There's no active conflict going on between them, so UEFA's hands are tied. There is one between Russia and Ukraine, for example, so they have be kept in separate groups.

 

There's no open war but saying there's no active conflict between them blatantly disregards what happenned with Kosovo. It will take a couple more decades for the Serbian wounds over that to heal especially when there is a drone over the stadium mocking them about it.

Leaving them in the same group was asking for trouble. If UEFA did not recognise that then it is really run by idiots.

http://www.espnfc.com/netherlands/story/2133716/coach-guus-hiddink-says-hell-quit-if-netherlands-lose-to-latvia-in-euro-2016-qualifying

 

 

 

"If we lose, it makes sense that I leave."

 

There's no open war but saying there's no active conflict between them blatantly disregards what happenned with Kosovo. It will take a couple more decades for the Serbian wounds over that to heal especially when there is a drone over the stadium mocking them about it.

Leaving them in the same group was asking for trouble. If UEFA did not recognise that then it is really run by idiots.

 

There are different situations between Spain and Gibraltar, Armenia and Azerbaijan, Russia and Ukraine, and Serbia and Albania. With the first two, there are still disputes over territory and borders, respectively. This means that it wouldn't be a good idea for them to be up against one another. In Russia and Ukraine, it's just this side of open warfare, so it's definitely not a good idea for them to be in the same group.  It's gone so far as to keep Ukrainian and Russian clubs separate in the Champions/Europa Leagues. However, with Serbia and Albania, they felt the problem was solved after Kosovo was granted independence. Also, since Kosovo is not a member of FIFA (or in that case, UEFA, correct me if I'm wrong), there wouldn't be a problem. Rather naive if you ask me.

big night for Scotland and wee Northern Ireland on a great run...looking for good results tonight

C'mon Faroe Islands!!!!

I just watched Serbia surrender a 1-goal lead  to Denmark due to 2 comical defending errors. I have to say, as good as Brana and Matic are for us, they become mediocre for their country. Both goals due to their mistakes.

Thrilling stuff this Scotland v Ireland match.

We're on the brink of defeating the mighty Finland with a late goal. Time to crack open a pálinka 

If fans would behave themselves, then maybe we wouldn't have these problems. A lot of them (if not all of them) are adults, so they should know not to make fools of themselves in public. That's what really makes me mad-they should know better.

 

It's only a game, it's nothing to start a riot and hurt others over.  You're supposed to have fun, not worry that a riot is going to break out because someone decides that they want to be funny and pull a stupid stunt like that.

 

I am sorry to generalize, but that is a comment that can only be expressed by a woman. Men, especially young men, and especially young men from my part of the world (the Balkans) see football as something much more than a game. Here football is heavily linked with politics, nationalism and a very macho sense of honour and respect. There are plenty of people who do not go to a match to see the game, but to sing their heart out and one up the opposition fans. It is very war-like - indeed I remember the first time I was in "noise" section of a stadium being struck at how much those around me looked like an army. There is an ugly side of it, which I hate - violence, homophobia, mysogeny, racism, politicization of teams. For many of these men, causing any sort of trouble is not outside the realms of possibility - as matter of fact, it is something often found in the songs they bellow.

 

So there are men, who take their football as an extension of other societal issues. What happened on that night was a sad, but predictable example of unresolved issues and old hatreds.The independence of Kosovo, whatever its merits, has left a very deep wound in the minds of many Serbs and it would never take much to incite these men. The guy who flew the drone must have known exactly what the consequences would have been. There are few innocent sides in this, but he is the biggest moron of them all.

I am sorry to generalize, but that is a comment that can only be expressed by a woman. Men, especially young men, and especially young men from my part of the world (the Balkans) see football as something much more than a game. Here football is heavily linked with politics, nationalism and a very macho sense of honour and respect. There are plenty of people who do not go to a match to see the game, but to sing their heart out and one up the opposition fans. It is very war-like - indeed I remember the first time I was in "noise" section of a stadium being struck at how much those around me looked like an army. There is an ugly side of it, which I hate - violence, homophobia, mysogeny, racism, politicization of teams. For many of these men, causing any sort of trouble is not outside the realms of possibility - as matter of fact, it is something often found in the songs they bellow.

So there are men, who take their football as an extension of other societal issues. What happened on that night was a sad, but predictable example of unresolved issues and old hatreds.The independence of Kosovo, whatever its merits, has left a very deep wound in the minds of many Serbs and it would never take much to incite these men. The guy who flew the drone must have known exactly what the consequences would have been. There are few innocent sides in this, but he is the biggest moron of them all.

Great insight

Ranieri sacked as Greece manager after they lost at home to the Faroe Islands. 

International football these days makes me ------>

Look at the state of the Wembley pitch, what idiot thinks it's a good idea to use the stadium for other Sports just before an England football match takes place ?

I just watched Serbia surrender a 1-goal lead  to Denmark due to 2 comical defending errors. I have to say, as good as Brana and Matic are for us, they become mediocre for their country. Both goals due to their mistakes.

 

I don't think they care that much for the national team and it seems to be an issue for most players representing Serbia (also Croatia and Bosnia). Their making millions for their clubs, and I think they don't want to get mixed-up in the atmosphere that reigns with the national sides in the Balkans. Most of the players that have talent, only look for the quickest way to get out.

 

I was visiting family in Bosnia this summer, and one of our family friends works as a scout for a premier division side. His rundown of the affairs is that most clubs get a player or two a year they look to move up to a higher division to make them money. Football is now an afterthought in most of the leagues in the Balkans, finding the next Modric or Dzeko and to sell him for millions is the ultimate goal. Honestly I don't really blame them either, most of the people that love the sport have not been to a game in a long while because they don't want to deal with what happens at the games. 

Look at the state of the Wembley pitch, what idiot thinks it's a good idea to use the stadium for other Sports just before an England football match takes place ?

This would have been the ideal opportunity for those clueless clods at the FA to have given fans in another part of the country a chance to watch the national side in a competitive match. Old Trafford, Anfield, St James Park or even one of the other London venues would have provided a much better playing surface for the rest of the world to watch England play a vital qualifying match instead of disgracing the nation by letting the sides play on something resembling a cabbage patch.!!! and then we have the gall to criticize some of the smaller countries for the state of THEIR pitches !!!!!

Yawn.

Wellbeck scores a Ba-esque goal.

#HodgsonOut

Gibbs ahead of Bertrand in the England pecking order is a crime against Football.

Lovely self-trip from Rooney. What a leader, an example, our captain. 

Gibbs ahead of Bertrand in the England pecking order is a crime against Football.

 

I don't think there's much in it. They've both been in good form for their club this season but Gibbs has been given the nod as he plays for Arsenal. 

England finally wake up after going behind. A decent goal there from Welbeck.

I don't think there's much in it. They've both been in good form for their club this season but Gibbs has been given the nod as he plays for Arsenal. 

 

Gibbs is playing for a side that can't defend or keep a clean sheet and he doesn't exactly offer much going forward either. Bertrand is part of a team who so far are the best defensive side in the Premier League, and Bertrand has looked better going forward. The choice is easy, Bertrand is a better player who is playing better football for a side who is in better form. Bertrand right at this minute is Englands best LB and it's getting completely ignored. He isn't the first England footballer to suffer from this since Hodgson came in, if you don't have any hype from the media then Hodgson ignores you, it's like Hodgson doesn't even watch football.

Edited November 15, 201411 yr by Scott Harris

No more international breaks until March after this

 

:D

Wilshere is a talented player, he is much better used in a support role, he just isn't an attacking player. Why Wenger keeps persisting it when he actually needs less attackers and more supportive players just shows how overrated Wenger is.

 

Wilshere was the main lead up to scoring our first goal and was solid all game I would say besides one time were he slipped. Conveniently bringing me on to talk of Gerrard, It's much better having someone in that role than Gerrard who just f**king hoofs the ball up once every 5 minutes.