Initially, the draw was not "blind" - the teams were divided into two baskets according to the rating. Thus, for example, meetings between Northern Ireland and Ireland were immediately excluded. Both "island" teams were among the unseeded along with Sweden and Greece. The first basket was made up by Switzerland, Italy, Croatia and Denmark. It is definitely impossible to say that these fours are fundamentally different in their level. And the results of the draw, which was conducted by the legendary defender of the “Real” in the past, Fernando Hierro, turned out to be amazing. Almost all the participants recognized it as successful and were delighted. Considering that they have a good chance of success.
Perhaps the least optimism is now among the fans of the Swedish national team. She got the objectively strongest team from the “seeded” basket - Italy. Scandinavians are not very lucky with the draws at all - recall that in qualifying they fought in Group A with France, Holland and Bulgaria. Coming out of such a solid company, it is probably a shame to get the 2006 World Champion as a rival. On the other hand, the Italians in the qualifying tournament did not show any outstanding football and looked rather mediocre. So no one will give the victory to Scuadre Azzurra in advance. Skeptics quickly recalled that the last time Italians could not qualify for the World Cup in 1958. And that tournament was held ... in Sweden.
As for the other couples, everyone has more or less equal chances. Croatia looks a little more preferable against the background of Greece. But the order of the matches can play an important role here. The first fight will take place in Zagreb, which plays into the hands of the "Hellenes". In a two-legged confrontation, it is traditionally more profitable to start on the road in order to have the support of your stands at the decisive moment. In Athens, they always get hot sick, so it is very difficult to predict the outcome of this battle.
The pairs turned out to be so even that almost all the participants of the draw were satisfied
But, perhaps, the results of the draw caused the greatest delight in Ireland - both in its northern part and in the main territory of the island. Even before the start of the procedure Main coach For the Northern Ireland national team, Michael O Neil said that of the four potential rivals, he personally would prefer someone from the Denmark-Switzerland pair, but not Italy or Croatia. And how he looked into the water. His national team will play in the end with the Swiss, while Ireland will fight the Danes.
There will be an interesting confrontation. Any coach will tell you that it is better to play the second leg in the playoffs at home. On the other hand, if it comes to extra time, then this will give an advantage to the guests. In any case, a very important period awaits us now. We won two last match to get into the “seams”, and I really hope that in the next month my players will not get injured playing for the clubs, - said the head coach of the Irish national team Martin O Neil on the results of the draw.
His guys in green will kick off the playoffs in Copenhagen and the return leg will take place in Dublin. It is interesting that the balance of personal meetings in this pair is in favor of the Irish. The national teams met 13 times, and only three matches ended in favor of the Danes.
The most important thing is not to miss the first leg in Belfast. We usually play well at home and have lost only once in four years, mused another O Neil named Michael, who heads the Northern Ireland national team.
timetable
Northern Ireland - Switzerland
Croatia - Greece
Sweden - Italy
Denmark - Ireland
Switzerland - Northern Ireland
Greece - Croatia
Italy - Sweden
The time indicated in the broadcast is Moscow
15:20. Well, we are waiting for the matches. The most interesting pair seems to be Sweden - Italy, but the other three are decent. In any case, everyone will try to get to the World Cup in Russia, all that remains is to wish the teams good luck. All the best!
15:10. First pair: Northern Ireland - Switzerland. Second pair: Croatia - Greece. Third pair: Denmark - Ireland. Fourth pair: Sweden - Italy.
15:00. The draw has begun! First, as usual, the official and solemn part.
14:55. Participants and representatives of football delegations are already in the hall. It's starting very soon. Everyone recognizes their rival.
14:45. The draw will begin soon, but for now we remind you once again who will definitely perform on all continents.
14:30. Let's remember the pleasant. Exactly 10 years ago, the Russian national team beat England (2: 1) in the qualifying match for the 2008 European Championship held at Luzhniki. The double was designed by Roman Pavlyuchenko.
14:15. The hosts of the ceremony are already known. They are Mexican journalist Vanessa Huppencoten and famous Spanish defender Fernando Hierro.
14:00. Greetings to all football fans! We are glad to bring to your attention the text broadcast of the draw play-offs European qualifications. The ceremony, which will take place in Zurich, is scheduled to start at 15:00 Moscow time, but we start our broadcast in advance in order to have time to introduce you to interesting facts.
So, the owners of 23 out of 32 vouchers have already been determined. Europe at the 2018 world championship will be represented by 14 teams, including the host of the tournament, the Russian national team. According to the results of the group stage of the European qualification, nine teams won the right to compete in Russia. In the playoffs, the top eight teams of the runners-up in their groups will compete for the remaining four spots.
10 facts you might have missed about the 2018 World Cup
Messi will not do without again.
As for the technical regulations, as reported on the official FIFA website, eight teams will be divided into two baskets, one of which will include the four national teams occupying higher places in the FIFA world rankings as of October 16, 2017. According to it, the four higher-ranking teams - Switzerland, Italy, Croatia and Denmark - form the first basket, while the other four - Northern Ireland, Sweden, Ireland and Greece - are assigned to the second basket.
First, one ball will be removed from the first basket, then from the second basket, after which they will be placed in the third basket. Then both balls will be mixed and taken out one at a time, determining which team will play the first match at home. The rest of the balls will be done in a similar manner.
Finally, we remind you that the first matches of the Champions League will be held on April 3 and 4, and the return ones - on the 10th and 11th.
Thank you for being friends with us. Let us know in the comments your expectations from the matches of the Europa League and Champions League quarterfinals. Well, stay with Sport Arena!
Third pair
Atlético - Sporting L
Fourth pair
Lazio - Salzburg
Second pair
Arsenal - CSKA
First pair
Leipzig - Marseille
The ceremony has begun. All the traditional formalities and so on.
The balls will be pulled by Eric Abidal, Europa League final ambassador in Lyon.
It's time to remind once again those who have not seen or have not done
Let's remember how the clubs reached the quarterfinals of the tournament.
Salzburg defeated Borussia Dortmund. First match - 2: 1, return - 0: 0
Lisbon Sporting barely beat Victoria Plzen. First leg 2: 0, return - 1: 2 (extra time)
Lazio dealt with Dynamo. First match - 2: 2, return - 2: 0
Arsenal confidently defeated Milan. First match - 2: 0, return 3: 1
Leipzig passed the Zenith. First match - 2: 1, return - 1: 1
Marcel easily dealt with Athletic. First match - 3: 1, return - 2: 1
CSKA snatched a ticket from Lyon. First leg - 0: 1, return - 3: 2
Atletico destroyed Lokomotiv. First match - 3: 0, return - 5: 1
In the meantime, let's move on to the Europa League. Everything there is also no less interesting.
The top eight teams of the tournament included:
Salzburg, Sporting L, Lazio, Arsenal, Leipzig, Marseille, CSKA, Atletico
What do you think of the results of the draw? Will there be surprises or will the favorites move on? Leave your comments!
Third pair
Juventus - Real
Fourth
Liverpool - Manchester City
Second pair
Seville - Bayern
First pair
Barcelona - Roma
We were reminded that in the quarterfinals, teams from one country are not divorced. As in the Europa League.
And Andrey Shevchenko took the stage. Everything will start now!
The event has already started. We are shown the brightest moments of the 1/8 finals.
Recall that the head coach of the Ukrainian national team will pull the balls Andrey Shevchenko... He is the ambassador for the Champions League final to be held on May 26 in Kiev. For him, this procedure is usual in the current season.
Before the hustle and bustle of the draw begins, we remind you of an important point.
Sport Arena has launched its own Android app. Everything is convenient, simple and to the point. Well, you understand.
Let's recall the results of the 1/8 finals
Barcelona made it to the round of 16 after dealing with Chelsea. First match - 1: 1, return - 3: 0
Real Madrid beat PSG. The first match - 3: 1, return - 2: 1.
Manchester City has dealt with Basel. First match - 5: 0, return 1: 2
Liverpool defeated Porto. First match - 5: 0, return - 0: 0
Bayern beat Besiktas without any problems. The first match 5: 0, return - 3: 1.
Roma passed Shakhtar. The first match - 1: 2, return 1: 0.
Juventus beat Tottenham on aggregate. The first match - 2: 2, return - 2: 1.
Sevilla beat Manchester United sensationally. The first match - 0: 0, return - 2: 1.
Champions League Quarterfinals Teams
Barcelona, Real Madrid, Sevilla, Liverpool, Manchester City, Roma, Juventus, Bayern
Good afternoon friends! The highlight of Friday in European football will be the Champions League and Europa League quarter-finals draws.
As usual, the pairs of the Champions League teams will be determined starting at 13:00, and in the Europa League, the balls will be drawn at 14:00.
