Group C Euro 2012 General Discussion

[SwanVsDalton]

Tweet from Guillem Balague this afternoon:

"Spain? Puyol injured, Villa injured (might make it), Soldado out of form, Torres not at his best, Xavi carrying injury, more than half squad will join 5 days before start...shud I continue?"

The straw grasping continues. If we frustrate them first half, let them play pretty patterns on the half way line but get nowhere near goal...maybe.

[geysir]

39 (0-3 to portugal, ouch!), 37 (0-3 loss to croatia -was awful that day too, ouch!), 33 (2-1 to korea, ouch):cool:
Puyol recovered from injury to regain his place on the Barca team and played with 'vigour' in their last few games, just like like the Puyol of old, doesn't compare to that geriatric Mattheus.
His absence from the Spanish team makes little difference to us as they have plenty of replacements.

[paul_oshea]

I know it's mad to suggest leaving out the team captain and top scorer but I think for the game against Spain there might be a case for some comination of Walters/Doyle/Long. Let's face it there's not going to be any ball coming through the middle and getting played into Robbie's feet. 90% of the ball Ireland play forward will be hoofed into the channels for the front men to hold up and the wingers to come and support them. Walters, Doyle and Long would be much more physically imposing against what is Spain's possible weak spot and they can all run the channels well. Keane would be more inclined to drop into the middle of the pitch looking for ball to feet and possibly inviting more pressure as his strike partner will be left to run the channels and attempt to hold the ball up and phsically battle the Spanish defence alone.

I think that would be the best option, the game against Russia was a prime example, had we two big men up front holding the ball up and playing mcgeady and duff, if they switched wings, would have retained a lot more possession and possibly even created a few scoring chances. But Trap still feels he is our most potent striker with the greatest chance of taking the odd chance that may come our way, so i cant see him changing.

[SkStu]

edge: Ireland

[French Toasht]

Ireland to wear black armbands against Italy to mark the 18th anniversary of the Loughlinisland tragedy where the UVF killed 6 men watching Ireland vs Italy in the World Cup.

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2012/0517/breaking12.html

[paul_oshea]

Thats a very nice gesture isnt it?

[DeLorean]

That photograph is haunting. RIP

[paul_oshea]

What are the chances of another 1-0? I can actually see that now, just a strange feeling.

[DannyInvincible]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j6fVaXHSIsY&feature=youtu.be

Dunphy's an optimist?!

[DannyInvincible]

Also, first 'Après Match' of the summer:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mp8m1wPguQo&feature=youtu.be

[Crosby87]

What would be everyone's preferred result of Spain Italy?

[French Toasht]

What would be everyone's preferred result of Spain Italy?

Spain to beat Italy and Croatia by cricket scores and a 0-0 between Italy and Croatia.

[EastTerracer]

Trap's statement after training on Thursday - it's funny how his English is perfect when he is talking about the weather at the start :p
O1tODD3cXJU

[BonnieShels]

That's brilliant at the start.

Nearly four years down the line I still can't get my head around the idea that that man is our coach.
Getting super giddy now.

[Stuttgart88]

Yeah, me too. Just the fact that the papers are full of the BIG again is brilliant.

[DannyInvincible]

Yeah, me too. Just the fact that the papers are full of the BIG again is brilliant.

Just as long as it's not another Saipan. :)

I'm beginning to get butterflies. Only 33,699 minutes to go now.

[AlaskaFox]

Trap's statement after training on Thursday - it's funny how his English is perfect when he is talking about the weather at the start :p


I think the weather is the only thing I remember from doing Irish and French in school. "Tá scamaill sa spéir. Tá sé ag cur báistí." "Le soleil brille sur tout le monde." etc.

[tetsujin1979]

I think the weather is the only thing I remember from doing Irish and French in school. "Tá scamaill sa spéir. Tá sé ag cur báistí." "Le soleil brille sur tout le monde." etc.
Ta geansai orm. Tuair dom an caca milis. Ciunas bothar cailin bainne, etc and so forth

[paul_oshea]

An bhfuil cead agam ag dul go dti an leithris?

Ta ocras orm. I really am lucky someone is preparing something for me now.

I still think Traps grasp of english is better than he lets on at times. But i also think that Trap is one of those people who likes to be very precise, maybe somewhat OCD(or CDO), and his mind races so quickly that he gets conflustered and it doesn't help him make his point as he wishes.

[Stuttgart88]

I still think Traps grasp of english is better than he lets on at times. I'd say the same about you sometimes!

Good Irish btw.

[Crosby87]

They have good player. Keane. The Duff.

[backstothewall]

I think the weather is the only thing I remember from doing Irish and French in school. "Tá scamaill sa spéir. Tá sé ag cur báistí." "Le soleil brille sur tout le monde." etc.

I reckon Trap could give you directions to the train station in almost perfect English

[paul_oshea]

Why does the educational system think that you just end up in the middle of a city from nowhere? Surely you got there either via the airport or train station already so why would be asking for it in the first place?

[Stuttgart88]

Getting super giddy now.Just bought my green "team of Gary Breens" t-shirt. Evemn giddier now.

[BonnieShels]

Just bought my green "team of Gary Breens" t-shirt. Evemn giddier now.

Get that from where did you?

That's just given me a flashback to the night of the 1-1 v Estonia and the whole of the downstairs at RíRá got in a big circle and sang the Gary Breen song. Amazing.

[Stuttgart88]

Some good Irish t-shirts here (http://casarebelde.com/?product_cat=you-boys-in-green)

I'd prefer a green Richard Dunne one with the IRON CURTAIN logo instead

[DeLorean]

The Gary Breen one is quality alright, next best is probably the Subbuteo one. The Godfather one is good too but not great for the bit of colour!

[The Fly]

Dunphy's an optimist?!

He's also a wizard on the tin whistle. :eek:

Jesus wept at 2:16.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-3cAfBpNzPo#!

[jbyrne]

He's also a wizard on the tin whistle. :eek:

Jesus wept at 2:16.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-3cAfBpNzPo#!

is that Tardelli on drums at 1.06??

[strangeirish]

He's also a wizard on the tin whistle. :eek:

Jesus wept at 2:16.

I don't think he used the best tin whistle at his disposal there. Shocking performance and downright ugly playing. Overrated to say the least.

:wink:

[geysir]

And that's just the miming effort.

[gastric]

Keith is confident. Now please transform this confidence into wins!

http://www.independent.ie/breaking-news/sport/ireland-are-full-of-confidence-andrews-3112991.html

[Closed Account]

Keith is confident. Now please transform this confidence into wins!

http://www.independent.ie/breaking-news/sport/ireland-are-full-of-confidence-andrews-3112991.htmlI believe in Super Keith
http://www.oldbaggies.com/cms/uploads/images/wolves/Keith%20Andrews%20%20Celebrates.jpg

[boysingreen]

Article on Italy: http://espnfc.com/us/en/news/1075849/italyfuture-full-promise-.html


He could point to how Italy has yet to be beaten in a competitive match under his tenure; how it booked its place in Poland and Ukraine nice and early, winning its group in relative comfort with the best defense across all of qualifying for Euro 2012; how it has performed above expectations in recording a draw away to Germany in Dortmund and a victory at home to Spain in tests organized and designed to gauge his team’s progress.

[Crosby87]

Villa officially ruled out
http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=david+villa+out+of+euro+2012&source=web&cd=5&ved=0CFYQFjAE&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.dailymail.co.uk%2Fsport%2Ffoo tball%2Farticle-2148391%2FEURO-2012-David-Villa-misses-Spain-squad-injury.html&ei=aSu8T-_TJ8zG6AH5npVG&usg=AFQjCNEeRyD78KXaChj61TW3e7H17iAV6g

[Murfinator]

Spain are screwed without both Villa and Puyol, these are men they cannot replace. I'd revise my estimation of their run without these guys, Spain could really struggle and have a difficult tournament now.
My money would be on Germany at this stage.

[Stuttgart88]

My money's on Germany too, as it happens. Even without Villa and Puyol I think Spain, or at least the Barcelona contingent, are tired looking. Torres looks spritely again though and will be feeling pretty fresh and pumped up. He's still a quality player.

[tetsujin1979]

Italy are playing Russia on the 26th, might be worth watching to see how the team that topped our qualification group fare against a team we'll be facing in only a few short weeks.

[Mr A]

What would be everyone's preferred result of Spain Italy?

A draw, overshadowed by the fact that all players from both squads end up dead or injured and which is also notable for the fact both teams field ineligible players leading to three points being taken off each of them.

If there were laser beams and honey badgers involved somehow, that would be a bonus, but let's not take the mick here.

[Crosby87]

Ask a stupid question.....

[geysir]

Even if all that happened, our chances of qualifying out of the group are still very slim.

[shakermaker1982]

Jonathan Wilson tweeted this yesterday....

Before Ireland this time round, only two nations have come to Euros 24 years after their previous appearance - France in 84 and Greece 2004. Both won.

Destinty?!

[Stuttgart88]

Spain are screwed without both Villa and Puyol, these are men they cannot replace. I'd revise my estimation of their run without these guys, Spain could really struggle and have a difficult tournament now.
My money would be on Germany at this stage.Anyone fancy France? I think they are a totally different proposition to that of the star gazer's era. I think they could do well and upset some of the more fancied teams.

[boysingreen]

Italy are playing Russia on the 26th, might be worth watching to see how the team that topped our qualification group fare against a team we'll be facing in only a few short weeks.

Are you sure about that? ESPN has Italy's fixtures as:

5/29 Luxembourg (H) 2:45 PM ET Int
6/1 Russia (H) 2:45 PM ET Int

ET being NY time (-5 from Irish time.)

[AlaskaFox]

Jonathan Wilson tweeted this yesterday....

Before Ireland this time round, only two nations have come to Euros 24 years after their previous appearance - France in 84 and Greece 2004. Both won.

Destinty?!

Nice to see him quote me from about a month ago without attributing it.

[tetsujin1979]

Are you sure about that? ESPN has Italy's fixtures as:

5/29 Luxembourg (H) 2:45 PM ET Int
6/1 Russia (H) 2:45 PM ET Int

ET being NY time (-5 from Irish time.)

sorry, misunderstood this tweet from Zonal Marking: https://twitter.com/Zonal_Marking/status/205337258931396608

Just been writing a schedule of pre-Euro friendlies. Summary: 26th the busiest day, Russia v Italy the only game between two qualified teams

[jbyrne]

croatia 3 estonia 1 tonight. largely a 2nd string croatian team i believe

[French Toasht]

croatia 3 estonia 1 tonight. largely a 2nd string croatian team i believe

Match report here:

http://www.uefa.com/friendlies/season=2012/matches/round=2000293/match=2010159/postmatch/report/index.html

[DannyInvincible]

Came across a few interviews and things on our BBC Euro 2012 page (http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/teams/republic-of-ireland).

St. Ledger interview: http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/18108613#asset

Mark Lawrenson on our ("their") chances: http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/18166360#asset

[DannyInvincible]

Spain are playing Serbia in Switzerland at the minute. It's 0-0 with the second half just having kicked off.

Spain's starting line-up was:

Casillas; Juanfran, Ramos, Albiol, Alba; Navas, Bruno, Xabi Alonso, Cazorla; Soldado, Negredo.

Silva, Adrián, Beñat and Domínguez now on for Negredo, Soldado, Xabi Alonso and Ramos.