Portugal Draw at Bosnia, Ireland and Croatia Cruise Away From Home, Czechs Beat Montenegro


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After the first 90 minutes of Euro 2012 qualifications playoffs in four games, we’re pretty much certain we have three teams qualifying into the tournament, and another one getting a nice advantage for mid-week with a hard earned draw on a very tough pitch.

Portugal came to Bosnia and the biggest news out of the whole first leg was the relationship and love formed between Cristiano Ronaldo and Bosnian fans. Ronaldo didn’t have a great game, but no one actually did, as the Bosnia hardly managed to create any chances at home and will struggle to do so, basing their game on one player (Edin Dzeko), in Portugal.

In Turkey, the Guus Hiddink magic didn’t work again. Croatia scored within two minutes through Ivica Olic, and from there, the hosts seemed panic, frantic and desperate. The only momentum they were able to create was thwarted half an our later after more abysmal defending, through Mario Mandzukic’s goal. Vedran Corluka, with a rare impressive attacking game, scored the third and final goal in a very impressive 3-0 away win.

The Czech Republic got the only home win of the night, beating tough nut Montenegro 2-0, with goals from Vaclav Pilar and a very late but very important Tomas Sivok goal. Tomas Rosicky set up both goals, with Pilar’s strike being the best of the night in all of the matches.

In Estonia, no upset was recorded. Ireland were screwed by Thierry Henry’s handball two years ago, but nothing will deny them their first Euro appearance since 1988, their only one to date. A comfortable 4-0 win with Keith Andrews opening the gates, while Jonathan Walters and Robbie Keane (twice) following up.


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