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In the controversial match between Armenia and Ireland the latter secured a play-off place at European football championship. The Irish benefited from two crucial handball decisions made by the referee, says the well-known British newspaper The Guardian, commenting on the match between two teams in the qualifying round of Euro-2012.

The game turned after the dismissal of the Armenia goalkeeper Roman Berezovsky on the 26th minute for a handball outside his penalty area as he leapt to block Simon Cox's lob. However, says The Guardian, the best of the numerous TV replay angles showed that the ball had hit Berezovsky somewhere between the side of his chest and armpit.

The decision of goalkeeper's dismissal was harsh, and it was compounded in Armenia's eyes as Cox himself have played with his arm in the episode. Yet, the Irish striker did nothing to dispute that view. “Some you get, some you don’t, but I don’t think it was a handball by the goalkeeper,” he said.

Armenia tried to convince the referee that Berezovsky had blocked Cox with his chest, even if both of his hands were outstretched, but the Spanish referee Eduardo Iturralde did not hesitate.

Meanwhile, The Guardian writes that Armenia lived up to their reputation for slick and technical football and the Ireland coach Giovanni Trapattoni was forced to conceded that the visitors had played “very, very well”, and been the better side in the first half.