Ireland draw Estonia in play-offs

The Republic of Ireland must get the better of Estonia in a two-legged play-off in order to qualify for next summer‘s European Championships.

Tuesday‘s win over Armenia ensured Giovanni Trapattoni‘s men finished second in Group B and they were paired off with the Group C runners-up in this afternoon‘s draw.

Estonia have never reached the finals of a major tournament, and this is Tarmo Ruutli‘s side‘s first play-off appearance.

Ireland have played in five-play offs before, winning just once, while their last appearance ended in acrimony when they were knocked out by France following a controversial handball by Thierry Henry ahead of the 2010 World Cup.

The first leg will take place in Estonia on either November 11 or 12, with the return leg at the Aviva Stadium on November 15.

Estonia finished 10 points behind group winners Italy in qualifying, with six of their points coming courtesy of wins over Northern Ireland.

The Republic emerged from a tough group containing winners Russia and the likes of Armenia and Slovakia to secure second spot by four points.

They have only reached the European Championship finals once before – in West Germany in 1988 – but will be relatively pleased to have drawn Estonia.

There were tougher-looking assignments in the pot of unseeded teams they could have been put up against, with Turkey hosting Croatia, the Czech Republic taking on Montenegro and Bosnia going up against Portugal.

Euro2012 play-off draw:

Estonia v Republic of Ireland,

Turkey v Croatia,

Bosnia v Portugal,

Czech Republic v Montenegro

First leg to be played on November 11 with the return leg on November 15.