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.

[Crimey]

I don't think Italy are struggling, they've played very well and Croatia came out very aggressively in the second half but I thought that Italy probably deserved the win in that game. They're still in a fairly good position, if they can beat Ireland, which they really should and Spain beat Croatia (also likely) then Italy are through on 5 points.

It's no ideal, I'm sure they'd have preferred to win today, but they're probably in a marginally better position than Croatia at the moment because they've already navigated past Spain.

[monty junior]

With that donkey Doyle playing i doubt it, why do they persist with him? he barely scored a goal all season yet Walters who does score regularly never get's a look in to start..

[Duty281]

Spain: Casillas, Arbeloa, Pique, Sergio Ramos, Jordi Alba, Xavi, Busquets, Alonso, Silva, Torres, Iniesta. Subs: Valdes, Albiol, Javi Martinez, Juanfran, Pedro, Fabregas, Negredo, Mata, Llorente, Santi Cazorla, Jesus Navas, Reina.

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

Referee: Pedro Proenca (Portugal)

Torres starts, Robbie Keane to be the hero? I've never said this before in my life but...Come on Ireland!

[Zander]

I'm surprised, I thought Walters would have started alongside Keane. I was wrong.

Spain looked stronger with a natural striker starting, even if he is a bit off form!

[mystiroakey]

come on Oireland.

however watching the build up and they talk about robbie keane being a rare talent and would be for any team. is there something i dont know about him.(roy keane - yes- robbie keane- sorry!! not quite)

gonna take the 15/1 price on em though

[Zander]

Goal Torres.

Spain 1-0 Ireland.

Good goal by Torres but Given should have saved that.

[Gibson]

This is going to be a long night for Ireland. Spanish are running by them at will. Ireland need to get hold of the ball and try and stem the flow. All set pieces are key for them.

[mystiroakey]

Ermm- spain are having allot of fun out there and to be honest this contest looks abit like a cat playing with a mouse.

However if they keep only teasing ireland they could get caught out

[mystiroakey]

lol what is it with spain- overplaying after overplaying- passing up chance after chance. blimey i hope ireland turn em over. There football is so arrogant.

[mankiaow]

I think Trap's tactics may keep the score down but that'a about it.

[Duty281]

Some of you may not like what I'm about to type but here goes:

I loathe Spain with a burning passion. They're arrogant beyond belief, they dive and they cheat. Please Ireland, not just for yourselves but for the sake of football, stick a goal past them. Come on Ireland!

[Thomond]

No team is going to dominate Spain for possession so we're not doing too badly. It's a bit like Chelsea v Barca except we're not giving away as many sure fire goal chances. We won't score but we could keep it respectable. Moral victories all the way

As some fella said on the rugby boards this week:

On our day we can beat anyone morally

[Guest]

You may not admit it Duty but you'd love England to play the game in this manner! Beautiful stuff.

[Duty281]

You may not admit it Duty but you'd love England to play the game in this manner! Beautiful stuff.

What arrogant, no respect for the opposition or officials? I'd rather lose than play the Spain way.

[Guest]

You may not admit it Duty but you'd love England to play the game in this manner! Beautiful stuff.

What arrogant, no respect for the opposition or officials? I'd rather lose than play the Spain way.

If it meant England parading silverware you would, you really would.

[lorus59]

Some of you may not like what I'm about to type but here goes:

I loathe Spain with a burning passion. They're arrogant beyond belief, they dive and they cheat. Please Ireland, not just for yourselves but for the sake of football, stick a goal past them. Come on Ireland!

Maybe one word can be used to describe hatred of the European and World Champions, JEALOUSY. I am Irish and I just have to admire Spain. If only we could play like that.

[mystiroakey]

anyway its 2-0

silly spain

[Zander]

Goal Silva.

Spain 2-0 Ireland

Looks like Spain could run riot. Unfortunately.

[mystiroakey]

lorus drop me out pal- your jealous of england let alone spain!!!!

all you do is have a pop!

[Duty281]

Some of you may not like what I'm about to type but here goes:

I loathe Spain with a burning passion. They're arrogant beyond belief, they dive and they cheat. Please Ireland, not just for yourselves but for the sake of football, stick a goal past them. Come on Ireland!

Maybe one word can be used to describe hatred of the European and World Champions, JEALOUSY. I am Irish and I just have to admire Spain. If only we could play like that.

Nope not jealously. Usually I have the utmost respect for anyone who wins anything at International level but Spain? God no. Mind numblingly dull football. Tap, tap, tap. In the Quarters (if they get there) they'll be playing either France or England. I would expect either of those teams to dump Spain out.

[mankiaow]

Dios mio. Siempre hay uno!

[phildange]

The Irish should try the British way, kick-and-run . This could be their only chance . I'm disapointed by their lack of spirit . Kick the ball and pray !

[Gibson]

This is embarrassing. How Ireland are holding them to 2-0 I'll never know.

Cant seem to string more than 2/3 passes together. Keep hoofing it away.

Nothing has changed in 30/40 years. I blame English football

[phildange]

Dios mio. Siempre hay uno!

Uno de que ? De que estas hablando ?

[mystiroakey]

oi. no spainish on here- translations please

[Guest]

estos tontos no saben bien al fútbol si les mordió en el culo!

[mankiaow]

Dios mio. Siempre hay uno!

Uno de que ? De que estas hablando ?

No me gusto la palabra "cheat".

[mystiroakey]

oi lol cheeky monkies

i am working out cheating spainish and foolish irish. but what do i know

[Guest]

That's good enough mystir! B+

[phildange]

Dios mio. Siempre hay uno!

Uno de que ? De que estas hablando ?

No me gusto la palabra "cheat".

I agree, the Spaniards of now don't need to cheat .

[Duty281]

Dios mio. Siempre hay uno!

Uno de que ? De que estas hablando ?

No me gusto la palabra "cheat".

The truth hurts, that's why.

[mystiroakey]

B+ nice

[mystiroakey]

its a bit touch and go weather italy or croatia are going through!

[mankiaow]

Because it's the type of word that should be used very sparingly and only if it is the truth.

I'm just old school about that and make no apologies for it.

[mankiaow]

'foolish irish'

?????

[Duty281]

Because it's the type of word that should be used very sparingly and only if it is the truth.

I'm just old school about that and make no apologies for it.

Well I reference diving and faking injury as cheating - the Spanish dive and fake injury alot. Mind you, a lot of other countries do that now, Portugal, Italy etc. I call it cheating. They call it part of the game.

[mystiroakey]

'foolish irish'

?????

tontos=fools

[phildange]

Because it's the type of word that should be used very sparingly and only if it is the truth.

I'm just old school about that and make no apologies for it.

Well I reference diving and faking injury as cheating - the Spanish dive and fake injury alot. Mind you, a lot of other countries do that now, Portugal, Italy etc. I call it cheating. They call it part of the game.

I seldom see the Spanish diving for nothing . I agree about Portuguese and Italian, but the world champs are Balkanic teams, Croatia, Bulgaria, etc..

[mankiaow]

Every successful team gets accused of gamesmanship. I just think the word should be used when it's properly deserved, otherwise it loses it's effect.

[mystiroakey]

philadge-

The spainish are the best by a mile. they are just so much better at forcing/drawing a foul.They play a cynical game.

[Guest]

Ashley Young could win us a penalty with one of his Olympic dives tomorrow night. Would we be still be riding our high horses then?

[Duty281]

So Ireland will be the first team to be officially out. Their fans deserve better.

[mankiaow]

'foolish irish'

?????

tontos=fools

Lost in translation.

[Duty281]

Ashley Young could win us a penalty with one of his Olympic dives tomorrow night. Would we be still be riding our high horses then?

If Ashley Young did such a thing I would rather he didn't play for his country.

[phildange]

Spendid Irish fans . Superb blokes .

[Crimey]

I still still think Spain's football in general is quite boring. Germany play the most exciting kind of football, even if their game against Portugal was quite boring. I also hate the amount of people who claim that those who do not appreciate the way Spain play know nothing about football, that's ridiculous. They do play effective football, but passing it around until the other team loses concentration is just not what I enjoy watching. I prefer end to end stuff, fast-paced counter attacking football.

I do feel sorry for Ireland, they've been torn about in the two games. I think everybody expected a big moment for them, I just can't see it happening for them now. Italy's position is getting more admirable than Croatia's now though as Spain could need at least a draw to get past the Croatians and Ireland will be fighting for nothing leaving them there for the taking for the Italians.

[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

[GG]

There was a time when certain nations were far worse than other when it came to diving and feigning injury. However, now, I believe all are pretty much as bad as each other.

[Crimey]

Spain are by no means the only country to overreact to fouls, people complain about it happening in the Premier League but it doesn't happen anywhere near as much as it has done in this tournament. It's made some games worse than they really were, like the Croatia-Italy game which was actually a good game bar the play acting.

It's not diving, there is always contact, they just fall to the floor and roll around for ages, it's really irritating. Unfortunately I've noticed that when players do stay on their feet, the referee very rarely gives a foul, it's starting to become a necessity to react in such a way to get the decision.

[Guest]

Ashley Young could win us a penalty with one of his Olympic dives tomorrow night. Would we be still be riding our high horses then?

If Ashley Young did such a thing I would rather he didn't play for his country.

That's fair enough Duty.

[Sponsored content]