Euros

Republic of Ireland vs Bosnia-Herzegovina | EURO 2016 Playoff 1st Leg

Bilino Polje, Zenica, Bosnia

Friday, November 13th, 2:30 PM ET | ESPN 2 

Just due west of where the River Liffey enters the Irish Sea runs O’Connell Street. Heading north across the granite and portland stones of the O’Connell Bridge, connecting the North and Southsides of Dublin, your vision becomes dominated by a nearly 400-foot stainless steel pin rising and merging into the Dublin sky.

It would be disastrous if the Netherlands didn’t qualify for the UEFA Euro 2016 in France. But, with only two games before the end of qualifying group stages, the Dutch National team sits fourth in their group, trailing Iceland, the Czech Republic and Turkey. What should have been a winnable group and a doable job proved more difficult than expected.

Iceland’s win over Holland last Thursday at Amsterdam Arena was the most surprising result of the day in Euro 2016 qualifying.

Their draw with Kazakhstan Sunday was less surprising, but more important in terms of what it directly led to.

Iceland’s national team has qualified for a European Championship for the first time ever.

The island nation nearly qualified for the 2014 World Cup road but lost in the playoffs against Croatia and failed to get its ticket to Brazil.

I will admit it. The first international break of the season is usually a huge drag.  The transfer window has finally closed, clubs are finding their footing, and I have finally figured out my optimal fantasy starting XI.  At this point, I don’t want the world’s best spread out to the four corners of the world to play in meaningless games. BUT, this international break is different.