinderella” won’t finish so easily.
Especially because Ireland has not even “holes” but “black holes” in the staff before the deceive match. A few days ago a list injured was following Liam Lawrence, Shane Long Keith Andrews Keith Fahi goalkeeper David Ford, stars John O'Shea, Shay Given, Richard Dunne. Kevin Doyle will miss the match because of disqualification. In general, those who miss the game could form rather strong and competitive Ireland team apart!
According to mass media the Irishman Leon Best will miss the first match because of preparation for father’s role! Indeed, the birth of child is such a laborious process for man, so he must be thoroughly prepared!
In general, lets’ expect football. So, Croatian coach Slaven Bilic noted: “Enough hints and conversations. Let’s talk on the football field.”
