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Euro 2012
Play-off opinion: for once, the end justifies means
Our man in Tallinn, Miguel Delaney, says that – although you can argue with the style and even the manner of victory – it’s undeniable that qualification for Euro 2012 is still a superb achievement
For extended periods during last night’s first leg, Ireland were embarrassed by both Estonia’s elegance of touch and control of the midfield. And, overall, Giovanni Trapattoni’s side were probably lucky to, first of all, draw the Estonians and, secondly, to see them self-destruct.
But, in truth, that’s all colour. Just more arguable points in the ongoing debate about Trapattoni’s exact style of play.
And, ultimately, only one aspect of it all is truly undeniable: Ireland are on the verge of only a fifth international tournament in their history.
And, when you break all of that down to the bare bones, it is an undeniable achievement.
For a start, it ends a decade-long wait for qualification. Secondly, it only happened after Ireland came out of a group which featured a well-populated Euro 2008 semi-finalist and a team that reached the last 16 of the 2010 World Cup. After that, they then went and all but eliminated a side that had come out of a group with three World Cup qualifiers themselves. And they didn’t just beat Estonia. They battered them.
It should, of course, be acknowledged here that we’ve argued on these pages before that international football has never been more open. As a result of sides like Slovenia knocking out Russia in 2010 and teams like Greece actually winning championships, we still believe that qualification should now be the least of every mid-tier team’s aims.
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There also remain justifiable concerns about the exact style of play. Completely ceding midfield – as Ireland again did tonight – could have embarrassing consequences against sides who really know how to use the ball. And there is a chance Ireland could end up in a group with Spain, Germany and Croatia.
But, first of all, Ireland have now met that first target. Trapattoni has achieved the objective he was hired for. That represents a basic success. Even if there are many caveats about his manner.
Secondly, the exact nature of the 4-0 win over Estonia did illustrate some semblance of progress.
On a series of previous occasions when Ireland have been in control of a game, the manager has been reluctant to press home the advantage – preferring to protect what he has. And that has invited an unnecessary amount of danger and doubt in a lot of games.
Against Estonia, at last, they impressively and clinically went for the jugular.
Afterwards, Trapattoni was keen to emphasise that situation was the inevitable high point of a long evolution for his team – that the team was always eventually going to produce that kind of proactive football.
It’s highly possible, of course, that he was retrospectively applying that analysis; that he saw his team look clinical and then opportunistically claiming credit.
It’s also even more probable that Ireland only looked so emphatic because they were fortunate that Estonia self-destructed with the two red cards.
But, in saying that, the chances still had to be created and taken. And that’s what they did. How often have other, stronger sides been congratulated for only performing moderately for the majority of a game before then killing it off in a flurry of late goals?
Ireland did step forward. They did make the most of the opportunity.
And that is progress, no matter how qualified.
Because, ultimately, that’s the key word: “qualified”.
Ireland have two feet in Euro 2012. They’re just waiting for the door to close behind them.
Agreed; all that spitting and shouting at the ref, never mind the tribalistic thuggery it engenders internationally.
A lot to be said for oval shaped balls.
This is qualified success in a worldwide sport, not reaching the quarter finals of a sport played by 10 teams… Genuine achievement by an extremely mediocre side. Possibly the worst Irish side in my life, but much more commendable than coming out of a group they were expected to come out of(like the oval-balled lads) and then losing to a side they should beat. These boys have a massive task in front of them now. If they can pick up some points it’ll be a result. And if they do a Greece, yourself and the D4 crowd will probably be first on the bandwagon. I’ve been on it years though and there’s plenty of room whenever you’re ready.
99.999% Qualified which is a great achievement for the material that Trap has. Europe is more difficult to qualify for than the World cup well done to the team. It will give the country something to look forward to next summer the kind of buzz that an oval ball would never give to such a wide section of the population.
Worst Irish side in your life?! what age are you, 2? This is easily the best Irish side in 10 years, possibly on a par with the ’02 team. Its the tactics that make the team look bad.
Great achievement overall to qualify and well done to the lads but Ireland’s style looked like that of a second rate Jack Charlton’s tonight for much of the time, belting high balls at and into Walters, who did very well. If only we had a player who could put his foot on the ball in the centre of the park and spray the odd decent pass. The result is obviously the most important thing but we are just not an enjoyable team to watch at present and the players to me seem to be stifled, mainly by Trap’s tactics.
A win is a win no matter what you can watch any match and get a bad game but when it your team and you win it’s a great feeling and I hope it’s lift us all out of this recession come on Ireland
“international football has never been more open. As a result ……teams like Greece actually winning etc. “. That’s incredible , Greece were the most defensive team ever to win a championship. Their games were like watching chess in slow motion. Some sports reporters give you the impression they have never done more than read each others articles.
Did anyone else notice the flag the Estonian supporters were flying last night? It was the Union Jack, with the Three Lions crest of England, but in the Estonian colours. What was that all about?
No no Alan,that s only when all the normal priced flights to Poland are sold that Michael will raise the prices,do u know so all the rest of us can have the chance to buy tickets at €400 odd euro
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Great result – horrible game
Agreed; all that spitting and shouting at the ref, never mind the tribalistic thuggery it engenders internationally.
A lot to be said for oval shaped balls.
And as is evident here you will often find a cock on the end of them
This is qualified success in a worldwide sport, not reaching the quarter finals of a sport played by 10 teams… Genuine achievement by an extremely mediocre side. Possibly the worst Irish side in my life, but much more commendable than coming out of a group they were expected to come out of(like the oval-balled lads) and then losing to a side they should beat. These boys have a massive task in front of them now. If they can pick up some points it’ll be a result. And if they do a Greece, yourself and the D4 crowd will probably be first on the bandwagon. I’ve been on it years though and there’s plenty of room whenever you’re ready.
99.999% Qualified which is a great achievement for the material that Trap has. Europe is more difficult to qualify for than the World cup well done to the team. It will give the country something to look forward to next summer the kind of buzz that an oval ball would never give to such a wide section of the population.
Worst Irish side in your life?! what age are you, 2? This is easily the best Irish side in 10 years, possibly on a par with the ’02 team. Its the tactics that make the team look bad.
Oh please,no more oval ball shennanigans,please.
Great achievement overall to qualify and well done to the lads but Ireland’s style looked like that of a second rate Jack Charlton’s tonight for much of the time, belting high balls at and into Walters, who did very well. If only we had a player who could put his foot on the ball in the centre of the park and spray the odd decent pass. The result is obviously the most important thing but we are just not an enjoyable team to watch at present and the players to me seem to be stifled, mainly by Trap’s tactics.
A win is a win no matter what you can watch any match and get a bad game but when it your team and you win it’s a great feeling and I hope it’s lift us all out of this recession come on Ireland
“international football has never been more open. As a result ……teams like Greece actually winning etc. “. That’s incredible , Greece were the most defensive team ever to win a championship. Their games were like watching chess in slow motion. Some sports reporters give you the impression they have never done more than read each others articles.
I think it’s fairly obvious he means ‘open’ in the sense of ‘there for the taking’, as opposed to an open style of play.
Tens of thousands of paddies boarding flights to Poland next Summer- whoda thunk it?
I could almost hear Michael O’Leary hiking up prices at the end of the game.
Did anyone else notice the flag the Estonian supporters were flying last night? It was the Union Jack, with the Three Lions crest of England, but in the Estonian colours. What was that all about?
Did wonder about the union Jack alright. Weird!
great article,spot on!
No no Alan,that s only when all the normal priced flights to Poland are sold that Michael will raise the prices,do u know so all the rest of us can have the chance to buy tickets at €400 odd euro