The batteries on our calculator have run out after a week of permutations and calculations, but now all the Euro 2016 qualification group stage games have been played and we know who will be joining Ireland in the playoffs, and although the seeds have not yet been determined pending an update to UEFA's co-efficient, we have a good idea as to who we can face.
The Results We Wanted:
Group A: Turkey vs Iceland: Draw or Iceland win.
Group B: Cyprus vs Bosnia: Cyrpus win, or draw + Israel to beat Belgium.
Group H: Italy vs Norway: Italy win, Croatia vs Malta: Croatia win.
The Results We Got:
Group A: Turkey 1-0 Iceland
Group B: Cyprus 2-3 Bosnia
Group H: Italy 2-1 Norway, Croatia 1-0 Malta
What Does It All Mean?
Hungary would have been through as the best 3rd place team if it were not for a late goal to give Kazakhstan a win over Latvia, meaning Latvia become the bottom side in the group, meaning Turkey qualify as the best 3rd placed team. We thought we wanted a Turkey draw or loss, but we didn't see Latvia losing. Sound Kazakhstan. Great country, #1 exporter of potassium.
Croatia winning and Italy beating Norway means that the Croats are automatically through to Euro 2016, which is a massive relief.
Hungary, Bosnia & Herzegovina, and Norway will join Ireland, Ukraine, Denmark, Slovenia, and Sweden in the playoffs.
Likely seedings: We expect Sweden, Ukraine, Hungary and Bosnia & Herzegovina to be Ireland's possible playoff opponents.
The Euro 2016 playoff draw is on Sunday morning at 10am. Fingers well and truly crossed that we have another inductee to the Gary Mackay Hall Of Fame.
