EURO 2016

In any case, a heroic performance from the Republic of Ireland. It’s their first ever competitive win over Germany. They were outplayed for long periods and it looked like they were going to get walloped in the first 20 minutes. Yet they knuckled down and the longer the game stayed goalless, the more their belief grew and the more you suspected they might be able to nick a goal - and so it proved, Shane Long coming off the bench to score the winner. All that possession from Germany, all those misses, all those crosses, and all it took to settle the match was one long punt from Darren Randolph. It sure is a funny old game! Thanks for reading and emailing. Night.

Germany are top with 19 points and play Georgia on Sunday. They will expect to win. Poland are locked on 18 points apiece. They drew 1-1 when they met in Dublin. Ireland will be certain of qualifying if they win in Warsaw and a 2-2 draw or more would mean they finish above Poland. If Poland and Ireland draw, Germany would finish third if they lose to Georgia. I think. This is all very convoluted.
Ireland and Poland are both assured of a play-off place at least and will fight it out for the last automatic spot in Warsaw on Sunday. Everyone’s happy! Except for Scotland. They’re out. And except for Germany. They need a point to be sure they’re going to be sure of an automatic place. They have an inferior head to head record against both Poland and Ireland.