Group C Euro 2012 General Discussion

[MeathDrog]

1-1 now..

[boysingreen]

Spain 4 - 1 South Korea, FT.

[gastric]

I had a dream of Paul McShane defending against Spain and then I woke up and realised it was a nightmare. Please be fit O'Shea and Kelly!

[Charlie Darwin]

Former Germany striker Carsten Jancker has tipped Ireland to emerge from the group ahead of Italy and Croatia.

http://au.fourfourtwo.com/news/24161...-disaster.aspx

[the bear]

any one see the referendum posters:

Support Ireland at euro2012, VOTE NO

[DannyInvincible]

FAI weren't too pleased about that: http://www.thejournal.ie/fai-unhappy...67921-May2012/

A spokesperson told TheJournal.ie: “We’re unhappy with the misrepresentation as we haven’t come out for or against the treaty and this gives the impression that we’re against the treaty”.

The spokesperson said that the FAI had not made any attempts to ask Sinn Féin to take the poster down but wanted to make it clear that the party did not ask their permission to use an image of the Irish football team.

A spokesperson for Sinn Féin said the image was of “footballers” and not specifically of the Republic of Ireland soccer team, adding that there had been no communication from the FAI about taking down the posters.

“We haven’t been made a representation of the FAI’s views, but if they issue correspondence we will deal with that at that time,” he added.

If that's not the Ireland team on the posters lined up facing the tricolour for the anthem, in accordance with custom, who else could it be?

[Murfinator]

Spain are playing South Korea this evening. 1-0 up in the first half through Torres.

Spain lineup as below:
G 23 Pepe Reina
D 15 Sergio Ramos
D 2 Raúl Albiol
D 3 Nacho Monreal
D 17 Álvaro Arbeloa
M 14 Xabi Alonso
M 10 Beñat
M 20 Santi Cazorla
M 21 David Silva
F 9 Fernando Torres
F 13 Juan Mata

Adding in the Barca and Bilbao players I'd guess their starting XI to be:

G Cassilas
DR Sergio Ramos
DC Gerard Pique
DC Raul Albiol
DL Alvao Arbeloa
DM Sergio Busquets
DLP Xabi Alonso
CM Xavi
AM Andres Iniesta
AM David Silva
F Fernando Llorente

Tough to call, they've started Carzola, Fabregas and Jesus Navas at different stages and the form of Pedro may have some bearing on selection.

[Junior]

Italy V Russia on ESPN tonight around 5:30pm I believe. Might be of interest. (Think Tets posted this elsewhere but just in case anyone missed it).

[boysingreen]

Thanks for the reminder on Italy match!!

[boysingreen]

Russia 3 - 0 Italy, FT. All goals in the second half. 1st goal was decent play from Russia, 2nd was a botched sliding tackle clearance by the backup Italian goalie which left Russia an open net, and the 3rd was a lazy/sloppy clearance by a defender around the 89' that was headed home. Wouldn't read an awful lot into it, but hardly helps Italian morale on the back of the scandal. I believe this was their last friendly before the tournament.

Wasn't focused enough on the game to give much of a recap. I know Pirlo went off early in the second half as did Buffon.

Was surprised how much Italy were getting forward in the first half. Pirlo dinked a nice ball forward, which was slotted across the 6 yard box and a diving Balotelli just missed putting it away.

Pirlo remains their biggest threat if you ask me. His age doesn't affect his game, he still can unlock a defense at a moment's notice, from nothing.

[DannyInvincible]

Was following intermittently myself. Italy were a bit of a joke at the back. Things admittedly went pear-shaped after Buffon was replaced at half-time. Russia's finishing in the first-half was similar to their finishing against us in Moscow. Could have won by more had they not been blazing them over and wide. Cassano missed a great chance, but Russia won deservedly.

[boysingreen]

Hungary defeated Czech Republic 2-1. Glad to hear that, should make for a good test for us.

[elroy]

It appears that the weakness in the Italian and Croatian teams is their defence. Ironically that is probably where we are strongest. Not in the individuals employed there but more so the unit and sum of the parts. Plus I think our strikeforce, all five of them are as good a crop we have to choose from as any time in the last 30 years. Of course our greatest weakness is midfield and this is the area where I expect Croatia and Italy to dominate us most.

[Crosby87]

Sometimes Russia looks like they could beat anyone and sometimes they look mediocre at best. I blame Putin.

[Closed Account]

Norway 1-1 Croatia
Elyounoussi(91) Eduardo(80)

Awaiting a report..... but it won't exactly fill the Irish squad with fear.

[boysingreen]

Slaven Bilic: "We couldn't have a better warm-up for the opening match against Ireland. Norway are something like Ireland, they're two teams very similar in their style of play and team ability. The match in Oslo will show us where we are a week before our first match. I believe I will get my answers tomorrow. The result is always important and a victory here would bring a better atmosphere and confidence to the team."

What do you guys make of the comparison?

[geysir]

There are similarities, but Norway don't hoof the ball like we do.
As regards the game as a test for Croatia, they didn't use the opportunity, so Bilic saying Croatia 'couldn't have a better warm-up', doesn't cut the mustard.

Of some relevance, Olic came off with a strain and Modric didn't play due to fitness concerns.

[BonnieShels]

I'm getting more and more confident and giddy as we get nearer.

[Stuttgart88]

Modric was ill I heard, so unless he's got malaria I suspect he'll be OK.

[thischarmingman]

Not sure where to leave this, so putting it here. Maybe there should be a thread for articles published about the team over the next few weeks..

http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2...public-ireland