Well, well, well. We beat Denmark 2-1. But for he Swedes losing in Spain all we would have to do now is beat Spain in the Canaries on Wednesday. As it stands we need our good Latvian friends to do the almost impossible.
Not wishing to request a concerto of violins and accompanying string instruments, but try working yer ballix off to get a fanzine out on time, using new printers bla, bla and on the day it's a total washout. So, despite losing 2/3rds of our stock we're still happy albeit skinted forever. The match nearly didn't get played such were the conditions in Belfast, which would have left UEFA/IFA an historical dilemma, given that football cannot be played on a Sunday in the Province.
As it stood the game was played in completely ludicrous conditions with players aquaplaning like they were kids on a skid run. Unable to pass the ball on the ground it led to some interesting and skilful individual performances in what was looking to be an even contest. The first half was furious, frenetic and very wet. Healy came close in the 18th minute only to have Sorenson clear.
Gillespie looked like a man possessed (again) and his passion was punished following a challenge on Chris Sorensen, which means he will time to relax in the Canaries.
It was respectable goaless half-time result but we knew we had to do something despite the appalling conditions. We couldn't let the weather put paid to our chances. Only five into the half Leon Andreasen took a long throw-n which saw Nicklas Bendtner toe-poke it passed Taylor to put the Dames ahead. Disappointment was uncomfortably close but hakfully there was most of the half remaining to do something about it.
That didn't take too long. Norn Iron pressurised and on the 61st Warren Feeny got away from his marker to flick a beautiful header beyond Sorenson from a cross from Brunt. Windsor Park went absolutely mental. We're gonna win 2-1…
Feeney very nearly scored the goal of the tournament with a phenomenal strike in the 65th minute that came off the upright from a half-volley.
You could almost see it coming. You could smell it in the rain. Healy, who everyone expected to pass with his back to goal, turned at at the acutest of angle chipped over Tommy Sorenson to put us ahead with 10 minutes to go.
There is not a nail left unbitten on an Ulster finger as the longest 10 minutes since September 2005 dragged and dragged. We were soaked to the skin but our boys did it yet again. A phenomenal performance from a phenomenal team of players.
Typically, the Englanders look like they will stutter to the Euros while our sterling efforts will go unrewarded but to finish third in the Group is an achievement that surpasses all our initial expectations.
Phenomenal.
Final Score:
Norn Iron: 2 (Feeney 61, Healy 80)
Denmark: 1 (Bendtner 50)
Norn Iron: Taylor, McAuley, Evans, Hughes, Craigan, Clingan, Gillespie (Sproule 74), Davis, Brunt, Healy, Feeney (Baird 85)
Subs Not Used: Mannus, Capaldi, Hamilton, Robinson, Paterson
Denmark: T Sorensen, Priske (wurtz 72), C Sorensen, M Laursen, Kroldrup, C Poulsen, Andreasen, Kahlenberg (D Sorensen 46), Rommedahl, Jorgensen, (S Poulsen 79), Bendtner
Subs Not Used: Andersen, Niclas Jensen, Ulrik Laursen, Larsen
Bookings: Hughes, Gillespie, Andreasen
Ref: Pieter Vink (Netherlands)
HDMOTN: Sammy Clingan |
