There Is No Tallin What Will Happen In Play-Off

Giovanni Trapattoni and the Republic of Ireland at 12 this afternoon learned who they will face in the all important play-off to reach next years European Championship. The boys in green will face Estonia with the second leg at home in the Aviva Stadium on November 15th.

All afternoon on social network sites Twitter and Facebook, people have expressed their satisfaction with todays draw with many saying it was exactly the draw we wanted, but for Estonia they will be looking at it the same way as they will feel chuffed they managed to avoid Portugal, The Czechs and Croatia.

Giovanni Trapattoni will know he cant ride on any more ‘luck’ after Tuesdays controversial 2-1 win over Armenia in Dublin and that a much better performance similar to that night in Paris will be needed in order to; (A) Secure Irelands first qualification to a major tournament since 2002 and (B) Earn himself a brand new contract with the Football Association.

The Estonians, who technically ended Nigal Worthingtons reign as Northern Ireland manager with easy home and away wins in the qualifying campaign will be out to end another managers reign while sealing themselves qualification, although during the campaign they did lose to Brian Kerrs minnows the Faroe Islands. In the past Ireland have faced Estonia and beaten them during the Mick McCarthy reign but that will mean nothing come November.

Republic of Ireland manager Giovanni Trapattoni said, ‘It is extremely positive for Ireland that we will play the first leg away. We should not underestimate our opposition, or any team, including Estonia, to have made it through to the play-off, they must have quality and mental sortitude. Our build up to this stage of the competition has shown us the importance of organisation, attention to detail, and self-belief. That will be vitally important to us as we prepare for these games in November.’

In an email this afternoon the FAI said the Estonian FA were meeting to decide on the amount of tickets will go to Irish fans and will confirm it at a later date. In terms of getting there, the match will be in Tallin and “low fairs” airline Ryanair provide a direct link from Dublin to Tallin.  Shamrock Rovers, during their qualification campaign for the Champions League travelled there and sources close to Sportspeak say it will be played exactly where Rovers played,in the  A.Le Coq Arena.

Fans may have to dig extra deep into their pockets though in order to make the trip, at the time of the draw a return flight from Dublin would have cost you €150, since then prices have sky rocketed and the last time checked flights had gone up as far as €350, At those prices for flights alone you would expect not alot of Irish would travel, leaving the tie in the Aviva sold out, but the advice from us is to go through a travel agent rather than the airline itself as they might be able to get you a good deal with the all important match ticket thrown in.

EURO 2012 Play-off Draw in full:

Estonia vs Republic of Ireland

Czech Republic vs Montenegro

Bosnia/Herzegovina vs Portugal

Turkey vs Croatia

Daniel "Pitchside" Pitcher Twitter: @DanFM104Sport About: Dan "Pitchside" Pitcher provides insight and commentary as the chief soccer and rugby correspondent for Sportspeak.