Montenegro have done brilliantly to make Euro play-offs

Montenegro secured a play-off position in the European Championships with a last gasp 2-2 draw against England.

For long periods Montenegro didn’t look like they were a threat to England.

However to their credit they came back from two goals down to rescue a point in injury-time.

Incredible

For Montenegro to secure a play-off spot is simply incredible. Montenegro have only been playing as a national since 2007. In that time they have risen up the Fifa world rankings to number 26, that’s just behind neighbours Serbia.

The nation has a population of less than 700,000 people and there are 42 European nations with bigger populations. What Montenegro lack in man power they make up for in sheer spirit.

Quality

Montenegro have some top quality players in their squad. Players that play in Serie A and the Premier League. Attackers Mirko Vucinic and Steven Jovetic both ply their trade in Italy with Juventus and Fiorentina respectively.

Defender Stefan Savic joined Manchester City this summer and midfielder playmaker Simon Vukcevic joined Blackburn Rovers. So the country doesn’t lack players with ability. In fact for such a small country to produce so many quality players at once is very impressive.

The countries current squad could very well be the countries golden generation. Striker Mirko Vucinic is the countries top ever goalscorer with 11 goals to his name and is captain. Its not surprising really considering the 28 year-old has been playing in Italy for his last decade. He has obviously learnt a lot in Serie A.

Second

The draw against England meant that Montenegro secured second place in the group ahead of Switzerland, who slipped up against Wales at the Liberty Stadium. This is only the second qualification campaign the country have participated in and they excelled themselves.

They have played England twice and claimed two draws. And I’m sure the fans will be absolutely delighted to have finished in the play-off positions. Their joy at the end of the game couldn’t be hidden as a number of fans invaded the pitch.

Surprise

In every European Championship there is a team that comes from nowhere and makes it into the European Championship finals. Montenegro could very well be that team, depending on who they draw in the play-offs of course.

I wouldn’t back against the Montenegrins after watching them claim two draws against Fabio Capello’s men. They never gave up and got their reward for their team spirit.

History

A lot of the squads current players were in the first ever Montenegro squad that played their first ever game against Hungary in 2007. They could be set to create an even bigger piece of history by qualifying for their first ever tournament as an independent nation.

Complacent

Whoever draws Montenegro in the plays-off cannot afford to be complacent against them. If their opponents are complacent then they could get a rude awakening as Montenegro are no pushovers. England made the mistake of  being complacent against Montenegro at Wembley and England failed to break them down.

Achievement

Even if Montenegro lose in the play-offs they have been done really well to get to this point. From playing their first game in 2007 to being on the verge of qualifying for the European Championships in 2012 is just unbelievable.

As an England fan I didn’t begrudge Montenegro that late equaliser. It meant so much to the players and the fans. It wasn’t just an  achievement for the team it was an achievement for a blossoming nation. They have now stepped out of the shadow of neighbours Serbia and proved they can achieve success.

Can Montenegro make the European Championships in 2012?