Following the opening series of qualifying games in the European Championship for Euro 2008, there has been an immediate call for the removal of the smaller footballing nations from the competition and from future World Cup competitions.

England's stroll to a 5-0 win over Andorra at Old Trafford was a prime example of a non-contest. Scotland were very satisfied with their six goal triumph over the Faroe Islands especially as they had been embarrassed by this footballing minnow in previous encounters.

Earlier, the Faroe Islands had suffered a similar defeat against Georgia but even their difficulties have been surpassed by San Marino who were beaten 13-0 by Germany, still riding high on the optimism created by Jurgen Klinsmann during the World Cup. With Gibraltar looking to enter the competition and the smaller eastern European nations there could be more one-sided games in the future.

However, at Belfast, Northern Ireland struck back for the 'underdog'.
Highly criticised for their performance in the 3-0 defeat against Iceland the previous Saturday, Northern Ireland revived memories of their defeat of England twelve months earlier and other heroic performances, including their defeat of Spain in the World Cup in 1982. The 3-2 victory over Spain included a hat-trick from Leeds United striker David Healy.

Northern Ireland fans have started to sing: "We're not Brazil, we're Northern Ireland." Spain must have wished it had been Brazil, then defeat wouldn't have caused the players and management so much embarrassment.

The result reminded the bigger nations that not every game against so-called 'minnows' is a foregone conclusion. While Northern Ireland are not in the lowest Fifa rakings, they are a small nation with limited resources and have to rely on players mostly from the lower leagues in England. Before manager Lawrie Sanchez took control, they were the laughing stock of international football, but in defeating Spain, they made a statement for the minnows. The truth is, that if smaller nations continually play against each other, they will never improve and their football will never develop.