[LiamTheBaggie]

Euro qualifying got started tonight.

Two of the three home nations played.

Northern Ireland got their first away win in four years to beat Hungary.

Scotland lost 2-1 in Germany in a game where I thought they deserved a point.

Wales play Albania away tomorrow.

[LiamTheBaggie]

By the way, you can keep your depressing England posts in the England thread. 

[royhan]

Euro qualifying got started tonight.

Two of the three home nations played.

Northern Ireland got their first away win in four years to beat Hungary.

Scotland lost 2-1 in Germany in a game where I thought they deserved a point.

Wales play Albania away tomorrow.

It's Andorra, not Albania - and it is on Tuesday, not tomorrow.

[WBArgo]

I believe Samaras started for Greece tonight so you'd expect him to be fit for Saturday - whether he plays a part though is another thing altogether.

[lewisant]

I believe Samaras started for Greece tonight so you'd expect him to be fit for Saturday - whether he plays a part though is another thing altogether.

Samaras went off at half time. Lets hope it was tactical or a precaution. Although choosing him to be a man that makes way at half time says he may not quite be 100%

[SmethDan]

Albania beat Portugal 1 nil.
 .

In Portugal.
 .

Gobsmacked.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/29105114

[hardtobeat]

Thought Morrison had a good game for Scotland. Played full 90 minutes and in his best position, as the most advanced of the midfield 3.

[LiamTheBaggie]

It's Andorra, not Albania - and it is on Tuesday, not tomorrow.

Not doing very well there, am I? 

[TheJacko2000]

Albania beat Portugal 1 nil.
 .

In Portugal.
 .

Gobsmacked.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/29105114

One man team ay they? Was Varela involved?

[SmethDan]

One man team ay they? Was Varela involved?

No chap, he stayed with the Albion to work on his fitness.

[SmethDan]

Northern Ireland got their first away win in four years to beat Hungary.

Just read that they were backed by 1,100 fans.
Fair play to them for keeping the faith and still following their team abroad after all that time.
 .

[LiamTheBaggie]

Just read that they were backed by 1,100 fans.
Fair play to them for keeping the faith and still following their team abroad after all that time.
 .

I watch Northern Ireland a lot and they're usually backed by large numbers like yesterday. Fans were borderline in tears at the end.

They have given themselves a great chance this campaign - they have the Faroes up next and its paramount they get the required points and make sure that yesterdays result was not just a flash in the pan. Also good to see Brunt and Baird in action who both had good games - Brunt figured at left back and did a solid job against a tricky wide man. McAuley also featured and looked his natural commanding self.

I was really staggered by how poor Hungary were.

[LiamTheBaggie]

Bale has equalised for Wales.

Yes, equalised.

They were losing 1-0 to Andorra. 

[Adder]

Bale himself just said that the pitch was worse than they were expecting 'bumpy and unbelievably slow'. Same for both sides but a huge leveller.
Ramsey and Allen were very ordinary - passing and touch football pretty impossible. Mr consistent Ashley Williams nearly slipped up a few times with the ball sticking under his feet.
A near disaster of a game averted.

[Atomic]

Bale himself just said that the pitch was worse than they were expecting 'bumpy and unbelievably slow'. Same for both sides but a huge leveller.
Ramsey and Allen were very ordinary - passing and touch football pretty impossible. Mr consistent Ashley Williams nearly slipped up a few times with the ball sticking under his feet.
A near disaster of a game averted.

I didn't see the game but that sounds great to me, just like the 70's and 80's. BRING THEM BACK!!!! 

[MarkW]

Iceland beat Turkey, Bosnia lost to Cyprus, Czech Republic beat Netherlands...quite a few upsets there.

[bagstaff]

Iceland beat Turkey, Bosnia lost to Cyprus, Czech Republic beat Netherlands...quite a few upsets there.

at least turkey had a player sent off, bosnia losing at home to cyprus is a bewildering as portugal;s result in many ways, and dare i say even at this stage , throws the group wide open for wales

[Atomic]

at least turkey had a player sent off, bosnia losing at home to cyprus is a bewildering as portugal;s result in many ways, and dare i say even at this stage , throws the group wide open for wales

Portugal are really poor. Take Ronaldo out and they have next to nothing. I don't expect them to be any threat to the best over the next four years or so.

[WBAinDEVON]

God Wales made hard work of beating Andora

[TheJacko2000]

3g pitch apparently didn't help them. But for me they've got no chance of qualifying. Having Bale and Ramsey is no different to having Rush and Hughes or Rush and Toshack or Rush, Saunders, Hughes and Giggs.

[tommcneill]

3g pitch apparently didn't help them. But for me they've got no chance of qualifying. Having Bale and Ramsey is no different to having Rush and Hughes or Rush and Toshack or Rush, Saunders, Hughes and Giggs.

Yeah agree, they have had some wonderful players in my time and before but they always lacked quality all over the pitch namely the defence.

In Bale and Ramsey though they have 2 players that would walk into our national team

[east-stand-nick]

Welsh fans invading the pitch after taking the lead against Andorra...and England fans are labelled "embarrassing"!

[ronnie_allen]

Welsh fans invading the pitch after taking the lead against Andorra...and England fans are labelled "embarrassing"!

Why are England fans labelled embarrassing. Not much I can think of in the last 20 years. Just the usual bigging up a team you support like every other nation, just with us Irish, Scots and Welsh peeping in and some reason expecting some higher standards. 

[WBAinDEVON]

Welsh fans invading the pitch after taking the lead against Andorra...and England fans are labelled "embarrassing"!

I think thay got a tad excited taking the lead over mighty Andorra and spilled over, i didnt see it has invading really

[Adder]

3g pitch apparently didn't help them. But for me they've got no chance of qualifying. Having Bale and Ramsey is no different to having Rush and Hughes or Rush and Toshack or Rush, Saunders, Hughes and Giggs.

I think that Bale is a more dominant player than any in the list you mention. I honestly think he could play any position on the pitch including centre back. In addition to his ability, his engine and athleticism put him clear of any of the others. With more teams going through this time, we certainly have a chance if Bale stays fit.