Key Matches Coming Up in EURO 2016 Qualifiers Campaign

Jun 12, 2015 - by Dani

EURO 2016 Qualifiers

The teams have reached a very important phase in the qualifying series for the Euro 2016 tournament in France. Several sides can strengthen their charming positions while some of them will have their last chance to launch a charge in order to secure a place that grants qualification. Scotland and the Republic of Ireland might decide between each other on who to challenge for advancing, while Northern Ireland and Romania could be happy with a draw in Bucharest. The same goes for Croatia and Italy, and in the meantime England prepares to face an excellent Slovenian goalkeeper in Samir Handanovic.

BBC.com: Euro 2016: Four games which could define qualifying

The European club footballing season might be over, but very important EURO 2016 qualifiers are coming up in the next few days. Scotland is going for the nation’s first major tournament appearance against the Republic of Ireland, a team that is also in the hunt for qualification places.

Northern Ireland, a side that never participated in a European Championship final tournament, are in good position in Group F, and they are going to entertain their biggest rivals, Romania in Bucharest. Wales are also striving to reach their first ever Euro tournament, and they will be in a wonderful place if they beat Belgium in the top match of Group B .

Though raising the number of teams from 16 to 24 could favour several smaller nations, keen followers of live sports results might have noticed that footballing giant Holland did everything in order to miss the event so far. They can tidy up things a bit in their away match against Latvia.

UEFA.com: What to watch out for in Friday’s EURO qualifiers

Iceland and the Czech Republic could edge one step closer to the EURO 2016 finals in Group A with a win from both sides with Tomas Rosicky preparing for his 100th cap. The Netherlands and Turkey have to start really good streaks in order to remain in contention regarding qualification in the final phase of the series.

Netherlands and Turkey do not have the luxury of losing points (Photo: Mackolik)

Gareth Bale might lead Wales to a major event, which is a feature even Ryan Giggs was unable to pull off. The Dragons’ only participation in a major tournament came in the 1958 World Cup in Sweden, and though they had brilliant players in virtually every generation since, they always failed to qualify. This could change now as Wales is looking to overrun Belgium at the top of Group B.

In Group H Croatia will host Italy and according to gambling news a draw might suit to both sides as well as anyone who place a wager at online sportsbooks. Four of their last six matches against each other resulted in a tie and you can expect another draw as Croatia is sitting on the top of Group H with Squadra Azzurra following them after a two-point gap.

The Guardian: England face tall task to beat Slovenia’s goalkeeper Samir Handanovic

Jan Oblak might be one of the best young goalkeepers in the world, but as things look right now, he won’t get a chance to represent his country in serious matches in the near future, since 30-year-old Samir Handanovic of Internazionale is doing extremely well in goal.

England has to pass Handanovic (Photo: Dailymail)

Handanovic is tall but not too tall to get down for low shots, he is athletic and well-built but thin enough to be agile, and he is okay with his feet on the ball. According to former Italy and Inter hero Francesco Toldo, Handanovic carried his team on his shoulders with his saves, producing outstanding performances week in week out.

He is also a serial penalty killer, having saved 21 shots from the spot in his Serie A career which is only three less than the all-time record of Gianluca Pagliuca’s 24. “My number of saves is greater just because of our ages, but he’ll soon surpass me,” stated Pagliuca according to sports scores news.

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