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Ireland won't face Netherlands in the playoffs but we know the four nations we could face

Next year's European Championships will go on without the Netherlands after the Oranje lost their...



Ireland won't face Netherl...
Soccer

Ireland won't face Netherlands in the playoffs but we know the four nations we could face

Next year's European Championships will go on without the Netherlands after the Oranje lost their final qualifier 3-2 at home to Czech Republic and the Irish team have discovered their four potential playoff opponents: Sweden, Ukraine, Hungary and Bosnia.

The Dutch needed to win their final group game to have any chance of getting into a Euro 2016 playoff - coupled with a defeat for Turkey - but trailed 2-0 and failed to mount a successful comeback in the second half despite goals from Klaas Jan Huntelaar and Robin van Persie.

Meanwhile, Turkey took the final playoff place in Group A as they beat group runners up Iceland, who had already qualified, 1-0. But as the best third placed side, Turkey avoid a playoff altogether and go straight to France.

Wales, who had also already reached next year's tournament, finished off their group commitments with a 2-0 win at home to Andorra to finish second to Belgium in their group. Bosnia take the final playoff place in that group after beating Cyprus 3-2 away.

 

Norway missed out on automatic qualification after losing 2-1 in Italy, allowing Croatia to leapfrog them thanks to the Balkan nation's narrow 1-0 win in Malta.

Of course, there was some Irish interest tonight ahead of next month's playoffs but tonight's results confirm that Ireland will not be seeded and will face the following seeds (Sweden, Ukraine, Hungary, Bosnia) as confirmed by Irish Independent and Off The Ball's Daniel McDonnell:

 

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