11th October -
All Euro 2012 qualifying results are
in - and all automatic qualifiers have been decided. In
Group A
Turkey make the play-offs after a narrow victory over Azerbaijan.
Group winners Germany did the Turkish a huge favour by beating
Belgium 3-1 to finish with a 100% record.
Russia ensured qualification by
beating minnows Andorra 6-0 - but all eyes were on Dublin where
the Republic of Ireland rode their luck to beat Armenia
2-1 and advance to November's knock out double header from
Group B.
Group C's winner
was already decided with Italy comfortably winning the group.
Serbia could have gone through to the play-offs with a point in
Slovenia but slipped up to Vrsic goal in first half stoppage time.
The heart breaking result for the Serbs means Estonia make the
play-offs without kicking a ball tonight.
Group D went all
the way with the top two fighting it out in Saint-Denis, Paris for the
top spot. France needed a Sami Nasri penalty thirteen minutes
from time to equalise for the French - who pip Bosnia and Herzegovina
for automatic qualification.
Group E was all
over bar the shouting before today's round of matches but Sweden
managed to stun group winners the Netherlands to ensure they
qualify automatically as best runners up.
Two late goals for Greece in
Georgia secured top spot for the 2004 champions in
Group F.
Croatia miss out on automatic qualification despite a 2-0 win over
Latvia.
Group H provided
the surprise of the night as Denmark beat Portugal 2-1 in
Copenhagen to take top spot - and consign the Portuguese to next months
nail biting play-offs.
Group I has been
a stroll for Spain and tonight was no different as the European and
World Champions finish qualifying with eight wins out of eight. The
defeat for Scotland in Alicante - and the Czech Republic's
4-1 win in Lithuania - means it's the Czechs, and not the Tartan
army that have a chance of getting through to Poland and Ukraine.
7th October - England
qualify for Euro 2012 after tough test in Montenegro -
England threw away a two goal lead
and finished with 10 men, but still came away from Montenegro
happy after a hard fought 2-2 draw ensures they will qualify for the
2012 European Championships. Wayne Rooney will miss at least the first
game of the finals however, after seeing red when he kicked out angrily
at Miodrag Dzudovic late in the second half. Montenegro secured second
spot in Group G
with the draw after Switzerland lost 2-0 in Wales.
6th September - Italy
qualify for Poland and Ukraine -
Italy are the second nation to qualify for Euro 2012 after a
narrow 1-0 victory over Slovenia in
Group C.
Serbia are now in pole position to take second place after beating
the Faroe Islands 3-1 in Belgrade.
Spain qualify from
Group I after
hammering whipping boys Liechtenstein 6-0 in Logrono - and can
now concentrate on defending their European Championship title next
year.
The Netherlands qualify following a
2-0 win in Finland. Although unlikely, Sweden can still
top Group E but
should that happen, the Dutch would qualify as best second place side.
England are on the brink in
Group G after a
1-0 victory over neighbours Wales. The Three Lions only need a
point in Montenegro next month to ensure qualification.
The Republic of Ireland fought out a
goalless draw in Russia to keep alive their qualification hopes.
Remarkably Slovakia, who could have gone top of the group with a
win at home to Armenia, lost 4-0 and drop to fourth as
Group B goes
right to the death.
2nd September -
Germany first to qualify after
thrashing Austria - The Germans can always be relied upon to do
well in major tournaments and Euro 2012 is no exception so far. After a
faultless run in
Group A qualifying, with eight wins from eight, the runners up from
2008 take their place in Poland and Ukraine with a 6-2 mauling of
neighbours Austria in Gelsenkirchen.
Italy are on the brink in
Group C after
squeezing past the Faroe Islands 1-0 tonight. The Azurri have an
eight point lead and can only be caught by Serbia - but with
three games left to get the two points they need, the Italians will
already be booking their hotels for Poland and Ukraine.
The Netherlands maintained their 100%
record in style at home to San Marino in
Group E. The
Dutch put eleven past the hapless minnows and are now six points clear
with three games to play.
England took a huge step towards the
finals with a convincing 3-0 win in Bulgaria. Neighbours Wales
did England a huge favour by beating second placed Montenegro 2-1
in Cardiff to ensure the English comfortably top
Group G with
only two games to go.
4th June - Flat England
lucky to still be on top - It
seems that nobody wants to win
Group G as the
two leading sides both dropped points in the latest round of games.
England went 2-0 down at home to Switzerland before rescuing
a point with a Frank Lampard penalty and a sweet Ashley Young strike,
while Montenegro also dropped points at home to Bulgaria -
Ivelin Popov's second half equaliser just about keeping the Bulgarians
in the hunt for qualification.
Group B couldn't
be tighter with three teams on 13 points. The Republic of Ireland
lead on goal difference after a solid 2-0 win in Macedonia.
Russia beat Armenia 3-1 to take second place while
Slovakia struggled past tiny Andorra 1-0 to hang on to the
coat tails of the leaders. When the qualifiers and play-off entrants are
decided, it could be head to head records that determine the winners and
losers.
Greece return to the top of
Group F tonight
with a 3-1 home win over whipping boys Malta. The 2004 European
Champions have a slender one point lead over Croatia and
Israel as Group F looks like going all the way to the final game.
3rd June - Germany march
on in Group A - But it was close
in Austria as Mario Gomez scored in the final minute to give the
visitors victory in Vienna. Germany are now 7 points clear in
Group A of
second place and look a shoe in for automatic qualification for Poland
and Ukraine.
Belgium were looking for revenge
against Turkey as 2nd and 3rd in
Group A played
each other in Brussels tonight. Turkey won the corresponding fixture 3-2
in September but a goal each in the first half meant the two sides share
the spoils this time, as they battle for the runners up spot behind the
runaway leaders.
Italy look comfortable in
Group C after a
convincing 3-0 victory over Estonia. Gli Azzurri have a game in
hand and a 7 point advantage over Slovenia in second - themselves
2-0 winners in the Faroe Islands - and look like needing only a
win and a draw from their final four games to make Euro 2012.
In other notable games, Belarus and
France played out a 1-1 draw in
Group D, while
Croatia go top of
Group F after
coming from a goal behind to beat Georgia 2-1.
Sweden are still in contention in
Group E after
thrashing Moldova 4-1 in Chisinau but still have a long way to go
to catch Holland - who don't play again until September.
29th March - The
Nertherlands march on in
Group E -
The Dutch had to come from behind to
beat Hungary 5-3 in Amsterdam and are now a huge nine points
clear at the top. Sweden kept up the pressure with a narrow
victory over Moldova and now have two games in hand on the top
team in the race for qualification.
Spain kept up their 100% record in
Group I with a
3-1 win in Lithuania. The Czech Republic got back on track
after defeat at the weekend with a 2-0 home win over Liechtenstein.
There were problems for match reporters in
Israel tonight when Tal Ben Haim scored Israel's winner in a 1-0
victory over Georgia in
Group F. The
goalscorer was not the Portsmouth defender and Israel stalwart. His 21
year old namesake came off the bench to bag all three points for the
blues and whites as Group F gets tighter and tighter.
26th March - England
brush Wales aside to go top of Group G -
A 7th minute penalty from Frank Lampard and
a 14th minute tap in from Darren Bent gave the English the spoils in
Cardiff. Lacklustre Wales sit rock bottom of
Group G with
nothing to show so far from their Euro 2012 qualifying campaign.
The other game in
Group G saw
Bulgaria and Switzerland play out a disappointing 0-0 draw -
meaning a defeat for either in the next qualifiers in June will end
their Euro 2012 qualifying hopes.
Germany go a massive 8 points clear
in Group A
tonight following a typically efficient demolition of Kazakhstan
in Kaiserslautern. Miroslav Klose and Thomas Mueller bagged a brace each
to maintain the German's 100% record.
The Republic of Ireland went joint
top in Group B
tonight with a 2-1 win over visitors Macedonia in Dublin.
Talisman Robbie Keane got the winning goal, but a reply from Trickovski
on the stroke of half time meant the Irish had some nervy second half
moments to negotiate on their way to the three points.
25th March - Euro 2012
qualification resumes after the winter break -
and there were no shocks in
Group C as
Serbia beat Northern Ireland 2-1 in front of just a couple of
hundred Irish fans in Belgrade. Home fans were banned from the game
after crowd trouble in Italy last year - and the home side struggled in
the eerie atmosphere in the first half going in at the break 1-0 down.
But second half goals from Pantelic and Tosic gave the Serbs the three
points.
Italy ground out a 1-0 victory in
Slovenia to open up a six point lead at the top of
Group C. Thiago
Motta scored the decider on 73 minutes in Ljubljana.
European and World champions Spain
struggled past the Czech Republic in Granada tonight - eventually
prevailing by the odd goal in three. David Villa became Spain's highest
goalscorer with a second half brace to turn the
Group I game
around after the Czechs led at half time.
The Netherlands sit six points clear
in Group E
tonight after hammering second place Hungary 4-0 in Budapest.
England based trio Rafael van der Vaart, Dirk Kuyt and Robin van Persie
were all on the score sheet for the Dutch. Barcelona midfielder Ibrahim
Afellay chipped in with the other goal for the visitors.
Belgium go third in
Group A tonight
after a 2-0 victory in Austria, with Axel Witsel's double ending
Austria's unbeaten qualifying run in Vienna.
France made it four wins on the spin
in Euro 2012 qualifying with a comfortable 2-0 win against
Group D whipping
boys Luxembourg. The visitors netted in each half to go four
points clear of Belarus - who play their game in hand against
Albania tomorrow.
17th November - Two
matches to catch up with in Euro 2012 qualifying -
While most international teams were involved
in friendlies tonight, four nations competed in Euro 2012 qualifiers.
Finland brushed visitors San Marino aside 8-0 in
Group E with the
help of a Mikael Forssell hat-trick while Croatia went top of
Group F with a
comfortable 3-0 victory over Malta in Zagreb.
29th October - Italy
awarded 3-0 victory over Serbia following crowd trouble -
UEFA today handed Italy the three points
after the Group C qualifier with Serbia on the 12th October was
abandoned after just 7 minutes. Following the disturbances caused by
travelling fans, Serbia will also have to play at least one game behind
closed doors.
12th October - Italy v
Serbia abandoned due to crowd trouble -
After just 7 minutes of play the
Group C
qualifier in Genoa was called off tonight as flares and fireworks rained
down from the Serbian fans. The travelling fans were urged to calm down
by players before the kick off after clashes with police earlier in the
day but disorder returned - and with Italy goalkeeper Emiliano Viviano
in the firing line, referee Craig Thompson called a halt to proceedings.
UEFA must now decide whether to award the game to the Italians - and
whether to allow Serbia to continue in the competition.
Montenegro stay top of
Group G tonight,
and with a comfortable three point cushion, after a spirited 0-0 draw at
Wembley against England. The minnows limited the disjointed home
side to just a handful of half chances on their way to a share of the
spoils. It could have been even better for the Montenegrins - Milan
Jovanovic's 83rd minute shot clattered back off the bar with keeper Joe
Hart well beaten.
Group A was
where the action was tonight. Belgium and Austria shared
eight goals in Brussels with the visitors scoring deep in injury time
through late substitute Martin Harnik to grab a point. Meanwhile the
shock of the night was unfolding in Baku where Azerbaijan beat
Turkey by a single goal. Rashad Sadygov may have a few awkward
moments when he returns to his club after the international break. He
plies his trade in Turkey with Eskisehirspor and it was the Azerbaijan
skipper's goal that sunk the visitors.
9th October - France
leave it late in Paris - It has
been a dark period for the French after their World Cup debacle but
there is light at the end of the tunnel now as they go top in
Group D
after a late win against Romania. Second half substitute Loic
Remy gave the French the lead just 7 minutes from time before Yoann
Gourcuff secured the three points in injury time.
Croatia went top of
Group F today
with a 2-1 win in Israel. Tottenham's Niko Kranjcar was the
difference between the two sides as he hit a first half double to give
the visitors the points in Ramat Gan.
8th October -
They were 150-1 to
win the group at the beginning of Euro 2012 qualifying but
the world's newest international side top
Group G tonight
- a 1-0 win at home to Switzerland means it's three out of three
for Montenegro. Next up on Tuesday is a trip to Wembley to face
England where another win will really put the newbies on the
international football map.
There were more heroics from Northern
Ireland tonight as they held Italy 0-0 in
Group C. Both
sides had gilt edged chances to win the game but it will be the Irish
who will be happier tonight as they remain unbeaten after two matches.
Portugal finally won a qualifier in
Group H beating
Denmark 3-1 in Porto. Christiano Ronaldo was back to inspire the
home side with the third after former Manchester United team-mate Nani
had bagged a first half brace. They still have a way to go to climb to
the summit in Group H however, as Norway won in Cyprus to
go 5 points clear.
7th September - All the
results are in from the first round of Euro 2012 qualifying:
And it's Portugal making the
headlines tonight. A 1-0 defeat in Norway leaves the 2004
finalists languishing second from bottom in
Group H with
Denmark up next on the 8th October.
There was a dramatic end to Scotland's
match against Liechtenstein in
Group I. With
the scores locked at 1-1, and with 7 minutes of injury time played,
Stephen McManus headed in the winner to send the tartan army wild.
England maintained their 100% record
in
Group G with a
comfortable 3-1 win in Switzerland. The victory takes England to
the top of the group on six points alongside Montenegro - 1-0
winners in
Bulgaria.
France finally got in the groove in
Bosnia
with a 2-0 victory in
Group D, while
fellow World Cup flops Italy continued their steady progress with
a 5-0 hammering of the Faroe Islands in
Group C.
Highest scorers of the night were Germany
and Sweden. Each side hit 6 past Azerbaijan and San
Marino in
Group A and
Group E
respectively.
3rd September - Full
qualifying program sees shocks and redemption:
World Cup flops England went some way
to appeasing their critics with a resounding 4-0 win over Bulgaria
in
Group G.
Tottenham's Jermain Defoe blasted a hat-trick but England's defensive
injury woes continue as Michael Dawson was carried off with a knee
injury.
France's dismal year didn't get any
better tonight in Paris. New boss Laurent Blanc saw his charges stunned
by
Belarus in
Group D. Substitute Sergei Kislyak got the only goal 4 minutes from
time.
There was a goal fest in
Group H as
Portugal and Cyprus shared 8 goals in an amazing game in
Guimaraes. Portugal were behind twice in the first half - and led twice
in the second - before Andreas Avraam had the last word to give Cyprus a
share of the spoils 2 minutes from time.
2nd September 2010
- Israel kick off with comfortable win: Chelsea new boy Yossi
Benayoun scored a hat-trick as minnows Malta were brushed aside
in Ramat Gan.
11th August 2010 - First
qualifying match kicks off in Tallinn:
Estonia and the Faroe Islands
had the honour of contesting the first qualifier for Poland and Ukraine
as they went head to head in the Estonian capital. The Faroe Islands
were on the brink of victory following a goal from Newcastle United
midfielder Joan Edmundsson on 28 minutes. Estonia forward Kaimar Saag
had other ideas and broke the hearts of the tiny island nation, netting
in injury time before a dramatic last ditch winner from Raio Piiroja
that takes Estonia to the summit in Group C.
Poland and Ukraine will
host Euro 2012!
In a shock decision, the hosting of Euro
2012 has gone to Poland and Ukraine. The Eastern European neighbours
beat off a bid by World Cup holders Italy and a joint bid from Hungary
and Croatia to host the 14th European football championship.
The decision was announced in Cardiff, Wales
on April 18th 2007 at a meeting of the UEFA Executive Committee.
Head of the Ukranian FA, Hryphor Surkis
said, "It is my main aim to hold a tournament that will change both our
country and its people".
There had been concerns about a Polish bid
following a corruption scandal that rocked the national game and nearly
resulted in Poland's expulsion from Euro 2008. FIFA president Sepp
Blatter moved to allay such concerns when he said, "The Polish
[football] federation has recovered the total rights and confidence of
the FIFA family...".
Late lobbying by Poland and Ukraine appears
to have been the deciding factor in the decision and new UEFA chief
Michel Platini is thought to have been an influence in taking the
tournament to Eastern Europe. Platini said, “Today Poland/Ukraine has
been chosen by the UEFA Executive Committee to host UEFA Euro 2012 and
they are surely a worthy winner. However there are no losers today,
rather only bids that have not won this time round.”
Euro 2012 will be the first major sporting
event held in former communist Eastern Europe since the Moscow Olympics
in 1980.
Also addressed at the UEFA meeting was the
possibility of an expansion of the European Championships to 24 teams.
This will not happen in Poland and Ukraine but a timetable has been put
in place to conduct a study into possible expansion for Euro 2016
onwards.
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