Quiet start to what will be a thrilling event
I CAN’T see you channel hoppers dwelling for long on Sky Sports 3 on Thursday night.
The Euro 2016 playoffs should, by rights, be thrill-a-minute, seat-of-the-pants stuff as eight countries go hammer and tongs for the last four places in next summer’s finals.
But Norway versus Hungary? I’m struggling to think of too many reasons to stick around for this one, especially as I’m going to have a punt on no goalscorer.
The seedings suggest Hungary should be jollies and I’ve clocked that ahead of the last two major finals, seven of the eight seeds won through the playoffs. Bear that in mind.
But the Norwegians finished a close third behind Italy and Croatia; Hungary were a close third behind Northern Ireland and Romania. I’m inclined to think the Norwegian effort was the better one.
Oslo will be buzzing (as only Oslo can) though there’s no way it’s going to be a fun affair.
Norway have kept four clean sheets in their last four home games, Hungary will be there looking for a 0-0 draw. Seven of their nine qualifiers produced two goals or less.
It comes to something when you’re actually pining for an Ireland international to alleviate the tedium.
