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Euro qualifying, one step further
Another set of games today, another handful of minnow-thrashings and semi-impressive, semi-surprising wins. But it's early in the qualifying yet! This stage doesn't finish up till mid-October 2011, and I'm hoping that I'll be able to allow myself to sneak a couple games on ESPN3 at work on upcoming match days.
Today's predictable routs included: Germany 6-1 Azerbaijan; Italy 5-0 Faroe Islands; and Sweden 6-0 San Marino. I wonder what it feels like for the smallest sides to go out on the pitch in these games. Is it painful to walk out there with the absolute knowledge that you're about to get your asses kicked? Is it worth it just to play against great teams? Do you come to a point of acceptance and just enjoy playing the game? My own psyche isn't built for that sort of thing, but I'm sure plenty of people are more well-adjusted than I am.
The somewhat unexpected section: Norway 1-0 Portugal; Montenegro 1-0 Bulgaria; and Lithuania 1-0 Czech Republic. There was also the ridiculously-last-second 2-1 win by Scotland over Liechtenstein, which needed a 90+7 goal from Stephen McManus to come about. Not exactly morale-boosting for the Scots, I'd imagine, although you know what they say about three points...
Let’s also not forget that the win for Scotland, while being worth three points, was also a loss in terms of goal differential. If they end up in a tie for second on points with the Czechs, they’ll remember this match.
If they end up in a tie for second on points with the Czechs, they’ll remember this match.
If Scotland end up level on points with the Czechs, there will be a bunch of very happy Scotsmen!
Comment #4: James on 09/08 at 03:41 PM
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I went to graduate school at the University of St. Andrews in Scotland—I got to play once for the university’s team during a term break.
The next year, I almost had another chance—this time, the opponent was Dundee United, they were preparing for their European Cup semifinal against AS Roma, and they wanted to practice against a live opponent. For us, it would have been an opportunity to play against the best, a chance to measure yourself against the Scottish champions and European semifinalists (who had a 2-0 lead in the semifinal.)
Alas, I didn’t get a chance to play, but it would have been exciting to try.
The score was Dundee United 14 St. Andrews 0 at halftime, and we swapped goalkeepers at the half. The final was 17-0.
Alas, AS Roma beat Dundee United 3-0 to win the semifinal 3-2 on total goals. Liverpool won the European Cup on penalties.