UEFA EURO 2012 Play-off second leg round up

Portugal, Croatia, Czech Republic and Republic Ireland complete the Euro 2012 line-up.

The final four berths for Poland-Ukraine Euro 2012 were sealed after Portugal, Czech Republic, Croatia and Republic Ireland won their playoff matches. The four teams will now join with the hosts Poland and Ukraine and ten others – Denmark, England, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Netherlands, Russia, Spain and Sweden in the final round of the UEFA Euro 2012.

The 2004 runners up Portugal thrashed a spirited Bosnian side 6-2 at Lisbon to claim their ticket for Poland and Ukraine. The game was set for a tight finish after Zvjezdan Misimovic’s penalty cut short Portugal’s 2-0 lead at half time. Then Ronaldo made it 3-1 in 53’rd minute and Bosnia were down to ten men after Lazio’s left back Senad Lulic was shown two yellow cards in quick session. The captain Emir Spahic gave them hope by pulling one back in the 65’th minute.

But the home team scored three goals in ten minutes to win the match 6-2 in aggregate after the first leg ended in a goalless draw. Captain Cristiano Ronaldo and the striker Helder Postiga struck twice, while Manchester United midfielder Nani scored a screamer from 35 yards and Miguel Veloso too added a goal in his name. It’s the second time Portugal got the better of Bosnia in the play-offs as they defeated them in the World Cup 2010 Euro Play-off’s.

Croatia played out a goalless draw at home against Turkey to seal their place in Euro 2012 with a 3-0 win in aggregate. The tie was almost decided at Istanbul in the first leg when Croatia outplayed the Turks in all departments. Zagreb was no different as the home side dominated the match and apart from one or two efforts on goals Turks were never in the game. For their coach Gus Hiddink it will be a major disappointment after missing on the World Cup qualification with Russia two years back. But for Slaven Bilic it will be a moment to celebrate and sweet revenge for their loss in the Euro 2008 Quarter finals.

Czech Republic who took a 2-0 advantage in the first leg defeated Montenegro yet again to make their fourth successive entry in the competition. This time around it was the winger Petr Jiracek scored the winning goal nine minutes from time. The goalkeeper Petr Cech was the man of the match for the Czech side as his brilliance in front of goal denied the visitors on plenty of occasions. Montenegron will be rueing the missed chances in the second half. But the coach Branko Brnovic can be proud of his boy’s performance in their maiden European campaign.

Giovanni Trapattoni will be a happy man as Republic of Ireland ensured their place in the last 16 after securing a 1-1 draw with Estonia at Dublin. After securing a thumping 4-0 win in the first leg the ‘Men in Green’ took the lead at half time through the Wolves midfielder Stephen Ward. Estonia equalized just before the hour mark after Konstantin Vassiljev’s shot from distance went past the keeper Shay Given. But that was the last time the ball crossed the goaline in the match as Ireland held on to win the match 5-1 in aggregate. Republic of Ireland will be making a return to the competition after 24 years as they last qualified in 1988 at Germany. Meanwhile Estonia will be pleased with their performance as it’s their best ever performance in a European campaign.

The final draw for the Group Stage will be held at Kiev, Ukraine on December 2’nd.

EURO 2012 Play-Off Results

Portugal 6-2 (0-0, 6-2) Bosnia Herzegovina

Croatia 3-0 (0-3, 0-0) Turkey

Czech Republic 3-0 (2-0, 1-0) MontenegroRepublic of Ireland 5-1 (4-0, 1-1) Estonia