And that's just the miming effort.
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And that's just the miming effort.
Keith is confident. Now please transform this confidence into wins!
http://www.independent.ie/breaking-n...s-3112991.html
I believe in Super KeithQuote:
Originally Posted by gastric
http://www.oldbaggies.com/cms/upload...Celebrates.jpg
Article on Italy: http://espnfc.com/us/en/news/1075849...-promise-.html
Quote:
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.
Villa officially ruled out
http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j...1TW3e7H17iAV6g
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.
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.
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.
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.Quote:
Originally Posted by Crosby87
If there were laser beams and honey badgers involved somehow, that would be a bonus, but let's not take the mick here.
Ask a stupid question.....
Even if all that happened, our chances of qualifying out of the group are still very slim.
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?!
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.Quote:
Originally Posted by Murfinator
Are you sure about that? ESPN has Italy's fixtures as:Quote:
Originally Posted by tetsujin1979
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.)
Nice to see him quote me from about a month ago without attributing it.Quote:
Originally Posted by shakermaker1982
sorry, misunderstood this tweet from Zonal Marking: https://twitter.com/Zonal_Marking/st...37258931396608Quote:
Originally Posted by boysingreen
Quote:
Just been writing a schedule of pre-Euro friendlies. Summary: 26th the busiest day, Russia v Italy the only game between two qualified teams
croatia 3 estonia 1 tonight. largely a 2nd string croatian team i believe
Match report here:Quote:
Originally Posted by jbyrne
http://www.uefa.com/friendlies/seaso...ort/index.html
Came across a few interviews and things on our BBC Euro 2012 page.
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
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.
Spain ended up winning 2-0. Adrián scored their first in the 64th and Cazorla scored theirsecond, a penalty, in the 74th.
Spain announced their 23-man squad earlier:
Goalkeepers: Iker Casillas (Real Madrid), Pepe Reina, (Liverpool), Victor Valdes (Barcelona)
Defenders: Alvaro Arbeloa (Real Madrid), Sergio Ramos (Real Madrid), Juanfran (Atletico Madrid), Jordi Alba (Valencia), Raul Albiol (Real Madrid), Gerard Pique (Barcelona), Javi Martinez (Athletic Bilbao)
Midfielders: Xavi (Barcelona), Sergio Busquets (Barcelona), Andres Iniesta (Barcelona), Xabi Alonso (Real Madrid), David Silva (Manchester City), Santi Cazorla (Malaga), Cesc Fabregas (Barcelona), Juan Mata (Chelsea)
Forwards: Jesus Navas (Sevilla), Pedro (Barcelona), Fernando Llorente (Athletic Bilbao), Fernando Torres (Chelsea), Alvaro Negredo (Sevilla)
Quote:
Originally Posted by AlaskaFox
To be fair, some smart ass mentioned that last year....though it may have just been about Hellas. The other lot have won it since.
Breaking news, but 19 people have been arrested in connection with match-fixing in Italy, including Juventus manager Antonio Conte, Lazio captain Stefano Mauri and, most relevant to us, defender Domenico Criscito, who was certain to make the final squad. The provisional squad were supposedly frisked by police and Criscito's room was raided.
Just coming in here to post this. First time in over a year I go on Twitter and it exploded!!!Quote:
Originally Posted by Charlie Darwin
Last time the Italians had a match-fixing scandal they won the World Cup. So let's hope it's more of a distraction this time...
Exactly, they seemed completely unnerved by the whole affair in 2006.Quote:
Originally Posted by SwanVsDalton
On a seperate note, spent the weekend digesting a Euro 2012 magazine they produce over here. Whilst it always surprises me how Trap has such ardent critics back home despite the fact that he has delivered a major championship and brought us back to the top tier of the rankings, it completely amazes me how low expectations are in Croatia and how critical the media and fans are of Slaven Bilic.
For a country with a similar population to Ireland and only a slightly better domestic league, I really can't understand how the national side could in any way be construed to have underachieved.
Ban Criscito please, he's an amazing player. ;)
'Trappatoni is devastated by arrests': http://www.rte.ie/sport/news/2012/05...ed-by-arrests/
Quote:
Republic of Ireland coach Giovanni Trapattoni has described the latest match-fixing scandal to hit Italy as "devastating" and believes it further tarnishes the image of Italian football.
The former Italy boss was shocked by the news that several players, including Lazio captain Stefano Mauri and former Genoa midfielder Omar Milanetto, have been arrested today by police in connection with a match-fixing probe carried out by Cremona prosecutors.
"It is a devastating story," Trapattoni told Gazzetta dello Sport. "If the magistrates are doing something, it is because there is some truth in this.
"I, who have travelled abroad for some time, must say that we give an ugly image of our football.
"As an Italian, the first feeling is that we are mocked abroad, we are always linked to illicit dealings and are considered mafia members.
"This only damages us because I can claim to have paid the price for an attitude that affects everyone."
...
"It's clear that certain stories provoke anger," Trapattoni said. "But it could also give a push (to the team) to prove the clean face of football."
He's out of squad as per FIGC.
Decided to pull out to clear his name etc.
@tancredipalmeri
Criscito is normally a starter I take it?
Yes, he's their first choice left back.
Juventus's Leonardo Bonucci, who is also in the provisional 25-man squad, has also been arrested.
Criscito didn't impress me all that much at the last WC. I took an extra bit of notice of him because I couldn't believe they had left Fabio Grosso out of the squad, who had been a massive player for them in the previous WC and also the Euros in 2008. I think Criscito was even replaced at half time in the final group match against Slovakia, although it may have been more to do with tactics than him being particularly poor.
He's a top player, a strong bet for being the best left back in the world in a few years. He's still only 25.Quote:
Originally Posted by boysingreen
(this is good news for us basically)
all these scandals (Italy), injuries (Spain) and historical mental weakness (Croatia) are giving me palpitations...
All of the above will make it all the more embarrassing when we are turfed out bottom of the table on June 18th.Quote:
Originally Posted by SkStu
We must trust. M'Gedy. Paul Green. The mentality.
Embarrassing?? Im just proud that we're there.Quote:
Originally Posted by weldoninhio
welcome back weldondhino.whatever happened that 3-0 massacre you predicted for us.
id love if you opened a bookies id be yer best customer!