Drawn group qualifying for the Euro 2016th

urbaNRoots wrote:How lucky are Belgium, getting a free pass for the 3rd time now

Gibraltar manager Allen Bula sets Euro 2016 play-offs target

Gibraltar manager Allen Bula is targeting the Euro 2016 play-offs after being drawn in the same group as Scotland and Republic of Ireland.

The third-place team in Group D, which also includes Germany, Poland and Georgia, will earn at least a place in the play-offs.

"It's a historic moment," Bula told BBC Sport.

"I'm not going to change, I'm going to stick with what I said and that's to get to the play-offs."

Gibraltar, who were only given full Uefa membership in May, have only played one official match so far - a 0-0 draw against Slovakia.

"It is a dream come true," he said. "It has been a very long road. We've been waiting for many years to be here and finally reality is kicking in back in Gibraltar.

"I'm very proud to be the first Gibraltar manager to go into the qualifiers but also looking at it thinking there's a lot of hard work there with the group we've got.

"We're a small nation, but I've always said I wasn't here for the sake of just playing.

"I think, after the game we played against Slovakia, our maiden game, nations have changed their mind about Gibraltar now."

All their home matches for the Euro 2016 qualifiers, as well as their home friendlies, are being played in Portugal as the British Overseas Territory does not have a ground suitable for hosting competitive European fixtures.

Their first-ever competitive match will be at 'home' against Poland on 7 September, but Bula was particularly looking forward to the matches with the Scots and Ireland because of Gibraltar's links with the British Isles.

"Drawing Scotland, that's one when I tried to keep my emotions [in check], but I didn't I didn't manage it," he said.

"I jumped from the seat as soon as I saw Scotland come out. It was unbelievable for many reasons. It's going to be a very emotional game for us, great feelings.

"My grandchild is half Scottish, so I've got to make sure he's wearing the Gibraltar shirt.

"My assistant manager [David Wilson] is from Glasgow, so I've got to make sure he's working with me."