Russia: Soccer Team Qualifies for Euro 2012 – “On To Ukraine and Poland!!!” · Global Voices
Russia officially qualified for Euro 2012 when they finished at the top of their group with a 6-0 win over Andorra on October 11, 2011. The 2012 UEFA European Football Championship is referred to by some as ‘Polkraine 2012′ since it will be held in both Poland and Ukraine.
Citizen media has captured the popular perception of the qualifying round as well as efforts made toward ensuring the proper facilitation of the tournament. <PERSON> posted a Promo for Euro 2012 on a Kiev Dinamo blog, which gets across the intensity and exhilaration the European continent experiences through international soccer tournaments (click here to view).
UEFA Euro 2012 mascots – <PERSON> and <PERSON>. Photo by <PERSON> (CC BY 3.0)
World Cup Blog described the rules of the tournament as well as the schedules of the matches in Group B, Russia's group, in a post from July 3, 2010:
Group B for Euro 2012 qualifying will be contested between the following teams: Russia, Slovakia, Ireland, Macedonia, Armenia, and Andorra, with the group winner qualifying automatically and the second place finisher entering the playoff round unless they are the highest ranked second placed finisher, which also qualifies automatically.
After this year's September 6 match, when Russia tied Ireland 0-0,World Cup Blog provided this analysis:
Anyway, Russia had a frustrating time in Moscow as they were held to a 0-0 draw by the Republic of Ireland. Russia dominated the game but simply could not find the break through. 910
<PERSON> was the strong point while Ireland had no attacks and were almost completely on the back foot. The result keeps Russia in first place ahead of Ireland, Armenia, and Slovakia.
Russian fans commented on the analysis given on the Ireland match on the Russian-language news portal, Football Russia:
seens72: Жаль что не забили… Столько ОПАСНЫХ ситуаций и НЕТ голов! Но игра мне понравилась)
A pity they didn't score… So many DANGEROUS situations and NO goals! But I liked the game)
<PERSON>: Удачи России в следующих матчах !!! Русские выйдут с первого места !!! Россия вперед на Украину и Польшу !!! )
Good luck to Russia in the future games!!! Russia will qualify from the first place!!! Russia, on to Ukraine and Poland!!!
After the October 7 match between Russia and Slovakia, World Cup Blog had this to say:
All Russian fans now know that their team almost have one foot in the finals. After defeating Slovakia 1-0 through <PERSON> long range goal, Russia are now in first place with 20 points and a draw at home to Andorra will confirm a ticket to Poland and Ukraine. In what was a nervous buildup, Russia started very strongly and dominated most of the match. Slovakia found it difficult to find a footing but did have a few sporadic attacks forcing critical saves from <PERSON>.
And, as expected, comments made on Football Russia's analysis of this match were more enthusiastic as the article focused on the 71st minute when Russia was finally able to capitalize on a scoring opportunity.
Rusik: Че несете “че на евро нам делать ” ? Выигрывать ! Россия чемпион )))
What do you mean, “we've got nothing to do with Euro”? We've got to win! 910