We can do this...

So the draw for the 2010 FIFA World Cup playoffs in the European region happened earlier this week in Zurich. As explained in an earlier post, there were eight groups, the winners have all booked their tickets already. The runners up, are in these playoffs. The eight teams were:

Seeded Teams Unseeded Teams

Portugal Ireland

France Slovenia

Russia Bosnia and Herzegovina

Greece Ukraine

The draw shook down like this:

France v. Ireland

Portugal v. Bosnia and Herzegovina

Russia v. Slovenia

Greece v. Ukraine

Portgual and Russia should get through easily. Greece and the Ukraine will be ridiculously boring, but I see Greece pulling it out.

The really interesting match up is Ireland vs. France. 

On paper, us Irish are screwed. France have a team full of world stars and should win. The good thing is, the game isn't played on paper. 

France hate their manager. Ireland's players treat theirs like he is their father.

France have discontent within their team. Ireland are united.

French fans are fickle and likely to boo their own team if things don't go well. Irish supporters will back them forever.

This is a classic matchup of glitz vs. grit. The French have flair, flash and skill. The Irish have heart, guts and determination. Which one will win out? Well we will have to wait and see.

But the Irish should go in with confidence. It's not impossible. They can do this.