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2014 World Cup Draw Announced

 Posted by on December 8, 2013 at 2:00 pm  Global Football Today, Global Headlines, International, World Cup 2014
Dec 082013
 

At long last we have our field of 32 set!

The 2014 FIFA World Cup draw has finally been announced and we know the fate of our favorite (and least favorite) nations. The tournament won’t start until June, but that doesn’t mean we can’t take an early look at all eight groups and some of the story lines presented by each one. Let’s get started!

Group A: Brazil, Croatia, Mexico, Cameroon

Biggest Question: Who will finish 2nd?

Must See Match: Brazil-Mexico

Best Player: Neymar (Brazil)

Most Likely To Land A Big Summer Transfer: Dejan Lovren (Croatia)

Predicted Finish: 1) Brazil 2) Mexico 3) Croatia 4) Cameroon

It’s a fairly easy draw for the hosts, but there’s legitimate confusion over who could take second. Croatia probably has the most individual talent, but they didn’t look convincing in qualifying and outside of their 1998 semifinal run they haven’t had much success since gaining their independence. Mexico also looked weak in qualifying, but they’ve got Brazil’s number at the moment having defeated them twice in 2012; once in a friendly and once at the gold medal match of the 2012 Summer Olympic Games. Cameroon have qualified more than any other African nation, but they fail impress when they get to the final and star striker Samuel Eto’o is a shell of his former self.

Look for Mexico to finish second and keep an eye on Croatia center back Dejan Lovren who has impressed with England’s Southampton so far this season.

Group B: Spain, Netherlands, Chile, Australia

Biggest Question: Who fails to advance?

Must See Match: Spain-Chile

Best Player: Alexis Sanchez (Chile)

Most Likely To Land A Big Summer Transfer: Matthew Leckie (Australia)

Predicted Finish: 1) Spain 2) Netherlands 3) Chile 4) Australia

This is about as close as it gets to a true “Group Of Death”. We open with a re-match of the 2010 final while Chile, led by Barcelona star Alexis Sanchez, will challenge for second place and the Aussies will be a difficult matchup for the favorites. The Dutch breezed through qualifying and are still a bit of an unknown quantity because of it. Spain and Chile finished 2-2 in a recent friendly and should provide another thrilling match when they meet again in June.

Spain are advancing out of this group, it’s simply a question of who will join them. I like the Netherlands to beat Chile in what will prove to be the decisive match in this group and advance with the defending champions. This would give us Spain-Mexico and Brazil-Netherlands in the Round of 16 and that’s an incredibly enticing prospect!

Group C: Colombia, Greece, Ivory Coast, Japan

Biggest Question: Who is the favorite?

Must See Match: Colombia-Greece

Best Player: Falcao (Colombia)

Most Likely To Land A Big Summer Transfer: Konstantinos Mitroglou (Greece)

Predicted Finish: 1) Colombia 2) Greece 3) Japan 4) Ivory Coast

This group is completely up for grabs. All four are capable of advancing and they all have very different playing styles. Colombia are led by strikers Radamel Falcao and Jackson Martinez. Greece have a rock solid defense and one of the hottest strikers in Konstantinos Mitroglou. Ivory Coast are led by veterans like the Toure Brothers (Kolo and Yaya) and Didier Drogba. Japan have a very technical side that values possession and features creative playmakers Keisuke Honda and Shinji Kagawa.

Ultimately I think Colombia are the only team good enough to score on Greece (thanks mostly to Falcao’s ability) and the winner of that game could wind up deciding who wins and who comes in second. If you’re high on tactical variety this is your group.

Group D: Uruguay, Costa Rica, England, Italy

Biggest Question: Which Mario Balotelli Shows Up?

Must See Match: Uruguay-England

Best Player: Luis Suarez (Uruguay)

Most Likely To Land A Big Summer Transfer: Nicolas Lodeiro (Uruguay)

Predicted Finish: 1) Uruguay 2) England 3) Italy 4) Costa Rica

If you ask me, this is the best group from top to bottom. Costa Rica came in second in CONCACAF qualifying and feature a handful of players playing in Europe while the other three members of this group are very much known quantities. The key to this group is how Mario Balotelli plays. If he performs like he did at the Confederations Cup, Italy can win this group. If he loses his cool and can’t score, Italy will have a tough time advancing past England and Uruguay. All eyes in England will be fixed upon their match against Uruguay and their polarizing striker Luis Suarez. Keep an eye on Uruguay central midfielder Nicolas Lodeiro who, somehow, still hasn’t made a big money move to Europe and currently plays for Botafogo in Brazil.

The potential Round of 16 matchups would give us Luis Suarez against what is possibly the best defense in the tournament as well as England and Colombia doing battle.

Group E: France, Ecuador, Honduras, Switzerland

Biggest Question: How Good Is Switzerland?

Must See Match: France-Switzerland

Best Player: Franck Ribery (France)

Most Likely To Land A Big Summer Transfer: Granit Xhaka (Switzerland)

Predicted Finish: 1) Switzerland 2) France 3) Ecuador 4) Honduras

I’m sure I’m in the minority on this, but I think Switzerland are pretty darn good. They’ve got a great mix of veterans (Juventus’s Stephan Lichsteiner, Fulham’s Philippe Senderos) and youth (Borussia M’Gladbach’s Granit Xhaka, Bayern Munich’s Xherdan Shaqiri) and I think they’ll shock us all by winning this group; assuming they get the necessary result when they face France. France are easily the most talented team, but they’re national team fortunes have been on a steady downturn ever since the 2006 Final when they lost to Italy. I’m not sure they’ve put it together enough to win this group.

Group F: Argentina, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Iran, Nigeria

Biggest Question: Will Lionel Messi finally shine at the World Cup?

Must See Match: Iran-Nigeria

Best Player: Lionel Messi (Argentina)

Most Likely To Land A Big Summer Transfer: Uche Nwofor (Nigeria)

Predicted Finish: 1) Argentina 2) Bosnia-Herzegovina 3) Nigeria 4) Iran

Will all due respect to those involved, this is the the worst group in the tournament. Argentina and Bosnia-Herzegovina should advance comfortably. Nigeria and Iran help open this group and I’ve highlighted it only because Iran have qualified before back in 2002 and should manage to shock Nigeria and steal three points it could make this group a bit more interesting.

The real story line from this group isn’t about the group itself as much as the tournament. We’re all waiting for Lionel Messi to have his World Cup “moment” and this draw gives him a great opportunity to do so. If predictions hold, we get a tantalizing France-Argentina showdown in the Round of 16.

Group G: Germany, Portugal, Ghana, United States

Biggest Question: How Good Is Portugal?

Must See Match: Portugal-United States

Best Player: Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal)

Most Likely To Land A Big Summer Transfer: Aron Johannsson (United States)

Predicted Finish: 1) Germany 2) United States 3) Portugal 4) Ghana

Another “Group Of Death” that is stacked from top to bottom. Germany should have no issues winning this group, but who comes in second is still up for grabs. The US got the best of Portugal in 2002 and will look to do so again this time around. They need to get a win in their first game against Ghana and that’s entirely possible given they’ll want revenge after the Black Stars knocked them out of the Round of 16 in South Africa. Much like Italy, Portugal are dependent upon their one proven star: Cristiano Ronaldo.

If anything happens to him between now and June (and for some reason I have a sneaky suspicion it will) they will be left with a lot more questions than answers.

Group H: Belgium, Algeria, Russia, South Korea

Biggest Question: How far can Belgium go?

Must See Match: Russia-South Korea

Best Player: Vincent Kompany (Belgium)

Most Likely To Land A Big Summer Transfer: Faouzi Ghoulam (Algeria)

Predicted Finish: 1) Belgium 2) Russia 3) South Korea 4) Algeria

Belgium should win this group, but everyone wants to know how far they can go in the knockout rounds. The battle for second between Russia and South Korea should be a lot of fun to watch and Algeria has done a good job producing players via France. If my predictions hold we’ll get some great Round of 16 matchups between USA/Belgium and Germany/Russia.

 

Endless Possibilities For FIFA World Cup Group Draw

 Posted by on November 20, 2013 at 10:35 pm  Global Football Today, Global Headlines, International, World Cup 2014
Nov 202013
 

I love the internet. Thanks to the internet we can simulate the group draw for the 2014 FIFA World Cup because some kind soul took the time to create such a simulator.

And now that the field of 32 is set after Uruguay tied Jordan 0-0 in the second leg of their playoff, we can starting to look ahead to some potentially mouth watering groups. Let’s get to it!

Group Of Death (Host Edition)

Brazil, Japan, Ivory Coast, Netherlands

There will probably be two legitimate “Groups of Death”. Since Brazil is the host, they get one of the top seeds. Japan is the best team from Asia, Ivory Coast is the most talented team from Africa, and the Netherlands are the best team in Pot 4, which is comprised entirely of European teams who aren’t one of the Top 8 seeds. The last two were paired in a “Group of Death” in 2006 with Argentina and Serbia, but this group might just top that one. Japan is better than people give them credit for and the Ivory Coast is full of veteran stars like Didier Drogba who will likely be playing in their last World Cup and will want to go out on a high note.

Group Of Death (Non-Host Edition)

Spain, South Korea, Chile, Italy

This one doesn’t look like a traditional Group of Death on paper, but it’s stacked from top to bottom. Here we have a rematch of the 2012 Euro final as well as two of the world’s most underrated teams. South Korea is a very disciplined, cohesive unit and Chile feature some of the best players you may not have heard of; not to mention they might be the most entertaining team in this field. The last hurrah of Spain’s “golden generation” squaring off against Asia’s second best team, South America’s most thrilling, and the ever polarizing Mario Balotelli. Every match in this group is must see and all four have a legitimate chance to advance.

The Snoozer (Most Boring Group)

Switzerland, Iran, Algeria, Greece

Switzerland is the least exciting of the seeded teams in Pot 1, Iran and Algeria might be the two least talented teams in the entire field, and nobody plays with more of a bunker-mentality than the Greeks. Next!

The Track Meet (The Fastest Group)

Colombia, Mexico, Nigeria, Portugal

There’s no real way to quantify this, so I’m just going to view it as the most “athletic” group. These teams have some of the fastest players and have the potential to score the most goals in one group. Colombia features the likes of Falcao and Jackson Martinez. Mexico, despite their qualifying troubles, are a very technical side with some great wingers like Andres Guardado and Javier Aquino. Nigeria trots out Liverpool winger Victor Moses and MLS prospect Bright Dike. Portugal gives us the great Cristiano Ronaldo plus Manchester United winger Nani. Usain Bolt would be proud of this group.

Group Of Stars (USA Edition)

Argentina, USA, France, Portugal

Yes, there is a possibility we could see Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo in the same group. Throw in the other Ballon d’Or candidate (Franck Ribery) and you have plenty of star power to satisfy casual American fans. Of course, advancing out of such a group would be a daunting task for the Yanks. This group also has some lesser known stars like Manchester City striker Sergio Aguero and Juventus wonderkid Paul Pogba. This one’s also a Group of Death candidate and it’s all thanks to the individual brilliance that would be on display.

Study Your Colonial History (Most Political Rivalries)

Germany, Australia, Ghana, England

The rivalry between Germany and England obviously stems from World War II. Australia was a British colony until the early 20th century as was Ghana, although they didn’t manage to secure their independence until after World War II ended. Colonialism and political animosity abound in this group for history nerds.

The Dark Horses (Least Talked About Good Teams Group)

Uruguay, Costa Rica, Cameroon, Bosnia-Herzegovina

Uruguay may have “snuck in” via a playoff after finishing fifth in South America, but they still have a very talented roster that is capable of repeating their 2010 run to the semifinals. Luis Suarez might be the hottest striker on the planet, Edinson Cavani is a proven threat, and the midfield is anchored by 24 year old Nicolas Lodeiro, who (shockingly) plays his club ball in Brazil. Costa Rica finished second behind the US in CONCACAF and finished with a goal differential of +6; just one off from USA’s +7. Cameroon has made more World Cups than any other African nation and Bosnia-Herzegovina features the likes of Manchester City striker Edin Dzeko, Roma’s Miralem Pjanic, and Stuttgart’s Vedad Ibisevic. 

World War II Group

Germany, USA, Algeria, Russia

In a different take on the Colonial History group, we have the three biggest forces from World War II as well as the only North African squad.

The Pope’s Favorite Group

Spain, Mexico, Ecuador, Italy

The current pope is from Argentina, but Spain gets the nod from Pot 1 as the more traditional Catholic power. You won’t find more fans of the Holy Father and one of the oldest denominations of Christianity outside of this group.

 

Spain: Reigning Over the World

 Posted by on June 14, 2013 at 11:32 am  Breaking News, GFT Special, Global Football Today, International, Spain
Jun 142013
 
200px-Spain_National_Football_Team_badge

It has been well documented how good this Spain team is. Lets look at what they have accomplished.

At the youth level the U-21 side won the 2011 European title and quite a few members of that side are now on the Spain squad.

The last two European Championships have been won by the senior side, added by a World Cup title in-between.

This is the best international side ever based entirely by their successes and deserving the praise.

That said this current squad looks to be the pinnacle of its dominance as this and the World Cup look to be the last major tournament for many members of this squad as major members of previous winners are most likely coming to the end of their contribution for the national team.

That doesn’t mean that this side could be called weaker than the team that won last summer’s Euro’s.

At every position is a player who is a fixture on their club’s 11 in major leagues.

But it must be said that there are questions at the back with the captain Iker Casillas who was removed from the Real Madrid goal by his manager in a fight that resulted in the manager leaving and Casillas staying, a sign that player power is at its strongest.

Also Xavi Alonzo is not present, due to injury. Sure it presents an opportunity to find the suitable replacement who will take over for the long term so for Spain it could be all for the good.

Triumph is all that should be expected by Spanish fans who will look to win the only international competition they have yet to win during this golden age for Spain.

Scots suffer EURO pain in Spain after extra time drama

 Posted by on October 24, 2012 at 11:21 pm  Europe, Global Headlines, International, Women's Soccer, Womens 2013 Euro Championships
Oct 242012
 

Gemma+Fay Scots suffer EURO pain in Spain after extra time drama

If Carlsberg made tragic football stories, this would probably be the best tragic football story in the world, EVER!

Only a Scotland team can return triumphant to the motherland after such a glorious defeat and usually it’s the mens national side that manages to claim that trophy but tonight it was the turn of the women to bag that title as the pain of Spain brought the magnificent players to their knees.

All too often in the past we have suffered the  indignation of clutching a defeat from the jaws of death and tonight was no different for the heroic women of the Scottish National side as they were sucker punched at the death of this match to end their hopes of EURO championship football at the same stage for the second consecutive finals.

After Saturdays magnificent performance and historic day at Hampden, no-one could have imagined the drama that would unfold in the Pabellon de la Ciudad del Futbol 1 in Madrid but if it was drama you were after, you were not disappointed.

Long Story Short

Scotland took the lead through Emma Mitchell on 62 minutes but like Saturday were quickly pegged back the a tremendous Spanish squad with Adriana once again plying the plain on 74 minutes.

Extra Time

Kim Little put Scotland into the lead 8 minutes into extra time which meant the home side needed to score twice to progress but yet again the Spanish fought back grabbing a goal on 113 minutes through Mesegeur but with the scoreline as it stood, Scotland would still go through thanks to away goals.

The drama seemed to roll on and roll on as for the second time in two games, Gemma Fay was called upon to save a penalty and save it she did with four minutes remaining of the extra 30 minutes after Hayley Lauder was adjudged to have handled in the box.

1881518 w2 Scots suffer EURO pain in Spain after extra time drama

Sucker Punch

The real sucker punch though was  to happen with the last kick of the ball when Spains star player Vero, who was missing on Saturday, got the luck of a deflection on her strike from the edge of the box and everyone in attendance watched as the ball ball spun into the back of the goal just moments before the referee blew her final whistle.

It was devastating for the Scots – a real heart wrenching moment for the players and you couldn’t help but feel absolutely gutted for the players who had put everything on the line to reach the finals next year in Sweden.

However gutted the Scottish players and coaching staff feel tonight, the full story of what they have achieved this week will slowly sink in.

On Saturday the women’s team reached a goal of playing at Hampden for the very first time. They also played in front of the largest crowd ever to watch a Scotland womens international match. Place on top of that the whopping 4400 people who accessed the live stream from Spain in tonights match and you suddenly have a whole new belief of what you have achieved for womens football in Scotland.

Anna Signeul and her players can be rightfully proud of what they have managed and the disappointment of losing out on the EURO Championships in Sweden will quickly fade when they recognise the dizzy heights they have reached and the new throngs of fans that are now hooked on Scottish womens fitba!

Marc Roseblade is a Contributor for Examiner.com, Football Speak, Global Football Today, 90 Soccer, Yardbarker, OurGameMagazine and various online & published sports outlets across the globe. All quotes are obtained first-hand unless otherwise stated. You can follow Marc on Twitter @myscottishfitba

Record breaking crowd watch Scotland & Spain tie Euro playoff

 Posted by on October 21, 2012 at 12:41 am  Europe, International, Women's Soccer, Womens 2013 Euro Championships
Oct 212012
 
101_0698

Scotland & Spain Share Spoils of Euro Playoff Opening Tie

101 0698 1024x352 Record breaking crowd watch Scotland & Spain tie Euro playoff

Scotland and Spain battled out a tremendous match on Saturday afternoon at Hampden Park, Glasgow as the two fight for a spot in next years European championships in Sweden.

The Scottish ladies were taking to the Hampden turf for the first ever time in this tough playoff tie and in front of a Scottish record breaking 4058 supporters, they performed admirably in grabbing a draw against the European ranked 10th spot Spanish side.

A penalty goal from Kim Little gave the Scots the lead within the first 25 minutes but the home side were pegged back after an impressive Adriana Martin equalized just minutes later to take a draw into Wednesdays second leg in Spain.

Spain started the brighter of the two sides with Scotland’s players looking nervous in front of a Scottish record breaking crowd for a ladies match and for the first 15 minutes it was all one way traffic as the visitors continued to push the Scottish back line looking for the opening.

Chelsea’s Adriana Martin, FC Barcelona’s Sonia Bermudez and Athletic Club’s Erika Vazquez all looked dangerous when running at the Scottish rearguard with Sonia in particular causing Rachel Small at right back all sorts of problems with her tricky play.

Sonia was the instigator of many dangerous crosses into the box but fortunately for Scotland in the early stages, they managed to steer the ball clear whenever called upon.

But Scotland fought their way back into the match, cheered on by the large watching support, with Kim Little trying to support her Arsenal team mate Jennifer Beattie up front with bursting runs and weighted through balls. Both these girls hard work was also opening gaps in the Spanish defence which allowed Jane Ross to manage Scotland’s first shot on goal from 18 yards which was well held by Ainhoa Tirapu between the sticks for the visiting team.

This forward momentum was to prove a timely boost for the Scottish girls as some good work from Potsdam Turbines Lisa Evans won a corner on the left that eventually led to Scotland’s opening goal.

From Megan Sneddon’s perfectly flighted cross, Beattie rose to head an effort against the post and in haste to clear the ball from her own danger area, Vazquez handled in the six yard box and the official had no option but to award a penalty kick.

101B0722 1024x403 Record breaking crowd watch Scotland & Spain tie Euro playoff

Up stepped Kim Little to slot the ball home to a rapturous roar of approval from the 4000+ fans that had turned out to support the girls on this European Championship journey.

The Scots had a chance to double their lead moments later when Beattie played in Little who in turn laid off to Sneddon but the Celtic player watched as her shot sailed wide of the upright.

The play was switching from end to end and it was Spain that were to grab a goal back on 27 minutes when a Sonia shot somehow ricocheted from Gemma Fay’s hands in goal to bounce of the torso of Adriana and roll into the open net.

It was a real body blow for the home team players to lose such a soft goal but if that would deflate the players, Gemma Fay’s superb performance in goal for the remainder of the game would surely re-inflate them!

Sonia from six yards – saved by Fay. Adriana from point blank range – saved by Fay and to top of a tremendous spirit lifting first half performance, the keeper was to make an absolutely superb Peter-the-cat style double save from the penalty spot.

The penalty was awarded after the ball was adjudged to have struck Small’s hand and up stepped Adriana looking to double her sides lead but she was up against an inspired Fay who made the full size goals look like 5-a-side nets today such was her mastery of the area between the sticks. Not only did Fay save the initial penalty with style, she blocked Adriana’s rebound with finesse and courage from close to six yards out.

101B0733 1024x411 Record breaking crowd watch Scotland & Spain tie Euro playoff

It was a great morale booster for the home side as they left the field for the half time break but were also fully aware of the constant threat posed by visiting Spaniards.

The sunshine put in an appearance for the second half but the play on the field for the opening 15 minutes didn’t match the brightness of the Scottish winter sun as neither side took control of the ball and both looked subdued in the early second period exchanges.

Jennifer Hermoso tried to pick up the pace a little for Spain with a glancing header toward goal but she watched as her attempt was ushered wide by Fay in goal.

Scotland were changing things tactically a little as the game wore on. Emma Mitchell was brought on to replace Jane Ross on the right and with the Glasgow City player willingness to move inside and run at the defence, it allowed Kim Little to push further forward alongside Beattie in an attempt to swamp the Spain girls rearguard.

Mitchell was an immediate threat with her terrier style of play, earning free kick and making penetrating runs into the box. Spain were also still causing problems when in possession with Sonia the main threat whenever moving forward but Small in Scotland defence was standing firm.

Emma Mitchell was unlucky near the 70 minute mark when her strike was well held by Tirapau in goal but the Scots were dominating at this point and it seemed that only time would stop them from scoring another.

The tactical change for Scotland was seeing Evans and Mitchell on both flanks running into more opportune areas in the box, feeding Little and Beattie with an ever increasing pace but they were being held at bay by a very good and efficient Spanish team.

101 0706 1024x707 Record breaking crowd watch Scotland & Spain tie Euro playoffAt the other end Gemma Fay had to come to the rescue once again when a great lofted ball from Sonia to the back post was met by Vazquez but Fay was equal to the challenge. Moments later Sonia once again sent in a perfectly weighted cross , this time it was Adriana that glanced her header toward goal only to see it graze the top of the bar and go over.

The impressive Erika Vazquez made way for Debora Garcia on 75 minutes and further substitutions saw Adriana Martin leave the field for Spain, Lisa Evans for Scotland being replaced by Ana Maria Romero and Suzanne Grant respectively.

With minutes remaining on the clock Scotland had the best shout of the game for a penalty, even more so than both the others that had proceeded it but the referee deemed it not to have played Garcia on the hand and waved play on to a huge chorus of boos from the watching home supporters.

After three minutes of added time had been completed, the official shrilled her whistle and brought this enthralling match to an end with a score line of one gaol apiece.

Afterwards the Spanish coach said: “We dominated the game and deserved to win. Scotland stole the ball from us on occasion but played very well when in possession. We look forward to Wednesdays game.”

Anna Signeul, the Scotland manager saw the game differently and was clearly disappointed in the end result saying: “How did the referee miss that final penalty. It was more of a penalty than the others that were given and I am led to believe that it wasn’t even her that saw the first two, it was the assistants that pointed them out.”

Speaking very methodically she carried on :”We chose a tactic that we would be able to play as a solid unit against a very good side. We were disappointed to lose the goal and perhaps we could have attacked a little more and despite a nervous start we didn’t change our style. Spain played exactly as we expected and we won’t change that for the match on Wednesday.”

“We have to thank the fans for coming out today. It was a Scottish record for a women’s game in the country and shows the growing stock of the game here.”

Second leg takes place a tPabellón de la Ciudad del Fútbol, Madrid with a 6pm kick off.

Marc Roseblade is a Contributor for Examiner.com, Football Speak, Global Football Today, 90 Soccer, Yardbarker, OurGameMagazine and various online & published sports outlets across the globe. All quotes are obtained first-hand unless otherwise stated. You can follow Marc on Twitter @myscottishfitba

International Round-Up

 Posted by on October 12, 2011 at 12:57 am  Uncategorized
Oct 122011
 

It was great day for international football as today was the last of the group matches to qualify for Euro 2012 in Ukraine and Poland. Below is a briefing on how some of the boys from Chelsea did.

Frances players celebrate 005 International Round Up

Florent Malouda is the latest Chelsea player to book his place in next summer’s European Championships. He was a part of the French side that earned a 1-1 draw at home to Bosnia & Herzegovina today. The winger played the first hour in Paris as his side trailed, only for Samir Nasri to score a late penalty to send France through. Bosnia and Herzegovina will now go to the play-offs.

Petr Cech and the Czech Republic came out 4-1 winners in Lithuania today, the goalkeeper will now go into next month’s play-offs in second place behind Spain, who defeated Scotland 3-1 in Alicante. Fernando Torres and Juan Mata were unused subs for this match.

Raul Meireles and Portugal will also be in the play-offs as they were defeated 2-1 by Denmark.

Branislav Ivanovic’s Serbia were beaten 1-0 in Slovenia, Ivanovic played the entire match at centre-back. Unfortunately, the defeat eliminates Serbia from qualification so next year it will be a summer break for the defender.

Romelu Lukaku will also have the summer off as Belgium were eliminated after their 3-1 defeat from table leaders Germany. Turkey secured the play-off spot in that group.

John Mikel Obi played the final 20 minutes of Nigeria’s 0-0 friendly draw against Ghana at Vicarage Road. Nigeria were eliminated from the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations so there will be no international football for Mikel in the month of January and early February.

Conor Clifford played the first 66 minutes in Ireland’s Under 21 match where they came out 4-1 winners in Liechtenstein, and Milan Lalkovic player the full ninety as Slovakia were 6-0 winners away at Latvia.

The playoff draw for a spot at Euro 2012 will be made in the Ukrainian capital of Kiev on Thursday, with the two-legged ties set to be played on November 11/12 and 15.