North Macedonia vs England - KO @ 7:45pm (C4) - Living in a Dion Dublin World!!

“Never heard of him”

Alexander-Arnold is wearing number 10. We deserve to lose.

Poor old Kalvin Phillips can't get a game anywhere

Manic_mania said:

Callumcafc said:

A point for England tonight would guarantee our place in Pot 1 for next month’s draw, meaning we would avoid Germany, France, Spain, Belgium and Portugal in the group stage.

so potentially the 2 previous finalists could not even be seeded then?

Yeah as far as I understand it, it’s all based on performance in the qualifying group - France and Portugal have won every game (0pts dropped), Spain have lost once (3pts dropped) and Belgium drawn twice (4pts dropped). Additionally you need to win your group to be in Pot 1.

Manic_mania said:

Callumcafc said:

Manic_mania said:

Callumcafc said:

A point for England tonight would guarantee our place in Pot 1 for next month’s draw, meaning we would avoid Germany, France, Spain, Belgium and Portugal in the group stage.

so potentially the 2 previous finalists could not even be seeded then?

Yeah as far as I understand it, it’s all based on performance in the qualifying group - France and Portugal have won every game (0pts dropped), Spain have lost once (3pts dropped) and Belgium drawn twice (4pts dropped). If England had beaten Ukraine last month instead of drawing, they would already have been guaranteed Pot 1.

Assume it’s done that way to keep the top teams focused on winning games until the end of the qualifying stage…

(And Germany are of course in there automatically as hosts.)

would I be right in thinking that potentially if Italy finish third tonight that the champions would be in pot 3?

The draw is happening next month before the playoffs next year, so all playoff teams will be assigned to Pot 4 as “Path A/B/C winner” which Team A could be Italy, Poland, Croatia, Wales etc.

If Italy win tonight, it’s very likely they’d be in Pot 3.

Callumcafc said:

Manic_mania said:

Callumcafc said:

Manic_mania said:

Callumcafc said:

A point for England tonight would guarantee our place in Pot 1 for next month’s draw, meaning we would avoid Germany, France, Spain, Belgium and Portugal in the group stage.

so potentially the 2 previous finalists could not even be seeded then?

Yeah as far as I understand it, it’s all based on performance in the qualifying group - France and Portugal have won every game (0pts dropped), Spain have lost once (3pts dropped) and Belgium drawn twice (4pts dropped). If England had beaten Ukraine last month instead of drawing, they would already have been guaranteed Pot 1.

Assume it’s done that way to keep the top teams focused on winning games until the end of the qualifying stage…

(And Germany are of course in there automatically as hosts.)

would I be right in thinking that potentially if Italy finish third tonight that the champions would be in pot 3?

The draw is happening next month before the playoffs next year, so all playoff teams will be assigned to Pot 4 as “Path A/B/C winner” which Team A could be Italy, Poland, Croatia, Wales etc.

Thanks Cal. That is a pretty crazy scenario.

It didn't used to be like that did it? Or am I imagining it ? I may be misremembering but didn't previous tournament performance used to factor into seeding?

actually maybe i'm thinking of qualification group seeding 

Manic_mania said:

Callumcafc said:

Manic_mania said:

Callumcafc said:

Manic_mania said:

Callumcafc said:

A point for England tonight would guarantee our place in Pot 1 for next month’s draw, meaning we would avoid Germany, France, Spain, Belgium and Portugal in the group stage.

so potentially the 2 previous finalists could not even be seeded then?

Yeah as far as I understand it, it’s all based on performance in the qualifying group - France and Portugal have won every game (0pts dropped), Spain have lost once (3pts dropped) and Belgium drawn twice (4pts dropped). If England had beaten Ukraine last month instead of drawing, they would already have been guaranteed Pot 1.

Assume it’s done that way to keep the top teams focused on winning games until the end of the qualifying stage…

(And Germany are of course in there automatically as hosts.)

would I be right in thinking that potentially if Italy finish third tonight that the champions would be in pot 3?

The draw is happening next month before the playoffs next year, so all playoff teams will be assigned to Pot 4 as “Path A/B/C winner” which Team A could be Italy, Poland, Croatia, Wales etc.

Thanks Cal. That is a pretty crazy scenario.

It didn't used to be like that did it? Or am I imagining it ? I may be misremembering but didn't previous tournament performance used to factor into seeding?

actually maybe i'm thinking of qualification group seeding 

The draw for Euro 2020 was the same way, at least. 

Manic_mania said:

Bailey said:

Any cash for Charlton if Konsa plays ? 

I don't think so I assume that clause went when he left Brentford

I'll put me straws away then Manic, they weren't worth clutching anyway. 

Bailey said:

Manic_mania said:

Bailey said:

Any cash for Charlton if Konsa plays ? 

I don't think so I assume that clause went when he left Brentford

I'll put me straws away then Manic, they weren't worth clutching anyway. 

I only know because I was clutching myself til I looked it up the other day mate lol

honestly not even certain it would have been a clause in the deal with Brentford in the first place at the time

Let’s just pray Harry Kane stays fit eh 

Passing much better tonight.

Feel like Watkins will suffer from the Vardy syndrome for england. The pace and way we play just doesn’t suit that style of striker.

Maguire a lucky boy there 

Don’t think that was a pen but have seen them given for less 

Is anyone able to remove Dion Dublin from co-commentary please?

And that was a pen.