Damn, I was hoping Sweden would avoid the other two Nordics. :( Guess I'll be rooting for Sweden and Norway then.

Of those I'd like to see Ireland, Ukraine, Sweden & Norway to advance.

It's good that one of Norway or Hungary will qualify for a major tournament. The last time Norway qualified for a tournament was the 1998 World Cup and if Hungary make it then it will be their first tournament in decades.

Hungary through to their first tournament since the 1986 World Cup with a 3-1 win over Norway.

 

 

Republic Of Ireland have qualified for Euro 2016 which means that Scotland are the odd ones out as far as the home nations are concerned.

Fantastic night in Dublin - place was rocking!

The last time Norway qualified for a tournament was the 1998 World Cup

 

Norway was in the EURO 2000.

The Netherlands are out. Shocking considering the expanded format too, couldn't even manage a top half finish...

 

Another victim of the World Cup Third Place curse. Whenever an European team (except Germany) is third on a World Cup, they don't qualify for the following Euro Cup.

 

Portugal - 3rd in the 1966 World Cup > DNQ Euro 1968

Poland - 3rd in the 1974 and 1982 World Cups > DNQ Euro 1976 and 1984

France - 3rd in the 1986 World Cup > DNQ Euro 1988

Italy - 3rd in the 1990 World Cup > DNQ Euro 1992

Sweden - 3rd in the 1994 World Cup > DNQ Euro 1996

Croatia - 3rd in the 1998 World Cup > DNQ Euro 2000

Turkey - 3rd in the 2002 World Cup > DNQ Euro 2004

The Netherlands - 3rd in the 2014 World Cup > DNQ Euro 2016

 

Only Germany, who were 3rd in 1970 (West Germany), 2006 and 2010 have beaten the curse.

Edited November 21, 20159 yr by N-S

Wow that's a remarkable stat! Guess upon coming third they get complacent and think they can coast the qualifiers of next international tournament. Germany are ruthlessly efficient enough to not allow that to happen!

Norway was in the EURO 2000.

Oh yeah that's true. My bad.