Ireland wary of complacency in Euro endgame

Euro 2012 qualifying enters its endgame on Friday with Portugal facing a tough assignment in Zenica and the Republic of Ireland in Tallinn hoping to erase the bitter memories of missing the boat to last year's World Cup. The programme for the first leg of the Euro 2012 play-offs pits the Portuguese against Bosnia-Herzegovina, the Irish against surprise package Estonia, the Czech Republic against Montenegro and Croatia in Turkey. Thierry Henry's infamous handball helped France edge Ireland in qualifying for South Africa 2010 and Giovanni Trapattoni's side are desperate to atone for that agonising near miss and qualify for their first major finals in almost a decade. Ireland, who made the play-offs after taking the runner-up spot in Group B behind Russia, are up against a side they beat twice in qualifying for the World Cup in 2002. Despite the apparent gulf in quality Trapattoni has warned against seeing Estonia as pushovers. "There is no room for complacency," the Italian says. "We will remember that Estonia have as much right to be in the playoff as ourselves. "These games will be a huge challenge for us, and we must maintain the correct mentality from start to finish." The Estonians are just happy to be still in the running for Ukraine and Poland after finish second to Italy in Group C, "There is definitely no pressure on us," Estonian Football Association spokesman Mihkel Uiboleht told AFP. "We have already achieved something wonderful and extraordinary. For us, we never thought there was a possibility we would be playing in the playoffs." Portugal take on a Bosnia side that like Estonia has punched above its weight, coming within 13 minutes of automatic qualification and consigning France to the play-offs. Portugal winger Nani is set to earn his 50th cap against a side that he helped defeat when the two countries met at the play-off stage for last year's World Cup. Losing finalists in Lisbon in 2004 Portugal are seeking to reach a fifth consecutive European championships. Coach Paulo Bento has recalled fit-again Real Madrid defenders Pepe and Fabio Coentrao while forwards Hugo Almeida and Danny are also back after missing the final two group games. Bosnia coach Safet Susic is hopeful of turning the tables on Cristiano Ronaldo and company. "This is not the same Bosnia team as two years ago," he said. "We have midfielders who are capable of causing problems to anyone. And we also have Edin Dzeko, who is certainly the best striker in the world." Croatia also have revenge on their minds as they travel to Istanbul to take on a Turkey side that knocked them out of the Euro 2008 quarter-finals on penalties. Tottenham defender Vedran Corluka is one of nine Croatia players who figured in that defeat. "It was one of the saddest days of my life, and for Croatia as well," he recalled. Despite the history hovering over the game Corluka cautioned against letting the lingering pain of that defeat cloud Croatia's judgement. "We just need to forget about that, it's a new game and we should play like that never happened. If we let our feelings lead us through this game it won't be good, we just need to keep cool heads." Guus Hiddink's Turkey owe their presence in the play-offs to their runner-up position behind runaway Group A winners Germany. In Prague the Czech Republic, second to Spain in Group I, host a Montenegro team that edged Switzerland for second in Group G behind England. The second legs are being staged next Tuesday. The four play-off winners will join the 10 nations who went through automatically from the qualifying groups -- Germany, Russia, Italy, Netherlands, Sweden (as best runners-up), Greece, England, Denmark, holders Spain and France, as well as Poland and Ukraine who qualify as co-hosts. The draw for the finals will be held on December 2 in Kiev, with the finals starting on June 8 next year and running to July 1.