Ellada2004

What a relief!

We remained unchanged? Scotland and Austria had huge jumps even the Chzek Republic who beat Kasakstan jumped significantly. Don’t get it.

You guys think he Manolas will be back for playoffs? What's goingon with Karelis?

Crap! We need him to recover quick. Guys need to be extra cautious in there club fixtures.Can't have anymore injuries wayyy too much on the line.

2 key moments of the campaign was Tzavellas fantastic volley goal to steal a point from Bosnia. Also getting a draw in hostile Belgium were they Belgians beat everyone convincingly in recent years as they did to Bosnia 4- 0. I remember before that game speaking to Greeks and non Greeks and lots of them were saying Belgium would beat us by a few goals no problem. I always thought we could pull out a draw if the team defended, stayed focused and frustrated the talented Belgians which they did and were a few minutes away from a famous victory. If the team play like they did in that match or as they did in Athens we should be able to get by any of the 4 of the seeded countries. Go ELLAS!

I don’t think it’s on here in Canada. I will stream it.

^That’s my preferred order as well. I watched the Swiss vs Portugal and they looked pretty disjointed and sloppy, they did not threaten Portugal much even though a tie would have put them through. Even though Greece own Portugal of late, I think had Portugal been in the playoff they would have been the hardest out.

I believe 8 EST, can't wait, will be exciting.

Denmark have been playing well recently even smashing Poland 4 -0. They turned there campaign around after early poor results. I would much rather face there midfield than Croatias with the likes of Modri, Rakitic,Persic. That said I think Greece could beat Croatia we have in the past and they play a similar style like the Bosnians. The Swiss are a well disciplined side have Shaqiri, Zhaka, Lichstiner. They had 9 wins but failed to qualify directly as they lost out to a strong Portuguese side. Italy are no where near there best ATM but as I have posted before they always qualify and I would be nervous if drawn against them. Denmark are our best route to qualification.

Looks like starting at home has worked out the best for us.

Hopefully we move up to 40th, then if we get through to the World Cup will get a big jump.

That’s great for us, will take it!

Denmark’s whole attack flows through Eriksen just neutralize him and who can do any damage? Maybe Bendtner, but he in not the player he once was. Defensively they have no big name players. Drawing Denmark will give us the best chance to punch our ticket to the World Cup.

I saw them talking about playoffs on Espn Fc and they were saying nobody want to draw Greece as we will stifle the seeded teams with our “boring” defensive approach. Hisslop gives us the best chance to progress from the non seeded teams.

I was thinking that too, they will put Italy vs Ireland or North Ireland and that will get them through and I don’t see Italy or Croatia getting Sweden either.

Anyone have any idea where we will be ranked after the next edition of the FIFA rankings? Greece should leap over some of the teams in front of us like Romania, Congo, Ecuador, Paraguay, Bulgaria, Montengro, Bosnia given there results.

So this is a separate tournament from traditional European qualifiers?

Thats right FIFA don't want a 4x World Cup winner Italy out of the fold. They would help them find a way in that's why we want to avoid them. I can see Italy drawing Ireland as they seem to get drawn with one an other often.

USA just had to beat Trinada and even a draw might have got them through. Bruce Arena was speaking to the media after saying the "hot shots" in Europe would find CONCACAF tough? Ya it's really hard going up against cruddy Canada, Guatemala, even mighty Guadeloupe lol. Only Mexico are decent side and they would have it tough in Europe if they had to come out of our region.

Switzerland won there first nine games and could not qualify, that's crazy. If Greece get them might be to our advantage as they could be vulnerable psychology. Anyway I prefer Denmark. Can't wait for the draw and the playoffs.

That's true Italy would get some ridiculous call go there way like for example the Henry hand ball goal vs Ireland. I would be nervous FIFA would conspire against Greece.

If they play like they did vs Belgium they can beat any of these sides. Denmark is our best option, Italy are not the same but wouldn't want to go against them as they play similar defensive game as we do. Plus I'm sure FIFA would find away to get them in. Switzerland don't scare me and we havs done well vs Croatia.

I think we would take Denmark they can play real well like when they thrashed Poland or they struggle with the lesser teams. Everything runs through Erickson. Who else do they have? I think we hold our own with Switzerland.

Bravo Ellas! I would like to see Denmark

Portugal are through. I would not mind playing Switzerland.