EURO 2012 – Qualifying draw

February 7th, 2010 | by: HJ | Comments(1)

Norway was today grouped with Portugal, Denmark, Iceland and Cyprus. A tough group, but also one we have every chance to qualify from. Portugal are favourites to win this group, but struggled remarkably in their last qualifier. In the same group then were Denmark, who beat the Iberians for the top spot and automatic qualification for South Africa 2010. The Danes are a strong collective with key players in every area, but still a team we can pull up with on a good day. We are also paired against Iceland, who we also played in the recent qualifying campaign. Despite being a very small nation, Iceland has produced some very good players up through the years. Eidur Gudjohnsen and Barnsley wideman Emil Halfredsson have the capabilities of causing problems for both Denmark, Portugal and ourselves. Cyprus should be a walk in the park for us, but contrary to both Norway, Denmark and Iceland they actually managed to get a team into this year’s Champions League campaign. It would be silly to underestimate them, especially away from home.

If Norway should have any chance of qualifying, our key players must be in good form. At the moment, John Arne Riise seems to be on the top of his game for Italian side AS Roma. The left back is without a shadow of doubt our most consistent player, and probably the best left back in the world right now. John Carew, our star striker, has been poor for Aston Villa so far this season. He has been ridden by injuries and is currently not a first choice striker for his club. He has to improve and start getting goals to his name, if we are to succeed in the future. Brede Hangeland, our captain and central defender, hasn’t been near the standards which made him one of the best defenders in the Premier League last season. Still he continues to be a vital part of Roy Hodgon’s Fulham team, and naturally also a very important figure for his country. Morten Gamst Pedersen has been heavily criticised at times, but the left winger is actually doing quite well for Sam Allardyce’s Blackburn Rovers at the moment. He’s picked himself up, created some goals and scored a few, earning his place back into the first team. Long may it continue. Norway relies heavily upon him and Riise producing danger from the left side of the pitch.

Norwegian pundits are, like me, reasonably satisfied with the draw. A 2nd place seems most realistic, but we can easily end up as group winners or with nothing in third place. Exciting times ahead.