So the result isn't that bad for Norway. If Holland beat Scotland, as frankly looks likely, all they need to do is beat Macedonia to finish 2nd (though it isn't very likely they will get a play-off place!) ... the point against Iceland keeps them in touch and they have a goal difference and head-to-head advantage that will put them above Scotland. On the other hand, Scotland have a slight incentive to get a draw against Holland, which they didn't have before. It's not that great because they probably need to win to stand a chance of not being the worst 2nd place team, but nonetheless it is something that will give the Scots something to play for even if they fall behind to a Dutch goal, or give them something to lose that will prevent them taking too many high risks. In my lifetime we have never lost a competitive home game where we haven't been forced to take high risks in attack.
Yeah, I know. Whatever the reason is, you're not producing enough players with top-class quality technique. You should be, but you're not. Not even like your neighbours Ukraine and Czech Republic. I've no idea why. Why does 5 million Croatia produce so many great players, but 38 million Poland so few? Why is the gulf in quality between Austria and Portugal, countries with roughly the same population, so huge? Why is the gulf in technical quality between Portugal and Poland so high in the former's favour but the latter has four times the population? It's something to do with how many children play, how they play, how they are coached and how they are nurtured. Who knows what though. If you can figure it out, tell the Scottish Football Association too.
I think I can answer both at the same time.
