The luck of the draw

The big win at the World Cup playoff draw wasn't getting Denmark, it was the order of the games

Spanish retired footballer Fernando Hierro shows the name of Denmark during the FIFA football World Cup 2018 European play-off draw, on October 17, 2017 in Zurich. Pic: Fabrice Coffrini/AFP/Getty Images

There were worse options.

Croatia desperately underperformed in the group phase but still boast some ludicrous talent that would give Ireland all kinds of conniptions over 180 minutes.

Italy is, well, Italy. Even when they aren't at their best, they aren't the team you want to face in do or die football.

Switzerland would probably have been nicer.

Their talent level isn't fantastic and their run of wins in qualifying, save for the ...