TRS-T Posted January 24, 2014 Share Posted January 24, 2014 (edited) England will avoid Germany and Spain in Euro 2016 qualifying after being named as one of the top seeds. Italy, Holland, Portugal, Greece, Russia and Bosnia-Hercegovina are the other top seeds in qualifying. The Republic of Ireland are among the second seeds, with Scotland and Wales among the fourth seeds and Northern Ireland among the fifth. There will be eight groups of six and one group of five as teams aim to reach the 24-nation finals in France. The draw will take place in Nice on 23 February. Seedings are decided by Uefa's coefficient system, which is different to Fifa's world ranking. France will also take part in qualifying, the first hosts to do so after a rule change, although no qualifying points will rest on their fixtures. They will play in the finals whatever the outcome of their games. Explaining the rule change, Uefa president Michel Platini said it was brought in because the hosts, who are normally exempt from qualifying, have found it hard in the past to arrange friendlies. He added that France will join the group that includes five teams. Gibraltar, taking part for the first time after being accepted as a Uefa member last year, will be kept apart from neighbours Spain in qualifying to avoid exacerbating political tensions. Azerbaijan and Armenia will also be kept apart for the same reason, but Russia and Georgia, who do not share diplomatic ties following conflict between the two former Soviet republics in 2008, have agreed to play each other if drawn in the same pot. There is also a change to the Euro 2016 fixture schedule, with qualifying matches spread over six days rather than being played on just Fridays and Tuesdays. Uefa secretary general Gianni Infantino said the initiative was good news for fans, broadcasters and national associations. Qualifying pots for Euro 2016 draw: Pot 1: Spain (holders), Germany, Netherlands, Italy, England, Portugal, Greece, Russia, Bosnia-Hercegovina Pot 2 : Ukraine, Croatia, Sweden, Denmark, Switzerland, Belgium, Czech Republic, Hungary, Republic of Ireland Pot 3 : Serbia, Turkey, Slovenia, Israel, Norway, Slovakia, Romania, Austria, Poland Pot 4: Montenegro, Armenia, Scotland, Finland, Latvia, Wales, Bulgaria, Estonia, Belarus Pot 5 : Iceland, Northern Ireland, Albania, Lithuania, Moldova, Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Cyprus Pot 6 : Luxembourg, Kazakhstan, Liechtenstein, Faroe Islands, Malta, Andorra, San Marino, Gibraltar And people say we are average If only Scotland were in Pot 3 then we could have had all the Home Nations in one group. I hope we get England Czech Republic Serbia Latvia Lithuania Gibraltar Teams that we have never played against or haven't played against for a long time. Top 2 qualify automatically and the 3rd place team goes into the play-offs. Edited January 24, 2014 by TRS-T Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VT Supporter Stevo985 Posted January 24, 2014 VT Supporter Share Posted January 24, 2014 That rule about France playing is a bit weird. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coda Posted January 24, 2014 Share Posted January 24, 2014 No Switzerland in Pot 1. I wonder how UEFA and FIFA differ in their coefficients/rankings. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TRS-T Posted January 24, 2014 Author Share Posted January 24, 2014 That rule about France playing is a bit weird. I think it's a good idea otherwise they would have to arrange friendlies against non-European opposition in preparation for the European Championship. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VT Supporter Stevo985 Posted January 24, 2014 VT Supporter Share Posted January 24, 2014 Aye I can see why they've done it. I just think those games will be a bit strange. Almost like friendlies within a competition. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VT Supporter Nigel Posted January 24, 2014 VT Supporter Share Posted January 24, 2014 Belgium in pot 2? That will be a tough draw for someone! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VT Supporter Nigel Posted January 24, 2014 VT Supporter Share Posted January 24, 2014 There are some suspect teams in that top group. Scotland and Wales must be liking their chances should the draw go for them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderator NurembergVillan Posted January 24, 2014 Moderator Share Posted January 24, 2014 England will avoid Germany and Spain in Euro 2016 qualifying after being named as one of the top seeds. Italy, Holland, Portugal, Greece, Russia and Bosnia-Herzegovina are the other top seeds in qualifying. The Republic of Ireland will be among the pot of second seeds, Scotland and Wales are among the fourth seeds and Northern Ireland are among the fifth. There will be eight groups of six and one group of five as teams aim to reach the 24-nation finals in France. The seedings are decided by Uefa's coefficient system, which is different to Fifa's world ranking, while the draw will take place in Nice on 23 February. All the host nations may be drawn against France, who have become the first home nation to take part in European Championship qualifying following a Uefa rule change. There will be no qualifying points resting on their fixtures. Gibraltar, taking part for the first time after being accepted as a Uefa member last year, will be kept apart in the qualifying draw from neighbours Spain. Azerbaijan and Armenia would also be kept apart but Russia and Georgia could be drawn together after agreeing to the format. Pot 1 - Spain, Germany, Holland, Italy, England, Portugal, Greece, Russia, Bosnia and Herzegovina Pot 2 - Ukraine, Croatia, Sweden, Denmark, Switzerland, Belgium, Czech Republic, Hungary, Republic of Ireland Pot 3 - Serbia, Turkey, Slovenia, Israel, Norway, Slovakia, Romania, Austria, Poland Pot 4 - Montenegro, Armenia, Scotland, Finland, Latvia, Wales, Bulgaria, Estonia, Belarus Pot 5 - Iceland, Northern Ireland, Albania, Lithuania, Moldova, Macedonia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Cyprus, Pot 6 - Luxembourg, Kazakhstan, Liechtenstein, Faroe Islands, Malta, Andorra, San Marino, Gibraltar And people say we are average If only Scotland were in Pot 3 then we could have had all the Home Nations in one group. Poland are in Pot 3 so it could still happen. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Czechlad Posted January 24, 2014 Share Posted January 24, 2014 I just hope Czech doesn't mess things up in qualifying like for the world cup. New manager which will surely help this time around. Bilek was awful. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VillaChris Posted January 24, 2014 Share Posted January 24, 2014 For the 100th time the generation of Nedved, Porbosky, Smicer, Jan Koller, Milan Baros, Ufalusi, Jankulowski is long gone. All top class Czech players playing for top class clubs. And now? I assume Rosicky is on the brink of retiring aswell? That said top 2 and 3rd being a play off should give Czechs and the home nations a good chance of being involved. I don't understand the France thing either. So if they finish 3rd say in a 6 team group, does that mean the 4th place team qualifies. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CardiffGreens Posted January 25, 2014 Share Posted January 25, 2014 I don't understand the France thing either. So if they finish 3rd say in a 6 team group, does that mean the 4th place team qualifies. As I understand it, any game involving France in qualification won't award points to either team, to I imagine France will finish bottom/bottom but one with 0 points. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VillaChris Posted January 25, 2014 Share Posted January 25, 2014 O.k so what happens to France's world ranking an co-efficient for future draws? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VT Supporter Nigel Posted January 26, 2014 VT Supporter Share Posted January 26, 2014 Id say they would count the same as they would playing friendlys. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StefanAVFC Posted January 26, 2014 Share Posted January 26, 2014 And people say we are average We're not average because we've been seeded by people who sit behind a desk all day? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TRS-T Posted January 26, 2014 Author Share Posted January 26, 2014 And people say we are average We're not average because we've been seeded by people who sit behind a desk all day? If we were average we wouldn't be in Pot 1 would we. We would be in Pot 3 or 4. Scotland and Wales are average. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StefanAVFC Posted January 26, 2014 Share Posted January 26, 2014 (edited) And people say we are average We're not average because we've been seeded by people who sit behind a desk all day? If we were average we wouldn't be in Pot 1 would we. We would be in Pot 3 or 4. Scotland and Wales are average. You haven't actually responded to what I said. Edited January 26, 2014 by StefanAVFC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VillaChris Posted January 26, 2014 Share Posted January 26, 2014 Just looking at the group scenarios Scots and Wales should really be targeting the play offs.... Both would want a group of Greece Hungary Norway Wales/Scots Moldova San Marino That would be a brilliant draw for either...in fairness there are a few average teams in pot 2 and 3. How come Iceland are still in pot 5 despite their improvement in the last year? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
villa4europe Posted January 26, 2014 Share Posted January 26, 2014 Aston villa are an average premier league team, they arent an average team when you throw in the football league Now put that in the context of england... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TRS-T Posted January 26, 2014 Author Share Posted January 26, 2014 And people say we are average We're not average because we've been seeded by people who sit behind a desk all day? If we were average we wouldn't be in Pot 1 would we. We would be in Pot 3 or 4. Scotland and Wales are average. You haven't actually responded to what I said. We're not average because we're better than the vast majority of European teams as shown by the seedings (which are based on results.) 5th strongest European team out of 53. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VillaChris Posted January 26, 2014 Share Posted January 26, 2014 5th or 6th is about right for England in European terms, reflects the annual performances at major tournaments. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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