Euro 2012: Day 3 Thread

[Duty281]

First topic message reminder :

Spain v Italy (17:00, ITV 1)
Republic of Ireland v Croatia (19:45 ITV 1)

Group C commences tomorrow with the reigning World and European Champions Spain kicking off against the dangerous Italy and that's followed by what should be a good game between Ireland and Croatia. Given I've got all 4 predictions wrong so far, I'll abstain this time!

[mystiroakey]

go italy!!!

[Guest]

Wow! Thoroughly deserved though.

[Duty281]

Respect to the Italy manager for that change and respect to Di Natale for the finish. 1-0 Italy!

[Liam]

Have to say, its been coming. He's a good player Di Natale and he's just shown he can score under substantial pressure. They've kept the ball well and defended well. Spain need Llorente/Torres because in this match, no striker hasn't worked for them.

[Crimey]

Busquets at fault for that goal. I think he's completely overrated by Barca and Spain, I can't see what he offers. He's not particularly impressive defensively as he's not a big tackler or stopping attacks but he only ever plays simple balls.

[Liam]

spoke to soon haha, Fab!!

[Crimey]

Spain have been in third gear all game, that was too easy, why haven't they done that all game?

[mystiroakey]

lol spain wake up~!!!!

these two are quality teams- not much more to say really

[Duty281]

Champions response from the Champions. Cool finish by Fabregas. 1-1, the game has exploded into life!

[Gibson]

Lovin it!

Such high-level football. Soccer-porno.

[Gibson]

Torres tryin to be a flash basket. His team must be so pished off with him.

2 chances gone.

Unless... he does it before 90/93 mins.

[Crimey]

He looks so sluggish these days, used to be so sharp.

[Crimey]

If the result stays like this, it's not good news for Ireland, it means both teams will be more determined to get all three points.

[Guest]

Decent match, certainly alot better than was expected by some folk anyway.

[Duty281]

1-1 the final score, Italy will probably be the happier team although both teams did have chances to win it. Big chance now for the Irish or the Croatian to top the group tonight.

[Gibson]

If the result stays like this, it's not good news for Ireland, it means both teams will be more determined to get all three points.

True Crikey. But Ireland are very good at draws against World Class sides. Not great to watch, but what can ya do?

I really enjoyed that game. Superb football.

Now, if Ireland can beat Croatia (big ask) they can realistically get a point from either Spain or Italy on the back of it. 4pts may be enough in this group. 5pts will, for sure. It will be tight. GD maybe?

[Thomond]

Balls, was hoping for Spain to win that . Italy and Spain look far superior to Ireland, if Ireland play 4 in midfield against Spain they will be torn asunder. They need to play 5 that has only happened once or twice under Trap. I'm fearful of our prospects. Tonight is incredibly important.

[The_Enigma]

On the whole, I would have though both teams would be content with the point they both had their chances to win the game. I'd probably say Italy shaded the first half creating more chances keeping Casillas the busier of the 2 keepers.

Second half was a lot more open with both teams making positive attacking changes. Di Natale slotted home a cleaver finish proving his worth making the Italy Sqaud, Spain more or less went down the other end with Italy's left wing back switching off allowing Fabregas to nip in to tie the game up. Torres came on, made some decent runs but carried his form in from last season with the finishes. Overall, I can't see either team making the final this season, but was a decent enough game to watch

[Gibson]

Enigma,
I think that they, along with Germany and Holland, are the 4 best teams in it. Cant see past that lot.

Maybe France.

[Thomond]

Ireland can play ball, they don't do it often enough, and play beneath themselves quite often. I'm having friends over so laters. COYBIG and Ireland all the fooking way!

[Duty281]

Rep of Ireland: Given, O'Shea, St. Ledger, Dunne, Ward, McGeady, Whelan, Andrews, Duff, Doyle, Keane. Subs: Westwood, Kelly, McShane, Walters, Gibson, Hunt, O'Dea, Long, Cox, Green, McClean, Forde.

Croatia: Pletikosa, Srna, Corluka, Schildenfeld, Strinic, Vukojevic, Rakitic, Modric, Perisic, Mandzukic, Jelavic. Subs: Kelava, Simunic, Buljat, Pranjic, Badelj, Vrsaljko, Dujmovic, Kalinic, Kranjcar, Vida, Eduardo, Subasic.

Referee: Bjorn Kuipers (Holland)

The Ireland team has apparently 699 caps between them! Fancy Ireland to edge out Croatia 2-1.

[mystiroakey]

[Duty281]

Gotta love the Irish fans!

[Gibson]

BELIEVE!

[Gibson]

Nightmare start. This could get nasty.

[Duty281]

Oh dear, Given wrongfooted. A horrible start for the Irish.

[Gibson]

Just need to hauld on to the ball for bit Duty. Gather composure. Then strike.

[Gibson]

Clever by Doyle.

[Guest]

Get in!!!

[mystiroakey]

sweet !!!- 1-1

[Gibson]

YEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEESSSSSSSSSSSSSS!

[Duty281]

Equaliser for the Irish! Good header. Who's that dick in the crowd with the whistle?

[JamesLincs]

that whistle is really getting on my nerves, doubt its affecting the players as it will be more obviously coming from the stands

[Gibson]

Cant stand off Modric. He too good.

[Gibson]

Keaneavitch... to Duffavitch...

[Gibson]

Need to close Modric down. He's the only one causing problems. Where is that knacker Roy Keane - to knobble im?

Oh, he's on the panel. Roysh.

[Gibson]

It was coming. We were standing off them.

[Duty281]

So Croatia 2-1 up. Ireland need to close down more, they're allowing Croatia - Modric in particular - too much space. Been impressed with Croatia's high pressing game so far, it's kept Ireland back and Irish forays into the Croatian half have been few and far between. Should be an entertaining second half

[mystiroakey]

ouch... poor given!!

3-1 croatia

[Duty281]

And that is goodnight Ireland, a powerful downward header and Given is a tad unlucky not to get there. 1-3 Croatia, difficult to see Ireland coming back.

[Liam]

Ireland got to bring on Mclean. The damage has been done but his pace can cause some serious danger. Duff and Mcgeady have offered nothing on the wings.

[Duty281]

Ireland should have had a pen there IMO.

[JamesLincs]

well done ireland for playing on, were gunna see this stop start schit all tournament. im worried the french will be doing it tomorrow, and each time we will just put the ball out, ruin the momentum, only to see the player get straight back on his feet

also should of been a penalty, although you can see why it wasnt given

[cremmer]

Ireland should have had a pen there IMO.

Definite penalty that...straight through the back of him

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

Ireland have no plan B. Where is the plan B?

[Gibson]

Game & competition over for Ireland. Better team will win through. Just smarter and better technical players. In all fairness.

Only thing is, there will be 20,000 pished and horny Paddies, lookin for a cheap shaag later.

If only they were in Poland. Oh man they ARE! Result!

Ukrainje is cheaper tho. The English will have more of it.

[Gibson]

Ireland have no plan B. Where is the plan B?

It's hidden just behind plan D. Bu88er!

Good call man.

[Duty281]

well done ireland for playing on, were gunna see this stop start schit all tournament. im worried the french will be doing it tomorrow, and each time we will just put the ball out, ruin the momentum, only to see the player get straight back on his feet

also should of been a penalty, although you can see why it wasnt given

I remember Portugal were masters of stopping the play at the WC in '06. Any time England struck up a passing rhythm, a Portugese player would be down injured and play would be stopped.

[mystiroakey]

if england are gonna do a chelsea- we need a drogba. stevie g - step up lad!!!

[Duty281]

And it finishes 3-1 Croatia. Ireland were poor, poor defence, no attacking creativity and the only threat they posed was from set pieces. Croatia were decent, well organised and clinical in attack. Euro 2012 is over already for Ireland unless they can somehow muster a minimum of 4 points against the Spanish and Italy whereas Croatia have half a chance of going through. Bottom line is, the superb Irish support deserved better.

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