By Andrew Warshaw
October 13 – Two years after being dealt the cruellest of blows by Thierry Henry’s infamous handball, Lady Luck at last shone on the Republic of Ireland today when they were handed by far the easiest pairing in the Euro 2012 play-offs following the draw in Krakow.
The Republic will face unheralded Estonia in the two-legged encounter and have the luxury of playing the second leg at home.
The playoffs, which take place on November 11 and 12, with the return legs on November 15, also see Turkey up against Croatia, the Czech Republic taking on Montenegro and Portugal – surprisingly pipped by Denmark for an automatic place – up against Bosnia and Herzegovina in what is arguably the hardest tie to call.
Estonia have never reached the finals of a major tournament, and this is Tarmo Rüütli’s side’s first play-off appearance.
They finished 10 points behind group winners Italy in qualifying, with six of their points coming courtesy of wins over Northern Ireland.
The Republic have only reached the European Championship finals once before, in West Germany in 1988.
Their last playoff appearance ended in acrimony when they were knocked out by France following Henry’s handball in a bid to reach the 2010 World Cup.
Already through to the finals, alongside co-hosts Poland and Ukraine, are Spain, Germany, Russia, Italy, France, Holland, Greece, England, Denmark and Sweden.
The finals draw is on 2 December in Kiev.
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