The model route for Swiss EURO 2025 – explainer on how Girls in Green can make next summer’s Euros

While the talk will turn to the new Swiss model being applied to the format of the men’s Champions League this season, in the women’s game it is all about qualification to the European Championship in Switzerland next summer.

Can the Republic of Ireland still qualify?

Despite finishing bottom of their four team qualifying group, the Girls in Green still have a route to EURO 2025.

In League A Group 3, they finished behind France, England and Sweden but as a team in the top league they were guaranteed entering the play-offs.

However, their win over table toppers France in Cork last Tuesday ensured they were seeded in the play-off draw.

So it is a straight forward, two legged play-off to qualify yeah?

Of course not!

UEFA don’t like a straightforward system when they can put in something complicated.

What is the play-off format then?

The first round of the play-offs is split into two paths. In one path, the teams finishing third and fourth in League A, including Ireland, play the five group winners and three best-ranked runners-up in League C. The eight winners progress to the second round.

In the other first round path, the four group winners and two best-ranked runners-up in League B will be drawn into six ties against the remaining two runners-up and four third-placed teams in League B. The six winners progress to the second round.

In the second round, the teams from both paths come together and will be drawn into seven ties, with seeding for the seven highest-ranked teams based on the European Qualifiers overall league rankings. The seven winners progress to the final tournament.

Who did Ireland get in the first round of the play-offs?

Ireland were drawn against League C opposition Georgia in the first round over two legs in October. They are ranked 119th in the world compared with Ireland who are 25.

Have we played Georgia before?

Yes we played them en-route to qualifying for the World Cup last year. The Girls in Green  beat them 11 – 0 (yes Eleven to nil) in Tallaght and 9-0 away from home.

Who will we play when we beat Georgia?

Ireland will play either Slovakia or Wales in the play-off final round – the winner goes to the Euros.

Both sides played their qualifiers in League B. Slovakia are ranked 50th in the world, while Wales are 31st.

In a friendly last February Ireland lost 2-0 to Wales. When they last played Slovakia, it was in the qualification group for the World Cup. The sides drew 1-1 in Dublin with Ireland winning 1-0 away from home.

What did Ireland boss Eileen Gleeson make of the draw?

“We now know our opponent for the Round 1 of the Qualifying Play-Off and we are looking forward to continuing on this journey in attempting to qualify for our first ever European Championships,” said Gleeson.

“Having completed a difficult Group stage, where we played three of the top six teams in the world, we have learned a lot and will be stronger for it. The target for us since last year, when we started with the UEFA Nations League, was always to qualify for EURO 2025; this is the next part of that.

“We will take confidence from our win over France in Cork but also from each of our six performances in the Group stage. It is important that we improve with each game if we are to compete at the top level of women’s football. And we will be ready for these Play-Offs.”

When are the play-offs?

The first round will take place in October with Ireland playing Georgia away on October 23rd and home in the second leg on October 29th.

The second round of the play-offs takes place on November 27th and December 3rd. As the seeded team, the Girls in Green will play the second leg at home.

Sinclair Armstrong on his Bristol City move: 'I think I can make a very big impact. I bring something different and I’m a player that comes short into feet, holds it up, runs in-behind, and scores goals.'https://t.co/94rjArr8tjhttps://t.co/0ebk4dVkh8

— extratime.com (@ExtratimeNews) July 20, 2024