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Shay Given believes Republic of Ireland have an advantage against Estonia in Euro 2012 play-off
The custodian is fully focused on winning against their rivals over two legs to put an end to their disappointing record in Europe's most prestigious international competition
10 Nov 2011 07:14:00
Subhankar Mondal
Republic of Ireland international goalkeeper Shay Given is determined to get the better of Estonia over the two legs of their Euro 2012 play-off and qualify for the European Championship for the first time since 1988.
Ireland are away at Tallinn for the first leg on Friday with the return game in Dublin four days later, and will head into the tie as the favourites.
Given understands the magnitude of the two matches and is fully focused on ending his country's poor record in Euro qualifiers against a team who have never played in a major international competition.
When asked if the tie will be the most important games of his international career, the 35-year-old replied: "Well, they probably are because it's nearly 25 years since we have been at a European Championships.
"There are people of 25 who haven't even seen Ireland at a European Championships - that's really mad to even think about.
"They are the biggest games because they are the games coming up next, but they don't get much bigger than these games coming up next. We are all excited about them. There's pressure and expectation, but you have to take that on your shoulders and respond to it."
Given is confident that his country will head into the encounter with an edge over their opponents, but warned his team-mates not to get complacent.
"We have got an advantage, we've got the experience of being here before and I think it's the first time they've qualified for a play-off situation," the Aston Villa custodian said.
"They've had some great results, so we can't be taking them lightly. We can't turn up thinking it's going to be an easy game because we know they've got some very good players as well."
Estonia and Ireland confronted each other during the 2002 World Cup qualifying campaign, with the Irish winning both matches 2-0.
Given played for his country in Tallinn in June 2001 and reflected on their performance.
"I have good memories, obviously, we won the game," he added. "That's the most important thing.
"I remember the stadium. I remember quite a lot about it, not too much about the game, but I think Mart Poom was still playing in goal at that stage.
"They have come on a long way since then. Mart Poom was their main player then, but they have got a lot more football experience as a country since then."
| Bet: | Returns: | France £11.25 | Draw £65.00 | Estonia £170.00 |
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| Bet: | Returns: | France £11.70 | Draw £55.00 | Estonia £120.00 |
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| Bet: | Returns: | France £11.67 | Draw £65.00 | Estonia £150.00 |
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Ireland are away at Tallinn for the first leg on Friday with the return game in Dublin four days later, and will head into the tie as the favourites.
Given understands the magnitude of the two matches and is fully focused on ending his country's poor record in Euro qualifiers against a team who have never played in a major international competition.
When asked if the tie will be the most important games of his international career, the 35-year-old replied: "Well, they probably are because it's nearly 25 years since we have been at a European Championships.
"There are people of 25 who haven't even seen Ireland at a European Championships - that's really mad to even think about.
"They are the biggest games because they are the games coming up next, but they don't get much bigger than these games coming up next. We are all excited about them. There's pressure and expectation, but you have to take that on your shoulders and respond to it."
Given is confident that his country will head into the encounter with an edge over their opponents, but warned his team-mates not to get complacent.
"We have got an advantage, we've got the experience of being here before and I think it's the first time they've qualified for a play-off situation," the Aston Villa custodian said.
"They've had some great results, so we can't be taking them lightly. We can't turn up thinking it's going to be an easy game because we know they've got some very good players as well."
Estonia and Ireland confronted each other during the 2002 World Cup qualifying campaign, with the Irish winning both matches 2-0.
Given played for his country in Tallinn in June 2001 and reflected on their performance.
"I have good memories, obviously, we won the game," he added. "That's the most important thing.
"I remember the stadium. I remember quite a lot about it, not too much about the game, but I think Mart Poom was still playing in goal at that stage.
"They have come on a long way since then. Mart Poom was their main player then, but they have got a lot more football experience as a country since then."
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Make Your Prediction Choose match
Hungary - Republic of Ireland
Hungary
Republic of Ireland
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Most Popular Predictions
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Hungary 0-2 Republic of Ireland
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Hungary 0-1 Republic of Ireland
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Hungary 1-2 Republic of Ireland
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21:50 BST -
And here are some quotes from today's goalscorer, Danny Welbeck: "It's still the same, me and Ashley [Young] playing together.
"We know each other's games and obviously we're training with each other day in and day out.
"So, it was really good to start up top with him."
"We know each other's games and obviously we're training with each other day in and day out.
"So, it was really good to start up top with him."
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