Euro 2016 play-offs draw: Republic of Ireland draw Bosnia

Sam Barnard, Assistant Sports Editor | October 18, 2015

Euro 2016 play-offs draw

Norway v Hungary – Nov 12th (20:45) and 15th (20:45)
Bosnia & Herzegovina v Republic of Ireland – Nov 13th (20:45) and 16th (20:45)
Ukraine v Slovenia – November 14th (18:00) and 17th (20:45)
Sweden v Denmark – Nov 14th (20:45) and 17th (20:45)

PLAY-OFF DRAW RESULT: Which four teams will reach #EURO2016? Why? Have your say! pic.twitter.com/TbNRladl8T

— UEFA EURO 2016 (@UEFAEURO) October 18, 2015

Ireland face tough test against Bosnia

The much-awaited Euro 2016 play-offs draw has now been announced, and the highlight fixtures are between Bosnia & Herzegovina and Republic of Ireland, while there is an all-Scandinavian clash as Sweden take on Denmark.

Meanwhile, Ukraine face Slovenia and Norway are against Hungary in the other two duels that will all take place in mid-November.

While Ireland will have been happy to avoid the Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s Swedes, they were then handed Bosnia, who were the only nation of the above eight that qualified for the 2014 World Cup finals.

However, the Green Army (11/10 with Coral to qualify for the finals) have won their only battle with the Dragons, which finished 1-0.

Martin O’Neill will likely have to come through this double header without Shane Long, who hit a recent winner against world champions Germany, though, with the striker suffering an ankle injury.

At least one Scandinavian nation to reach Euro 2016

Sweden v Denmark represents one of the most regularly played fixtures in international football, with the duo set now for their 105th and 106th meeting.

The Blue-Yellow hold a slight 45-40 win advantage over their near Scandinavian neighbours, and their national captain Ibrahimovic is certainly confident of qualifying for the France finals next summer.

“I don’t want to miss Euro 2016, for me it’s unimaginable to see this tournament without me,” the PSG star stated.

Can Ukraine gain revenge on Slovenia?

Ukraine will not be relishing their two leg battle against Slovenia, meanwhile, having lost their only previous duels in the Euro 2000 play-offs 3-2 on aggregate.

Both nations comfortably made the play-offs, so this could go either way. Slovenia are tempting 6/5 shouts to qualify.

Magical Magyars set for revival?

For Hungary, it is a chance for the fallen giants to qualify for their first major tournament since the 1986 World Cup, and first Euros since 1972, where they reached the semis.

They have faced Norway 16 times before, winning six and losing five of them.

#EURO2016 play-off dates set. First legs: 12 Nov: NOR v HUN 13 Nov: BIH v IRL 14 Nov: UKR v SVN, SWE v DEN pic.twitter.com/Tsg75SPy0y

— UEFA EURO 2016 (@UEFAEURO) October 18, 2015

#EURO2016 play-off dates… Second legs: 15 Nov: HUN v NOR 16 Nov: IRL v BIH 17 Nov: SVN v UKR, DEN v SWE pic.twitter.com/0crJ0HjZtq

— UEFA EURO 2016 (@UEFAEURO) October 18, 2015

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