Euro 2012: Day 7 Thread

[Duty281]

First topic message reminder :

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

Current Group Standings:

Croatia - 3
Italy - 1
Spain - 1
Republic of Ireland - 0

The group has been blown wide open after Croatia beat Ireland and Italy and Spain drew in the first round of fixtures in Group C. So first up, Croatia will look to consolidate their position at the top with a win against Italy but in all fairness they'd be happy with a draw, while Italy will hope to build on a promising display last time out against Spain. Then it's off to Gdansk where Ireland are living on a prayer after there last match and Spain expect to record their first win of Euro 2012 but you never know with football. A shock may just happen and the noisy Irish fans will be certainly hoping so.

[JamesLincs]

sheamus in the crowd there

[Zander]

Full time.

Spain 4-0 Ireland

Sadly, Ireland are the first team to leave Euro 2012.

[phildange]

well i think its clear all nations are guilty of diving these days- if you cant beat them and all that- you have to join them!

Anyway my point is more about the approach to drawing fouls the spainish take. It is drilled into them at a young age to win free kicks. Its a skil; they use- I am not really saying its right or wrong(i do find it cynical mind) but i am just saying they are the best at it...tis all

I don't agree . I watch many European games from several countries, and I don't find they are trained to win free-kicks . I could say that about Italians in the 80s/90s, or Portuguese in the 2000s, but not the Spanish .
But many defenders grab jerseys, or commit little fouls to slow down a gifted player, the ref can't always see it, so the guys tend to fall down to make it clear . IMO, these little fouls are more unfair play .

[Thomond]

I'm crying now out of pride as much as sadness. I have travelled to an away game or two for Ireland and I think we have some of the best supporters in the world. Singing for the whole game, and even when we're not up to the task. Doing Ireland proud over there.

On the game, Spain dominated possession, territory and all that jazz. It was "Murder on Gdansk Floor" to steal a quote from a mate of mine. What was most disappointing was that while Spain created numerous chances, all their goals came from our mistakes. They capitilise on anything much the All Blacks in the rugby. Still proud of the fans and proud of the effort the lads put in, Trap might have picked some wrong guys in there but they gave it their all. Tht's all we can ask for. Thanks for eveything lads.

[JamesLincs]

they play a part as always, terrific support from the irish, just a shame their players arent good enough at the sport to progress in tournaments.

my 3rd correct prediction of the tournament though, really should be placing bets

[Gibson]

I'm crying now out of proud as much as sadness. I have travelled to an away game or two for Ireland and I think we have some of the best supporters in the world. Singing for the whole game, and even when we're not up to the task. Doing Ireland proud over there.

On the game, Spain dominated possession, territory and all that jazz. It was "Murder on Gdansk Floor" to steal a quote from a mate of mine. What was most disappointing was that while Spain created numerous chances, all their goals came from our mistakes. They capitilise on anything much the All Blacks in the rugby. Still proud of the fans and proud of the effort the lads put in, Trap might have picked some wrong guys in there but they gave it their all. Tht's all we can ask for. Thanks for eveything lads.

+1.

[Thomond]

There is some talent in the Irish underage and LOI. Trap is probably not the best guy to bring us forward. He has the contract until 2014 and we have a relatively easy group, so he could navigate it. I just don't want to see what is a very good group of youngsters go to waste.

[mystiroakey]

well i think its clear all nations are guilty of diving these days- if you cant beat them and all that- you have to join them!

Anyway my point is more about the approach to drawing fouls the spainish take. It is drilled into them at a young age to win free kicks. Its a skil; they use- I am not really saying its right or wrong(i do find it cynical mind) but i am just saying they are the best at it...tis all

I don't agree . I watch many European games from several countries, and I don't find they are trained to win free-kicks . I could say that about Italians in the 80s/90s, or Portuguese in the 2000s, but not the Spanish .
But many defenders grab jerseys, or commit little fouls to slow down a gifted player, the ref can't always see it, so the guys tend to fall down to make it clear . IMO, these little fouls are more unfair play .

the game has changed alot- its a very cynical game and winning free kicks rather than giving up possesion is becoming a very sort after skill

[Josiah Maiestas]

Where is that HUP HOLLAND guy?

On your bike, plastic Dutchy

[Thomond]

He's not really a plastic Dutch. He's lived there for 20 odd years like.

[azania]

I'd be crying if that is the best Ireland can play. Thankfully Roy Keane remains a winner and has that mentality needed to compete.

The worst team I have seen play in the Euro finals.

[Thomond]

Yep, pretty poor alright.

[Josiah Maiestas]

I was glad Roy Keane said that, azania. This mentality of finding a positive (oh it's Spain, we gave it a good fight) mentality is not helpful for the next set of players to learn from.

[westisbest]

Thomond.

Well said re fans. Amazing as always, despite result.

Cant beat em.

As great as Spain were, just a shame some of the goals we conceded.

[Thomond]

Keane has the right mentality. Fantastic player who never settled for mediocrity. Other Irish sports/sports stars hold that mentality and they are successful. Hope the young lads go on to believe that as we have some good talent coming through.

[Corporalhumblebucket]

Irish very well beaten tonight by a strong Spanish side. Not a lot of positives Ireland can take from the match - apart from their supporters...

[MtotheC's Wrasslin Biatch]

I dislike Roy Keane, but he is right. Its a common mentality amongst the Celtic nations. Playing up the minnow tag all the time. Finding positives that are irrelevant (the fans singing?)
England have gone too far the other way, and are hyper-critical, but you'd have to say that that self-criticism that surrounds any England exit is one of the reasons they continue to achieve qualifications with ease.

[mystiroakey]

respect to Roy. Because he echoed my opinion on robbie keane(he was built up as some legend of the game)- er in whos eyes?

[Crimey]

respect to Roy. Because he echoed my opinion on robbie keane(he was built up as some legend of the game)- er in whos eyes?

Internationally he's got a very good record and has represented his county 119 times which is quite impressive. I don't think anybody was suggesting he was one of the world's best players, but I think to a certain extent he's a 'legend' because of his career with Ireland.

[mystiroakey]

crimey you didnt see it then. They said he was a once in a lifetime player. As I said i noticed it and so did Roy. It was hyperbole

[Crimey]

I did watch it, and understand the point they were trying to get across.

It is rare to see somebody play so many times and score so many times for their country. Robbie Keane is also a rare player who appears to place international football ahead of club football, possibly because he's more successful at international level, but that's a different question.

They weren't trying to suggest he was a Zidane or a Maradona, they were just bigging up how much he's done for the country as a player. A goal record of nearly every other game for a team like Ireland is very decent!

[mystiroakey]

Crimey they were trying to suggest that. As i said I picked up on it and so did roy. They went ott on a very average player

[mystiroakey]

There is nothing rare about being the biggest fish in a small pond crimey, but not showing that quality when surronded by other players of high quailty- its very normal

[Crimey]

Congratulations to you and Roy then, because I didn't think they were being too over the top in the context of those video packages. Robbie Keane has had a good international career, it's unlikely Ireland will see a player have such a long and fruitful career as Robbie Keane, such is the nature of football these days.

[mystiroakey]

congratulations- what are you talking about.

They just went hyperbole on a good player. Your turning this into something it isnt

[MtotheC's Wrasslin Biatch]

I think the bit that got Roy's back up, was the bizarre ITV-typical of suggesting some sort of lineage and passing of the torch between Roy and Robbie, based entirely on a shared surname. My ears pricked up when the voiceover said it, and I actually thought, Roy's gonna call that out as crap.

As players, there is no comparison.
Roy's done it all, whereas looking back at his career in hindsight - unfortunately Robbie's done not a lot at all.

[azania]

Are Roy and Robbie Keane related?

[Stella]

Don't think so?

[super_realist]

Are Roy and Robbie Keane related?

The irish just have that glaikit, vacant and inbred look with eyes close together.

[MtotheC's Wrasslin Biatch]

Are Roy and Robbie Keane related?

They're Irish

So more than likely

[JamesLincs]

racist!

[Josiah Maiestas]

England have gone too far the other way, and are hyper-critical, but you'd have to say that that self-criticism that surrounds any England exit is one of the reasons they continue to achieve qualifications with ease.

When you keep calling yourself the underdog, in public, you will rarely get the success. Those who belittle England for 'putting the pressure on themselves' are just a bit bitter. How will you perform if you never put the pressure on? Just like Ireland would be my answer, conceding 7 in 2 games.

[westisbest]

I would drop Robbie.

Play Walters & Long upfront.

Start McLean inplace of McGeady and Gibson for Whelan.

Might aswell make some changes.

Altough cant see Trap making more than 1 or 2.

ps super_realist, very harsh comment.

[Thomond]

Robbie has been a good servant to Ireland. He should have been dropped a long time ago. He gets quite a fair few chances and doesn't put them away, his workrate is usually non-existent. He spends half the game pointing at other people.

[mystiroakey]

Oh come on lads- 90% of the world has some irish in them (or thats what they say anyway!!)

[Jimmy Moz]

Has anyone tried typing 'definition of an english person' into Google yet? Its a very accurate description the first thing that comes up

[mystiroakey]

jimmy thats really funny lad....

"
Summary: Google
may have to crank out the spanners again, as when users attempt to
define what an English person is, offensive results are displayed in the
number one spot.




Imagine arguably the ‘worst’ swear word you can think of. It rhymes with “punt”, and I should probably leave it at that.

Google is investigating why that particular swear word is bumped up
to the top of its search results, when one enters the term: “What
defines an English person”."

[HERSH]

[Gordy]

Ireland were hopeless. How did they even qualify in the first place?

Roy Keane is right. How the fans of Ireland can cheer and cling to having a sing song as vindication for being there is beyond me. Not surprising the side is so poor when the fans cheer such an abysmal performance. This will only breed a culture of viewing defeat and failure as acceptable.

[Thomond]

You're being a bit melodramatic Gordy. Ireland have been as poor as they have been under Trap in the Euros. A side that didn't make mistakes has mad several and they have all lead to goals. As for the cheering, I condone it. The cheering is about lifting some of the gloom that's in Ireland and thanks for getting us this far. They're not really condoning the performance. Keane's right we shouldn't settle for mediocrity and we haven't for the large part. Also a lot of the fans over there aren't the hard core support and are just cheering forthe craic. The true fans cheered but it was more of a thanks. They know that things need to change.


We obviously know our limitations, soccer is 3rd/4th in the list of sports in Ireland. We have decent talent coming through so I would be optimistic. Trap is probably not the guy to bring us forward.

Spoiler:

Thought that was great!

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