No more vacancies. The last 4 places in UEFA Euro 2012 are defined

       Montenegro vs. Czech Republic

               After a 2-0 victory at home in the 1st match, Czech Republic confirmed their favouritism and qualified after an away 1-0 victory over Montenegro, in Podgorica. In the 2nd leg, after a boring 1st half, Montenegro went to attack in a very emphatic behavior, but they lost a plenty of goals all over late time, and in a counter-attack, Petr Jiracek scored the winning-goal, qualifying Czech Republic for the 5th UEFA Euro in a row. Since they got separate from Slovakia, they were never absent from the main stage of the continental tournament. But the most emotive moment was the end of the match. Even losing the match, the supporters of Montenegro screamed out encouraging and proudly singing emotional songs and flying flags for the team, because the young country with 625.000 inhabitants achieved more than what was expected from them during the tournament.


Petr Jiráček (Czech Republic)

Petr Jiráček (L) of Czech Republic celebrates after scoring the opening goal during the UEFA EURO 2012 play-off second leg against Montenegro. SITE: UEFA.com 

Tuesday 15 November 2011 23.23CET©Getty Images



      Croatia vs. Turkey

               Croatia confirmed their huge advantage, after a 3-0 away  victory, and qualified for Poland/Ukraine 2012. The match was in Zagreb, and ended goalless.


Croatia players celebrate

Croatia players celebrate qualification after their UEFA EURO 2012 play-off second leg against Turkey. SITE: UEFA.com 

Tuesday 15 November 2011 23.58CET©Getty Images


     Rep. Ireland vs. Estonia

               Ireland made the obvious. After a 4-0 away victory in Tallin, The Celts drew at home 1-1 after the end of the 2nd half. Stephen Ward opened the scoreboard for Ireland, and Konstantin Vassiljev drew things level at late time for the Estonians.

      Portugal vs. Bosnia-Herzegovina

                The best was reserved for the last (but not the least match). In the only clash whose 1st leg was stalemate, Portugal assured their ticket to Eastern Europe next year with a great exhibition over Bosnia-Herzegovina, at Estádio da Luz, in Lisbon. When both teams are eager to attack in a football match, we see plenty of goals, and when the strongest team (in this case, Portugal) have one more man on the pitch (The Bosnian Lulic was sent-off in the 55th minute), things got calmer and Portugal scored 6-2 over the Bosnian side. Cristiano Ronaldo (FIFA Golden Ball award in 2008), scored twice, Hélder Postiga also made a brace, Nani and Miguel Veloso completed the scoresheet for the talented Portuguese squad. Misimovic, in a penalty kick, and Spahic, scored for the Bosnians.


Cristiano Ronaldo & Nani (Portugal)

Cristiano Ronaldo (L) and Nani of Portugal celebrate a goal during the UEFA EURO 2012 play-off second leg against Bosnia and Herzegovina . 16 November 2011 ©Getty Images. SITE: UEFA.com

        No matter the groups to be drawed next month, Spain, Germany and the Netherlands are the favourites for this tournament next year. Sweden, England and France are the "outsiders", trying to spark a surprise in Poland and Ukraine next summer.

                QUALIFIED TEAMS FOR POLAND/UKRAINE 2012

Poland & Ukraine (co-hosts), Germany, Italy, England, Netherlands, Sweden, Greece, Spain, Russia, Denmark, France, Czech Republic, Republic of Ireland, Croatia, Portugal

          The draw for the group stage is scheduled on December 2, in Kyiv.