Administrator Stan Posted March 19 Administrator Share Posted March 19 Thursday 21st March, 2024 Path A Poland vs Estonia, 19.45 Wales vs Finland, 19.45 Path B Bosnia vs Ukraine, 19.45 Israel vs Iceland, 19.45 Path C Georgia vs Luxembourg, 17.00 Greece vs Kazakhstan, 19.45 Tuesday 26th March, 2024 Poland/Estonia vs Wales/Finland Bosnia/Ukraine vs Israel/Iceland, 19.45 Georgia/Luxembourg vs Greece/Kazakhstan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Posted March 19 Share Posted March 19 (edited) I am looking forward to the Bosnia v Ukraine game which will be played in Zenica, Bosnia. On paper, Ukraine have the better team, but playing away against a partisan Bosnian crowd is not going to be easy. Bosnia also have some very good players in their team. In attack, they still have Dzeko leading the line, while Demirovic has 14 Bundesliga goals for Augsburg this season, with 8 assists. Another Bosnian forward who is on fire this season is Hertha Berlin's Haris Tabakovic, who is the 2nd top goalscorer in the 2. Bundesliga this season, just behind Glatzel with 15 goals. Tabakovic's team-mate at Hertha, Smail Prevljak, who also used to lead the line for RB Salzburg, is a decent option off the bench as well for Bosnia. In midfield, Pjanic will pull the creative strings and hope to create Bosnia's chances. AC Milan's Rade Krunic is a box to box midfielder, whose dribbling abilities Bosnia will also look to take advantage of, in helping them get a result over Ukraine. Toulouse attacking player Said Hamulic has been used as a useful winger for Bosnia and the creative player who is currently on loan at Lokomotiv Moscow, could start in this big match. Ajax's Benjamin Tahirovic and Koln's Denis Huseinbasic will provide the strength and work-rate in midfield for Bosnia. Gojko Cimirot and Haris Hajradinovic are 2 experienced midfielders who might also be important for the Bosnian cause in this match. While the youngster Dal Varesanovic, could be a dark horse, as the attacking midfielder and former Liverpool youth player is currently having an excellent season for his Turkish club Caykur Rizespor. In central defence, Hamburg's Dennis Hadzikadunic is a certain starter. Partnering him in central defence will probably be Sheffield United's Anel Ahmedhodzic. Although defender Adnan Kovacevic, of high flying Polish club Rakow Czestochowa, could play a part in this match. Atalanta and ex-Arsenal left-back Sead Kolasinac, is certain to start in that position for Bosnia. While at right-back, RB Salzburg player Amar Dedic will probably start for Bosnia ahead of Sturm Graz's right-back Jusuf Gazibegovic. As for the goalkeeper for Bosnia, Nikola Vasilj of 2. Bundesliga table toppers St. Pauli, has a good chance of starting for Bosnia. The very experienced keeper Ibrahim Sehic, might have to make do with a place on the bench. Although it will be a close call as to who starts between the 2 keepers. As for Ukraine, Benfica's Trubin will battle it out with Real Madrid's Lunin for the starting goalkeeper place in the team. In central defence, Bournemouth's Illya Zabarnyi will partner Shakhtar's Mykola Matviyenko. LASK's Maksym Talovyerov, Dynamo Kyiv's Denys Popov and Valeriy Bondar of Shaktar Donetsk will all provide cover for the central defence positions. At left-back, Everton's Vitaliy Mykolenko should start. Bohdan Mykhaylichenko will provide cover at left-back. At right-back, Yukhym Konoplya of Shakhtar Donetsk is likely to start, although Dynamo Kyiv's Oleksandr Tymchyk will push him for a starting place. In midfield, key creative midfielder Viktor Tsyhankov of Girona, will sadly miss this match through injury and experienced defensive midfielder Stepanenko also misses out due to injury. So the experienced Serhiy Sydorchuk of Westerlo will no doubt now start in the defensive midfield position, although the young emerging Volodymyr Brazhko of Dynamo Kyiv is a defensive midfielder to look out for in the future. Zinchenko of Arsenal and Shakhtar Donetsk's Heorhiy Sudakov will both play in the central creative roles in midfield. Mudryk of Chelsea will start on the left-wing, while Oleksandr Zubkov is likely to replace the injured Tsyhankov on the right wing. Mykola Shaparenko has returned from a long term injury and the Dynamo Kyiv midfielder may play some part in this match. While Genoa's Ruslan Malinovskyi will probably also have to make do with starting on the bench. Other reserve midfielders for this match will be the Dnipro-1 duo of Oleksandr Pikhalyonok and Oleksiy Hutsulyak. Artem Dovbyk of FC Girona will undoubtedly be the centre-forward who leads the attack in this match. Valencia's Roman Yaremchuk will have to settle for a place on the bench, alongside the younger forwards Danylo Sikan of Shakhtar Donetsk and Vladyslav Vanat of Dynamo Kyiv. I believe that Ukraine will win a tough match away to Bosnia. Ukraine simply have too much fire-power for Bosnia in my opinion and should win by a 1 or 2 goal margin away in Bosnia. My predicted starting line-ups: Bosnia & Herzegovina Vasilj Dedic -- Hadzikadunic -- Ahmedhodzic -- Kolasinac Pjanic -- Tahirovic Hamulic -- Krunic -- Demirovic Dzeko Subs: GK: Sehic, CD: Kovacevic, RB: Jusuf Gazibegovic, DM: Gojko Cimirot, CM: Huseinbasic, AM: Dal Varesanovic, FW: Tabakovic, FW: Prevljak Ukraine Trubin Konoplya -- Zabarnyi -- Matviyenko -- Mykolenko Sydorchuk Zubkov -- Zinchenko -- Sudakov -- Mudryk Dovbyk Subs: GK: Lunin, CD: Talovyerov, CD: Popov, CD: Bondar, LB: Mykhaylichenko, RB: Tymchyk, DM: Brazhko, CM: Malinovskyi, CM: Shaparenko, CM: Pikhalyonok, CM: Hutsulyak, FW: Yaremchuk, FW: Sikan, FW: Vanat Edited March 19 by Michael Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Posted March 19 Share Posted March 19 In the up-coming play-off matches I think the following: Path A Poland v Estonia: I think that Poland should defeat Estonia pretty easily. There should be a fair few goals in this match and playing at home in Warsaw should favour Poland even further. Wales v Finland: Wales should also edge Finland in my opinion. Both these sides played at Euro 2020, but I think Wales having home advantage in this game will see them advance to the play-off final. Path B Bosnia & Herzegovina v Ukraine: Ukraine to defeat Bosnia in this play-off match, as I mentioned earlier. It should be tough in Zenica, Bosnia, but Ukraine should end up winning by a 1 goal or 2 goal margin in the end by my estimation. Israel v Iceland: This should be a very tough game and this is one of the toughest to call really. I think this could well end up a draw and be decided in extra-time or go to penalties. This match is being held in Budapest, Hungary and I think I will tip Iceland to scrape through this one and advance to the play-off final. Path C Georgia v Luxembourg: This will be another very difficult match to call. Georgia's star player Kvaratskhelia of Napoli, is suspended for this match, which will be a huge blow for the home side. Georgia should still have a slight advantage, particularly because they will be playing at home, but Luxembourg have proven in the qualifiers that they are a very well organised side, that can be tough to open the scoring against. Despite this, I think that Georgia will probably edge this match by a single goal, but it will probably be very tough and close. Greece v Kazakhstan: Greece will desperately be looking to qualify for the Euros, a tournament they shocked the world by winning in 2004. 20 years later, they will hope to at least qualify for the tournament and have a respectable run in the competition once they have qualified. Kazakhstan have been a very tough national team to play against over the last 10 years and they have proven that they are no pushovers for anyone. They are very well organised and play very well as a unit. However, as Greece on paper seem to have the better players and the fact that Greece will be playing at home in Athens, I think Greece will win this one by a low and narrow score-line. I'll go for a 1-0 or 2-1 win for Greece here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Posted March 21 Share Posted March 21 (edited) Georgia have just beaten Luxembourg 2-0 in their play-off Euro Qualifier. Both of Georgia's goals were scored by their Karlsruhe striker Budu Zivzivadze. Georgia now advance to the play-off final where they will play either Greece or Kazakhstan. If Georgia manage to defeat Greece or Kazakhstan in the final, then they will qualify for their first ever European Championships in their history in Germany. Final score: Georgia 2-0 Luxembourg Goal scorer: Budu Zivzivadze 41st minute, Budu Zivzivadze 63rd minute. Edited March 21 by Michael Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Posted March 21 Share Posted March 21 The official line-ups are out for the Bosnia v Ukraine match in Zenica, Bosnia. Bosnia & Herzegovina FORMATION: 3-5-2 Sehic (Khaleej) Ahmedhodzic (Sheffield United) -- Hadzikadunic (Hamburg) -- Kolasinac (Atalanta) Dedic (RB Salzburg) -- Cimirot (Al-Fayha) -- Hajradinovic (Kasimpasa) -- Krunic (AC Milan) -- Gazibegovic (Sturm Graz) Dzeko (Fenerbace) -- Demirovic (Augsburg) Bosnia look to have selected a very experienced team. It looks like they will defend hard with their compact midfield and defence and look to release their forwards Demirovic and Dzeko on the counter attack. Ukraine FORMATION 4-2-3-1 Lunin (Real Madrid) Konoplya (Shakhtar Donetsk) -- Zabarnyi (Bournemouth) -- Matviyenko (Shakhtar Donetsk) -- Mykolenko (Everton) Brazhko (Dynamo Kyiv) -- Zinchenko (Arsenal) Zubkov (Shakhtar Donetsk) -- Sudakov (Shakhtar Donetsk) -- Mudryk (Chelsea) Dovbyk (FC Girona) Only one surprise change for me as far as Ukraine are concerned, as the young defensive midfielder Brazhko of Dynamo Kyiv is preferred to the much more experienced Sydorchuk. Zubkov replaces the injured Tsihankov on the right wing, but generally, I think this is possibly the strongest team available that the manager Rebrov could have gone for. It is also interesting to see Lunin chosen ahead of Benfica's Trubin in goal. Either way, this should be a very entertaining match, I can't wait. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Posted March 21 Share Posted March 21 Both defences have been holding firm in the opening quarter of an hour. Bosnia have probably edged it so far, but no clear chances so far. Demirovic has looked very lively. Bosnia 0-0 Ukraine Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Posted March 21 Share Posted March 21 (edited) David Brooks gave Wales a very early lead by scoring in the 3rd minute to put Wales ahead against Finland in Cardiff. Wales 1-0 Finland Edited March 21 by Michael Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Posted March 21 Share Posted March 21 Greece are cruising at home against Kazakhstan, as a penalty goal from Bakasetas gave them the lead and then Istanbul Basaksehir forward Pelkas scored their 2nd goal. This gave Greece a 2-0 lead after only 15 minutes played of the match. Greece 2-0 Kazakhstan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Posted March 21 Share Posted March 21 Lens winger Frankowski gave Poland the lead against Estonia after only 22 minutes play in Warsaw. Estonia's Grasshopper Zurich defender Paskotsi was then sent-off in the 27th minute, after receiving his 2nd booking of the match. Poland have controlled the match so far and with their man advantage, it looks like they are bound to score more goals. Poland 1-0 Estonia Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Posted March 21 Share Posted March 21 Ioannidis and Kourbelis have scored Greece's 3rd and 4th goals. Greece are cruising here in the 1st half against Kazakhstan. 4-0 up after only 40 minutes played is very impressive by them. Their home support are delighted with this result. Greece 4-0 Kazakhstan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Posted March 21 Share Posted March 21 Nottingham Forest player Neco Williams has scored Wales's 2nd goal against Finland in Cardiff. Wales 2-0 Finland Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Posted March 21 Share Posted March 21 Teemu Pukki has pulled a goal back for Finland against Wales just before half-time, as he has scored on 45 minutes. Wales 2-1 Finland Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Posted March 21 Share Posted March 21 An Eran Zahavi penalty gave Israel the lead against Iceland in Budapest, Hungary on 31 minutes. But Iceland responded well and equalised through Genoa forward Albert Gudmundsson in the 39th minute. Then Iceland went one better and took the lead in the 42nd minute, as IFK Norkopping midfielder, Arnor Traustason scored to give Iceland the lead. It was a great response from Iceland to take the lead, after going a goal down in this game of very high stakes. Lets see what the 2nd half has in store for us in this match. Israel 1-2 Iceland Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Posted March 21 Share Posted March 21 In Zenica, Bosnia, it's 0-0 at half-time between Bosnia and Ukraine. Ukraine controlled the last half hour of the 1st half and have had the bulk of possession, but Bosnia have arguably had the best chances in a match in which both sides are not giving much away. Hamburg defender Hadzikadunic had a header from a cross cleared off the line by Ukrainian defender Konoplya in the 37th minute. Moments later, Bosnia created a clever move as Kolasinac found Demirovic with a pass into the penalty area, Demirovic flicked the pass into the path of Dzeko in space, but Dzeko's shot rose above the cross-bar. Ukraine have had some half-chances, but the 1st half of this game was very physical and hard fought, with both sides not giving much away. The crowd have made their presence felt and that will please the Bosnian players as they seek to cause the upset here at home in Zenica. Half-Time score: Bosnia & Herzegovina 0-0 Ukraine Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Posted March 21 Share Posted March 21 Piotr Zielinski of Napoli has scored Poland's 2nd goal against Estonia in the 50th minute. Poland 2-0 Estonia Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Posted March 21 Share Posted March 21 Brennan Johnson has extended Wales's lead against Finland, as he scored Wales's 3rd goal at the start of the 2nd half in the 47th minute. Wales are now looking comfortable here in Cardiff, as they have been much the better side so far against Finland. Wales 3-1 Finland Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Posted March 21 Share Posted March 21 RB Salzburg's Amar Dedic has given Bosnia the lead in Zenica! Dedic's cross shot deflected off Matviyenko and found the back of the Ukrainian net. Bosnia take the lead in Zenica! Ukraine have to respond now and show some character! Bosnia 1-0 Ukraine Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Posted March 21 Share Posted March 21 Piotrowski scores Poland's 3rd goal! Poland 3-0 Estonia Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Posted March 21 Share Posted March 21 Ukraine have turned this match around in a matter of minutes!! The substitute Roman Yaremchuk equalised for Ukraine in the 85th minute and then star striker Artem Dovbyk scored the winner in the 88th minute! Ukraine now lead 2-1 in Bosnia! Bosnia 1-2 Ukraine Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Posted March 21 Share Posted March 21 Mudryk almost adds a third goal on the counter attack but his shot is deflected just wide of the post. Ukraine win as the final whistle is blown! Bosnia 1-2 Ukraine Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Posted March 21 Share Posted March 21 (edited) Rebrov bringing on Valencia forward Yaremchuk on as a substitute turned out to be an inspired move. Mudryk picked out Konoplya on the right wing with a superb long diagonal pass. Konoplya then crossed the ball low into the penalty area and Yaremchuk was on hand to sweep the ball into the corner of the net with a neat right footed shot. Then 3 minutes later in the 88th minute, Mykolenko picked out Yaremchuk out on the left wing with a through pass, Yaremchuk ran down the left wing, he then beat the defender Kovacevic and then delivered a beautiful cross for FC Girona's Dovbyk to score with a fine towering header. Dovbyk's header found the bottom hand corner of the net and it gave Ukraine the lead they were looking for. Ukraine did incredibly well to turn this match around, in intense conditions in Zenica. The Ukraine national team showed great character to win this match and to qualify for the final play-off match in the manner that they did. In fact, Ukraine could have added a 3rd goal right at the end of the match, but Mudryk's shot deflected off the Bosnian defender and went narrowly past the post for a corner. Prior to Ukraine's 2 goals, Mudryk forced a very good save from Bosnian keeper Sehic in the 77th minute with a long range shot, while at the other end, Lunin saved superbly from a Demirovic shot in the 82nd minute. Final score: Bosnia & Herzegovina 1-2 Ukraine Bosnia goal: Matviyenko own goal 56th minute. Ukraine goals: Roman Yaremchuk 85th minute, Artem Dovbyk 88th minute. Edited March 21 by Michael Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Posted March 21 Share Posted March 21 (edited) In Warsaw, Poland added 4th and 5th goals through an own goal by Karol Mets and a goal by Polish player Szymanski. Estonia scored a consolation goal in the 78th minute through Martin Vetkal. Final score: Poland 5-1 Estonia Poland goals: Frankowski 22nd minute, Zielinski 50th minute, Piotrowski 70th minute, Karol Mets own goal 74th minute, Szymanski 76th minute. Estonia goal: Martin Vetkal 78th minute. Edited March 21 by Michael Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Posted March 21 Share Posted March 21 (edited) Wales added a 4th goal in their match against Finland, as Daniel James scored in the 87th minute to make it 4-1 to Wales in Cardiff. Congratulations @Bluebird Hewitt for the dominant win in Cardiff! Next up for the Welsh national team is a play-off final match against Poland in Cardiff, to decide who goes to Euro 2024 in Germany. That match should be a real cracker! Final score: Wales 4-1 Finland Wales goals: David Brooks 3rd minute, Neco Williams 38th minute, Brennan Johnson 47th minute, Daniel James 87th minute. Finland goal: Teemu Pukki 45th minute. Edited March 21 by Michael Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Posted March 21 Share Posted March 21 (edited) Genoa's Albert Gudmundsson scored 2 more goals in the 2nd half to complete his hattrick! It was an incredible performance for Gudmundsson and Iceland, as they recovered from going a goal down to Israel in the 31st minute, to end up winning the match 4-1! It was an impressive and dominant performance by Iceland and Gudmundsson was clearly the man of the match. Final score: Israel 1-4 Iceland Israel goal: Eran Zahavi penalty goal 31st minute. Iceland goals: Albert Gudmundsson 39th minute, Arnor Traustason 42nd minute, Albert Gudmundsson 83rd minute, Albert Gudmundsson 87th minute. Edited March 21 by Michael Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Posted March 21 Share Posted March 21 (edited) A late 5th goal for Greece, through an own goal by Erkin Tapalov in the 86th minute made the final result an emphatic 5-0 win for Greece in Athens. This was an impressive performance by Greece in front of their home fans, the stadium was packed and they witnessed a star performance by the Greece national team in this match. Final score: Greece 5-0 Kazakhstan Greece goals: Bakasetas penalty goal 9th minute, Dimitrios Pelkas 15th minute, Fotis Ioannidis 37th minute, Dimitrios Kourbelis 40th minute, Erkin Tapavalov own goal 86th minute. Edited March 21 by Michael Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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