Northern Ireland Could Get a Second Shot at Euro 2008, Maybe

After a valiant but failed attempt at Euro 2008 qualification, Northern Ireland’s hopes of making the tournament are still alive (just about,) thanks to FIFA’s ongoing dissatisfaction with Spain. Basically the Spanish government is trying to force the Spanish Football Federation to hold early elections, so FIFA is threatening to ban Spain from international competition on grounds of government interference. And that includes this summer’s tournament.

Spain topped Euro 2008 Qualification Group F, with Sweden qualifying in second and Northern Ireland just missing out in third place. But if FIFA follow through and eliminate Spain that means everyone moves up a place, potentially allowing Northern Ireland to qualify in second place. Sounds a little odd, and if you’re Northern Irish it may sound a little too optimistic, but it’s not without precedent. When Yugoslavia was disqualified from Euro 92 following the Yugoslav Wars they were replaced by Denmark, who had finished just behind Yugoslavia in qualification and went on to win the whole shebang.

It’s more than likely that the Spanish government will make peace with FIFA. If the government’s actions saw Spain kicked out of Euro 2008, then they’d have to do a lot of explaining to some very unhappy citizens. But if this really happens it means that top scorer in Euro 2008 qualification David Healy (pictured) would get a chance at finding the net at the finals. More importantly, it would be Northern Ireland’s first trip to the European Championship finals, and their first trip to any major tournament since the 1986 World Cup.