Tallinn to Torshavn
Mon, Feb 08 2010
Northern Ireland have drawn a tough group for Euro 2012.
We sat in anticipation waiting for our balls to drop (soz) and when they did three South Africa World Cup qualifiers were in the mix. We find ourselves again up against Slovenia, who as we know finished second in our WC group, and Group winners Serbia. We failed against both these sides in the last campaign and with Italy the 'biggy' we find ourselves with a tough task indeed. The two remaining teams Estonia and Faroe Islands, should be beatable, but you never know with Northern Ireland.
Again our problem will no doubt be away from home but thankfully, save for the Faroes, nowhere is too far away for the Northern Ireland supporters not to turn up in numbers.
Nigel Worthington concedes it's a tough group but is backing our players to succeed nonetheless.
"I would rather play the bigger nations because from a players point of view to get up for those games is not so much of a problem," he told the BBC.
"It is a tough group. Three of the teams have qualified for the World Cup which shows you how good it is. There will be a lot of good football in it and I expect all teams will take points off each other."
Northern Ireland begin their preparations in Tirana, Albania early next month. Nigel Worthington is going to have to look carefully at his squad and perhaps be willing to take a few risks. We know from our last campaign the fitness levels of both the Serbs and the Slovaks. But most important is getting off to a good start for Euro 2012. The last three campaigns have not and ultimately that has been the catalyst for our demise given our poor away form.
David Healy will be delighted at getting an assist in his opening game with Ipswich. Tractorboys captain Jon Walters (No.19) passed to Healy (No.20) whose cross was converted by Daryl Murphy (No.21) in the 22nd second. How bizarre.
We have created a new tab on our website called Euro 2012 which will have all the match reports and info for this forthcoming campaign. Please visit http://www.notbrazil.co.uk/euro2012.htm
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